Country Band Lady Antebellum Changes Its Name Due To Slavery Association
Image via s_bukley / Shutterstock.com
The American country group formerly known as Lady Antebellum has changed its name to Lady A, as the original moniker had painful associations with slavery.
The group previously used the word “antebellum” to pay homage to architecture in the southern states of America before the Civil war, and described of being unaware of the reference to the slavery era.
However, the anti-racism protests in the nation propelled the members to rename after becoming more educated about “the injustices, inequality, and biases Black women and men have always faced.” The band admitted to have overlooked “blindspots [it] didn’t know existed.”
Lady A took to social media to issue an apology, as well as provide an explanation for the name change. The post shows the members’ first photos together that were taken 14 years ago, which saw the group standing in front of an antebellum house. Back then, it reminded them of Southern music, a central inspiration for their music.
Now, they are “regretful and embarrassed” for not looking into the pre-Civil War associations tied to the word, which included slavery.
After having discussions with Black friends and coworkers, Lady A decided to move forward with the new shortened name. “We can make no excuses for our lateness to this realization. What we can do is acknowledge it, turn from it and take action,” the band’s post reads.
Dear fans... pic.twitter.com/7JlcH2NMl6
— Lady A (@ladya) June 11, 2020
[via The Independent, cover image via s_bukley / Shutterstock.com]
Also check out these recent news
