apropos of the discussion of music publications ignoring Black rock artists and Black labels: it matters who you have directing the editorial vision of yr pubs and it matters what writers you assign coverage to

it is impossible for every publication to cover every release, but making sure entire demographics of artists don't get systemically overlooked because of existing biases in the industry should be written into every single editorial strategy imo

i don't mean it in a quota-y, diversity-checkbox sort of way. i mean it in a constantly-keeping-yr-eyes-and-ears-open-to-what's-out-there-including-stuff-that-doesn't-come-through-the-standard-channels way

and also, evaluating yr own blind spots and biases! for instance, i do not like pop punk. that is why sometimes i ask people who do if a particular release is good, and pay attention to what people who do are talking about

and in the case of the Overrepresentation of White People, if all yr sources for coverage inside OR outside yr wheelhouse are providing you universally with artists who look the exact same, question that. go digging. i guarantee you you're overlooking artists who deserve coverage

i realize not everyone is directed towards the margins the way i am, but it pays to look that way now and again. :)