A Better No Treble
It has taken me weeks to write this post. It’s been several weeks of deep reflection, due in large part to where we are – specifically in the United States – on the racial injustice happening far too frequently, and for far too long.
As I’ve shared before, I started No Treble over 11 years ago in a quest to support the global bass playing community. In many ways, we’ve been successful in doing that. I’ve always taken enormous pride in how we’ve shared the work of so many diverse bassists around the globe.
But during this time of reflection, I realized I’ve fallen short in an extremely important category. Taking a deep and honest look at our platform, I’ve failed to apply the same diversity with our contributors as I have with the people we feature. While this was never intentional, I realized this was a huge oversight on my part.
I sincerely apologize for that. I vow to make that better.
Part of the plan moving forward is to enlist a Board of Advisors. To start things off, I asked my good friend Vuyani Wakaba to be the first member of this board. Many of you know Vuyani because he’s an incredible human being and a connector of people. For those who don’t, I look forward to you getting to know him better and seeing his positive influence here. Vuyani and I have met and messaged each other quite a bit recently, and I’m so grateful for his thoughtfulness, love, and support. We will be adding others to the board in the near future. The first step is to focus on our contributors. After that, there are a lot of ideas in the works to expand beyond that important step.
I have a lot of ideas on my own, but I thrive on collaboration. I’m going to have my ears open more than my mouth because I want No Treble to continue to be a place where all are welcome and to make sure our platform is doing the right thing. I know I can also rely heavily on Kevin Johnson, who has been by my side on this for almost as long as we’ve been around.
I’ve never shared this publicly, but I’ve covered a good part of No Treble’s expenses over the course of 11-plus years to keep the site running. I’m only sharing that to make the point that this really isn’t a business – or if it is, it is a bad one! I’ve always sided with doing the right thing over profits.
To my white friends and fellow business owners, I encourage you to go through a period of reflection in your own businesses. It isn’t enough to say “I’m not a racist.” We need to make sure we’re doing our part to make this world a better place and to actually say “I’m against racism and will do my part to end it.”
Thank you for being here, and again, I apologize for not seeing this sooner.
Most importantly, welcome Vuyani! I love you, and I’m so honored to work with you on this.
Thanks for writing this. I’ve been in the bicycle industry for 40 years, it is almost entirely white male. While it is obvious we need to change that in order to better serve, grow, and reflect our community and customer base, there has been very little actively done, myself being as guilty as anyone. It is not enough to just ‘not have racist thoughts’. I have had to acknowledge my shortcomings in not continually taking steps in the direction we all need and want to go. The last month has been a big wake-up call to many, and we can only hope things have permanently changed, and commit to helping drive that change in whatever way we can.
Thank you for that, David. There’s a lot of important work ahead. I’m glad to hear you’re on that path.
Just make music. Music has no skin color.
It’s all colors and when you start putting politics on it, it destroys it.
If you Give words power It’s the end.
When you refuse to acknowledge the culture that created Blues, Jazz, Funk, Soul, RnB, Hip Hip, Reggae, and even Rock n’ Roll, that ignorance kills the music. Black culture is ubiquitous throughout almost ALL genres and sub-genres of music. This is not politics, this is a simple fact. Whether you like it or not, Black Music Matters. Without it we have nothing.
*Hip Hop
I like that term HIP HIP Music
HIP HIP HOORAY!!!
You are Doing a Great Job Corey I am Proud to call you a friend .
Without the creators of the sampler,guitar,bass and wood instruments we have nothing.all I’m saying is music doesn’t see skin color it brings us all together. Stop the hate
Humans are a tribal species they will always find a way to hate one another.
It’s not at all surprising that you would see the simple acknowledgement of Black (African) culture in music as offensive, or as “hate”. It is not only typical, but it is, as James Baldwin so accurately stated, “the white man’s profound desire not to be judged by those who are not white”. All the more reason for the folks at No Treble to be commended for this new direction. But instead of congratulations, you choose to answer with disdain, essentially telling them that the absolute ignorance and apathy that has failed to acknowledge BIPOC for centuries should continue. The fact that my calling you out for that would be seen as hate is not my problem. That is your insecurity. This is a time of reckoning, and we should all be giving No Treble our full support for this admirable new direction.
Get off your high horse meathead.
Wtf are you talking about??
Never did I say anything about black culture in music,that was you.
No treble should have been doing it all along but now it’s hip to do it.
Like I said give words power and it ends.
FYI I’m not white
I’m sorry I called you a meathead.
Congrats on the no trebles change.
Best of luck with your fight rich brow.
All is cool. I apologize for my incorrect assumptions. And I appreciate your apology, as well as your well wishes.
peace
Billy, I’m not sure if I know you, but I want to say that this is 100% NOT about politics. Nothing in my post was political either. This is about human decency, and acknowledging what needs to be done. I know there are some people in this world who want to make this political. I am not one of those people.
Sorry. Didn’t know I could message. I did write you an email on my thoughts in case you care. Later. Jamie
Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
I am looking forward to the board of advisors “new” direction – and please keep up the good work with the website.
Thank you, FMo! We’re ready to do the work!
This news made me so happy I went online and purchased some stickers and a shirt to continue to support this awesome site. Thanks Corey!
You are the best, Dan. Thank you so much!
I know you have a good heart and always strive to be fair and just. It’s great you’re looking to improve an already excellent site! Keep on keeping on!
Thanks, Rob! We’re ready to get to work and do our part.
Good work. Thank you.
Thank you, Glucose Grin!
Cory No Treble is a reflection of you, which is a class act , as well as legit learning platform, of which, I am most grateful to have as a resource. Great job on No Treble. Be kind to your heart
Thanks, Derek. I owe so much to the people who have been a part of this, and I’m looking forward to making it an even better place.
Cory No Treble has /is a great resource for us low-enders. I could of used y’all 50 years ago when I started my bass journey. Keep the circle turning, keep the fire burning….we are all with you.
Congrats Corey!!! Definitely a step in the right direction!!!
Thank you so much – reflection is as important as looking forward, maybe more so, but it tends to be neglected. This is a time when we should not only reflect, but take action. #BLM
Beautiful Corey! Thank you so much to you, Kevin, No Treble and the team for everything that you do, but in particular this post! II agree Vuyani Wakaba is a wonderful person. Your intentions are solid and heartfelt. Wishing you all my best for the months and years to come.
Music is part of the reason I broke out of the bubble I was raised in. Being a mixed person, raised by the white half of my family, it was music where I found my culture. Not a specific regional or racial culture, but the heart of the groove. This has been the nexus where so many people have come to experience the message and heartbeat of each other’s heritage. To acknowledge that so much of this came from POC is important. Thank you for this article. Music opened my eyes, my heart, and my soul to repair the misconceptions I had about people who did not look like the community I was raised in.