Jesse adds voice to Grammy protest

Jan 29, 2012 |

Reuters

Civil rights activist the Rev.Jesse Jackson on Friday urged Grammy organisers to reinstate 31 ethnic and minority musical categories that have been cut fromthe music industry’s top awards.

In a letter to Recording Academy president Neil Portnow, sent three weeks before the Feb. 12 Grammy Awards show, Jac-kson said the elimination of awards for Native American and Hawaiian musicians, and cuts in Latin Jazz and other categories wereill-considered and unfair. Jackson said some of the categories dropped by the Recording Academy in a major overhaul last year “constitute the very heart of the music that nourishes and inspires minority communities.” Jackson called for an urgent meeting with Portnow to try and resolve the conflict that has spurred protests by leading musicians.

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