'I've changed music four or five times. What have you done of any importance other than be white?'
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The speaker contrasts his artistic evolution with a challenge to another person's accomplishments regarding race and identity.
- In plain terms
- I changed music many times, what has you done besides being white?
- What can you take from it?
- Artistic evolution outweighs static identity markers.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What legacy have you built beyond identity?
- How do you measure true accomplishment?
Another view
The quote relies on an ad hominem attack rather than a constructive argument.
More from Miles Davis
'For me, music and life are all about style.'
Permalink to quote #1 The music has gotten thick. Guys give me tunes and they're full of chords. I can't play them...I think a movement in jazz is beginning away from the convention…
Permalink to quote #3 'If somebody told me I only had an hour to live, I'd spend it choking a white man. I'd do it nice and slow.'
Permalink to quote #4
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