The group announced on Thursday that it will drop the phrase “Antebellum” from the title it has utilised considering that its formation in 2006 and go by Girl A, a nickname it says followers have long utilized.
The adjust, the team reported in a statement, will come soon after knowing the word’s association to slavery.
“When we set out alongside one another just about 14 decades ago, we named our band just after the southern ‘antebellum’ type residence where we took our first images. As musicians, it reminded us of all the audio born in the south that motivated us…southern rock, blues, R&B, gospel and of training course place,” the band mentioned. “But we are regretful and ashamed to say that we did not take into account the associations that weigh down this term referring to the period of historical past prior to the civil war, which incorporates slavery.”
The team, which is made up of musicians Hillary Scott, Dave Haywood and Charles Kelley, added that they are, “are deeply sorry for the harm this has brought on and for anyone who has felt unsafe, unseen or unvalued.”
“Creating suffering was under no circumstances our hearts’ intention, but it doesn’t alter the truth that indeed, it did just that,” they wrote. “So currently, we discuss up and make a improve. We hope you will dig in and be a part of us.”
The improve comes just after, they wrote, a interval of “personalized reflection, band discussion, prayer and several honest discussions with some of our closest black good friends and colleagues.”
“We’ve watched and listened more than ever these last couple weeks, and our hears have been stirred with conviction, our eyes opened extensive to the injustices, inequality and biases black women of all ages and guys have generally confronted and keep on to encounter each and every working day,” they wrote. “Now, blindspots we did not even know existed have been disclosed.”
The band vowed that their name improve is just the initial of several techniques they will acquire in a commitment to “observe antiracism.”
“We will carry on to teach ourselves, have tricky discussions and look for the sections of our hearts that need to have pruning — to expand into far better individuals, improved neighbors,” they wrote. “Our following outward action will be a donation to the equivalent justice initiative by Ladyaid. Our prayer is that if we lead by illustration…with humility, like, empathy and motion…we can be superior allies to people struggling from spoken and unspoken injustices, though influencing our kids and generations to arrive.”
