Antebellum's Meaning Compels Band to Change Name to "Lady A"

With the history of slavery and oppression attached to antebellum's meaning, the hit country trio Lady Antebellum changes their name to Lady A, in a band announcement released Thursday, June 11.

The Grammy Award-winning country has released a statement regarding their decision. "As a band, we have strived for our music to be a refuge... inclusive of all," the statement began. The band explained that they've "watched and listened more than ever" over the previous weeks. They said that the earlier events had opened their eyes to the "injustices, inequality, and biases" experienced by black people, leaving Lady Antebellum meaning to change their name.

"Now, blindspots we didn't even know existed have been revealed," Lady A wrote.

The statement explained that after its members' reflection, discussion, and conversation with their black friends and colleagues. They would be dropping "antebellum," meaning the slavery-associated period of the South.. They will now move forward with "Lady A." The band credited their fans for the nickname.

In their defense, the original band name was from the "Antebellum" styled homes in the South. Lady Antebellum once had a photoshoot in the traditional houses. These buildings date back from the mid-18th century to the mid-19th century. In US History, the Antebellum refers to the period before the American Civil War in 1861. It was also known as the plantation era. A large part of its economic growth heavily relied on the African-American slaves at the time.

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"As musicians, it reminded us of all the music born in the South that influenced us," the statement continued. They expressed regret and embarrassment for failing to take into account of the entire history connected with the period and the term.

Although the band said that it was not their intention, Lady Antebellum has been meaning to apologize for the hurt their name choice might have caused, including "anyone who has felt unsafe, unseen, or unvalued."

A Wave of Awareness Against Racism and Police Brutality

Lady Antebellum's decision to change names is the latest display of growing awareness and sensitivity against racial discrimination in the US. Major music and entertainment companies temporarily suspended business last June 2, as a show of solidarity.

Thursday, June 11, A&E has canceled the police reality show "Live PD." In a statement to CNN, the police series' home network A&E said: "This is a critical time in our nation's history and we have made the decision to cease production on Live PD." The network also stated that they would determine if there is a clear way to tell the police officers' stories and the community they serve.

Also, the long-running police show "Cops" has been canceled. The Fox flagship reality program has been on air since March 1989. It has aired more than 1,100 episodes across its 33 seasons. Paramount said that there are no "current or future plans for it to return."

In the video streaming platform Netflix, two shows have been recently pulled out. "The Mighty Boosh" and "The League of Gentlemen" have been made temporarily unavailable for viewers. These two shows were pulled out because of its use of "blackface."

Even historic animation studio Looney Tunes have made a radical change in one of its oldest characters. Bugs Bunny's oblivious foe, Elmer Fudd, will no longer use a gun in the upcoming Looney Tunes cartoons. Instead, the iconic hunter will be using a scythe and the other cartoony props such as TNTs and falling anvils.

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Lady Antebellum, Change