We're coming to the end of Pride Month, which is happening during a vital and unprecedented public conversation about systemic racism and police violence. At the intersection of these concerns is advocating for the rights of transgender people of color, a vulnerable community that faces a significantly increased risk of violence, including in interactions with law enforcement.
Flummox is a local art-metal outfit, led by singer and songwriter Alyson Blake Dellinger. You might recognize the group if you checked out the Nashville Song Swap back in the spring. Flummox has recorded a new single called “Trans Girls Need Guns” that looks at fighting back against violence against trans people, which they've chosen to release today, on the 51st anniversary of the Stonewall uprising. Sonically, the tune is a hair-raising blend of hardcore punk and thrash metal with a jazzy, proggy tilt. In an email to the Scene, Dellinger writes about some of the nuances of navigating layers of privilege.
“A few times a week, I see another story about another woman who has been murdered or brutalized, in an act of wanton bigotry or police brutality, just for being trans,” writes Dellinger. “As a trans woman myself, it hits me personally and makes me much more aware of my own mortality. Of course, trans folks aren’t the only folks who can say this kind of thing. With everything that has been going on recently with the Black Lives Matter protests, and the rise of hate crimes towards people of color and LGBTQ+ folks alike, it’s been up to the communities to protect themselves and their own rather than depend on a corrupt, patriarchal system that does not work for them.
“This is not a song about taking the approach of an offensive assault, but rather defending oneself and protecting those who are less privileged. A system written against us will never work in our favor. A system written against our siblings will never work for us either. Sometimes bricks must be thrown, but you always have to be cautious on how you do so. I might be transgender, but I’m also a privileged white girl. If I carry a firearm (which, I ironically enough do not own since I have not had the proper training, which IS essential), it’s going to be looked at by authorities a lot differently than a person of color carrying one. … Recognizing your privileges, I believe, is the only way of moving forward and utilizing those privileges to help and protect those who have less in our society.”
We're pleased to premiere the track — give it a spin via the Bandcamp embed below. Also, listen out for an interview with Dellinger at 9 p.m. on 102.9-FM The Buzz, and keep up with the group on Facebook.
