You can celebrate difference without it keeping people apart. Calling an awards show the MOBOs doesn't make me feel excluded, as I realise it's just a catchy-sounding name and not some strike against whitey.

if we all originated in Africa or the 'fertile crescent' and pale skin was an evolutionary development for colder climates (hiding from sabre-toothed tigers in the snow?) and music is natural for mankind (which I believe it is) - then all music is MOBO.

even with 'classical' music, Italy is across the med from north africa - who is to say that the traders of Venice or the other sea-faring nations did not bring back musical influences?

listen to Afro-Celt Sound System / Afro-Celts - their easy fusion of Celtic and North African music suggests musical links dating back a long way. astounding though it seems, Britain was trading with the ancient Egyptians and our 'indigenous' musical roots are shared with north africa for at least 3,000 years - I can't recall which era of Egypt the evidence of trade goes back to, so it may be 5,000.

I don't really like the 'MOBO' brand, but it is probably no more discriminatory in theory than Kerrang...although if he had lived, Hendrix would doubtless be picking up awards from both.

I agree with this post. As a white person I'm not offended by the title at all - but I think it can give rise to neo-conservatives who will ignorantly claim "it's one rule for 'blacks' another for 'whites'" (without stopping to consider the history of ethnic minority groups and the experience of such groups in a largely white Britain). I personally don't feel strongly enough about it to campaign for a name change.