The Dixie Chicks will now be known as The Chicks to distance themselves from the racist connotations of the name. Dixie referred to the eleven Southern states that seceded from the United States in late 1860 and early 1861 to form the new Confederate States of America.
In a statement, the country trio said, “We want to meet this moment.” They also thanked the New Zealand group The Chicks who allowed them to share the name. The change was announced on Thursday morning via social media and a press release. The new name coincides with the release of their new single, “March March,” which was accompanied by a video that features images of Black Lives Matter, the Human Rights Campaign, the ACLU, Planned Parenthood, March for Our Lives, among others.
Earlier this month, Lady Antebellum shortened its name to Lady A. Antebellum referred to the pre-American Civil War period in the Southern United States. The former Dixie Chicks are no strangers to controversy. In 2003, they were banned by many commercial radio stations in the United States after criticizing George Bush for his pro-war stance during a concert in London.
Eventually the group made a comeback and attracted many new fans. In 2006, their album Taking the Long Way won album, record and song of the year at the Grammys. Their latest album, Gaslighter, is their first in 14 years and will be released on July 17. Although they have consistently toured, they resisted recording a new album until they reunited with producer Jack Antonoff last year.
Since the murder of George Floyd at the hands of a police officer in Minneapolis, many brands are reconsidering their image. Quaker Oats, which produces the Aunt Jemima brand pancake mix and syrup, said it would rebrand the products and do away with the image of its namesake, which dates back to a time when black women were seen as servants and maids.
Other brands, like Uncle Ben’s rice, Mrs. Butterworth’s pancake mix and syrup, and Cream of Wheat porridge, will also replace their current packaging, which has long been considered racist. Aunt and Uncle were how white Southerners referred to older black people to avoid calling them Sir or Madam.