In regards to OffBeat’s much-blogged and –talked about March cover:

We admit that we showed a terrible lack of judgment and insensitivity towards our readers who may have taken offense to a reference to the Billie Holiday song, which has become symbolic of racial injustice.  Any reference—verbally or visually—to racial issues was never our intention, but we are now acutely aware that the words “Strange Fruit” still resonate as a symbol of the evils that result from racial issues. We apologize for our egregious error.

I’d also like to take a minute to tell the people who blogged about the cover that I’m sorry I lashed out, which is my nature and temperament. When you know that your intentions were not what’s been portrayed out there, frustrations rise to the surface. I do respect your opinions, and I’m very glad that this happened. It’s been a real teaching moment for me personally.

We at OffBeat look at this incident as an opportunity to an open discussion of the use of certain phrases in the vernacular.  Hopefully, in the future,  instead of attacking OffBeat’s reputation and supposed intent, let’s have a reasonable discussion about how this resonates with all of our readers.