No more Antebellum …

Lady Antebellum is changing its name to Lady A, with members saying they are regretful and embarrassed for not taking into consideration the word’s associations with slavery.  The band announced the name change on their socials this morning (Thursday June 11).

“Antebellum” is a word derived from the Latin phrase “ante bellum,” which literally means “before the war.” The term dates back to the 1840s, Merriam-Webster explains, and became associated with the pre-Civil War era after the fact.

While Lady A say they have been “awakened” in recent weeks, they also acknowledge that their name change is “just one step” in continuing to fight for racial equality in America.

Dear fans… pic.twitter.com/7JlcH2NMl6

— Lady A (@ladya) June 11, 2020