For those of you who may not know, June is Black Music Month. Which, in truth, should probably be called American Music Month since just about every form of music that is listened to, performed, or taught in this country has its origins in Black music. Except for classical and…well…that’s about it. Country music? Naw. From Firebird Magazine:
“Country music shares its origins with blues, folk, Southern gospel, and spiritual music, genres that originated with Black and/or working-class Americans. These genres, blues and folk music especially, were often used to voice the struggles of marginalized individuals. Despite this influence of Black culture and music on country, commercial decisions made by white industry executives have been excluding black artists for decades, and the genre has been incredibly segregated. Even now, the line between country music and blues music can feel blurry because the hard distinction between the two genres is the result of the industry’s early and continued attempts to establish country as a “white” genre, entirely separate from what they considered ‘race music.’”
“Folk music’s origins in North America came from diverse cultures. European settlers and African slaves brought their own folk traditions with them to the Americas, and these traditions mixed with the folk music traditions of Native American tribes.”
And yet Trump, in his vast expanse of White Christian Nationalist Anglo Saxon cultural wisdom, has declared that the very idea of recognizing any and all contributions to American society that white males didn’t contribute should be henceforth and forevermore tossed onto the flames of his ignorance, there to burn away any semblance of color or non-Caucasian culture.
Now this is what I want you all to do: If you got faults, defects or shortcomings You know, like arthritis, rheumatism or migraines Whatever part of your body it is I want you to lay it on your radio, let the vibes flow through Funk not only moves, it can re-move, dig? The desired effect is what you get When you improve your interplanetary funksmanship Sir Lollipop Man! Chocolate coated, freaky and habit forming Doin' it to you in 3D So groovy that I dig me Once upon a time called Now Somebody say, "Is there funk after death?" I say, "Is seven up?" Yeah, P. Funk
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Many classical pieces were influenced by Black Americans’ music. Dvorak’s New World Symphony comes to mind. I had the great honor of watching Sir Michael Tippett conduct his epic oratorio “A Child of Our Time”. Written as an objection to the
treatment of Jewish refugees during WWII it features spirituals throughout it’s entirety. A massive and powerful work. Thanks for reminding us about music and its part in our lives.
Many classical pieces were influenced by Black Americans’ music. Dvorak’s New World Symphony comes to mind. I had the great honor of watching Sir Michael Tippett conduct his epic oratorio “A Child of Our Time”. Written as an objection to the
treatment of Jewish refugees during WWII it features spirituals throughout it’s entirety. A massive and powerful work. Thanks for reminding us about music and its part in our lives.