History 2134A/B Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Pete Seeger, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Folk Music
2 Mar 2017
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Paul robeson: african american actor and musician. Attended columbia law school he was very well established considering the racial climate at the time: father had been subject to the worst slavery conditions in the usa, travelled to russia, became enamoured with communism. Folk music: folk music of the people. Generally acoustic, anyone can play these songs due to very simple composition. Gives a voice to the lower classes, those who were marginalised: labour unions would use folk songs as a tool for union organisation. Used to attract new members, instil a consciousness of workers get them to think about the messages. Important in enforcing solidarity in the picket line, to remind them why they were there: the great depressio(cid:374) (cid:894)(cid:1005)93(cid:1004)"s(cid:895) robust and popular time for folk music in usa. There was a lot for folk singers to sing about, inspiration abundant: during the great depression, people felt powerless in the face of big corporations, celebration of survival against rough odds.
