MUS 114 Study Guide - Comprehensive Final Exam Guide - African-American Music, Pop Music, Piano
Document Summary
Black minstrelsy is the first american form of popular culture. Reflected social context in which it was made. "in creating a new sense of whiteness by creating a new sense of blackness " (115) Putting others down to make yourself look better. Defining whiteness as something it is not (blackness) Outlet for people to address negative, confusing emotions. Know their place in the new social order. Spirituals seen as "god," blues seen as the "devil" Spirituals draw on themes of religion, god, etc. Focuses more an sexuality, relationships, domestic abuse, violence, anger. In blues, you hear about travel or transience or relationships. Some of this issues were not seen as "social issues" and were therefore not talked about. Made to be legible only for the time it is made. What the artist wants to make you feel vs how you actually feel. Seems really upbeat and happy, which i feel doesn"t match the original interpretation.
