Learning the "Real" History
Between what we’ve learned in Music Since 1800 with Dr. Haefeli and these readings, there is no doubt that music history has a checkered past. Because of prevalent racism and prejudice in societies at the turn of the 20th century, non-white music was either ignored or forced to fit a certain standard. I do believe Alan Lomax was trying to highlight black culture and their impact on music-- I don’t think he’s coming from a “wow this music must be really ‘exotic!’” standpoint. However, he was searching for a type of music that did not exist, and forced listeners of his recordings (really the only bootleg recordings of the time) into believing that this music was “black music.” Obviously, black music had to “fit” the black stereotype of imprisoned people, right? Wrong! I wish people could have learned earlier that music created by whites and music created by blacks were not all that different-- they were just portrayed that way. I didn’t know this was true until this past week when we watched the movie “Rumble” in Music History. Music is such a beautiful gift that we have, and it’s truly a shame that it had to be segregated to fit a racial narrative.
I am very glad that artists like Rhiannon Giddens are beginning to change this narrative and educate others on country music origins. I always thought country music was classified as music that told a story and often included lots of string instruments. It is absolutely a stereotype that country music is for “white people,” and it saddens me to learn that country music was at one time separated by race: White people played country, and black people played the blues-- even if it was the same music! However, in a weird way, it is somewhat refreshing to see that this agenda was particularly manifested by record labels instead of a nationwide segregated agenda. Even though it may be tiring for Giddens to always explain the real backstory of country music, she is educating her audiences (which include many cultural backgrounds) on this important topic in a constructive fashion.
It is up to us as music teachers to change this narrative. The more we educate students on “real” history and the music of other cultures, the less of a gap there will be not just between white and black music, but whites and POC overall. In our culturally responsive AIT: Woodwinds Q&A with Allyssa Jones (founder of Rising Tide Music), she mentioned how all Americans are multicultural. We all come from different musical backgrounds, and since our white music has been shared into the mainstream, what’s wrong with sharing the music of other cultures? Who wouldn’t want more music to listen to? As cheesy as it may sound, the power of music can be used for good: To bridge our divides and share our cultures. I’m glad that Abdelmahmoud’s article is a story of hope rather than despair-- stories of despair don’t move narratives forward. Let’s educate each other on the values of all cultural music.
I am very glad that artists like Rhiannon Giddens are beginning to change this narrative and educate others on country music origins. I always thought country music was classified as music that told a story and often included lots of string instruments. It is absolutely a stereotype that country music is for “white people,” and it saddens me to learn that country music was at one time separated by race: White people played country, and black people played the blues-- even if it was the same music! However, in a weird way, it is somewhat refreshing to see that this agenda was particularly manifested by record labels instead of a nationwide segregated agenda. Even though it may be tiring for Giddens to always explain the real backstory of country music, she is educating her audiences (which include many cultural backgrounds) on this important topic in a constructive fashion.
It is up to us as music teachers to change this narrative. The more we educate students on “real” history and the music of other cultures, the less of a gap there will be not just between white and black music, but whites and POC overall. In our culturally responsive AIT: Woodwinds Q&A with Allyssa Jones (founder of Rising Tide Music), she mentioned how all Americans are multicultural. We all come from different musical backgrounds, and since our white music has been shared into the mainstream, what’s wrong with sharing the music of other cultures? Who wouldn’t want more music to listen to? As cheesy as it may sound, the power of music can be used for good: To bridge our divides and share our cultures. I’m glad that Abdelmahmoud’s article is a story of hope rather than despair-- stories of despair don’t move narratives forward. Let’s educate each other on the values of all cultural music.
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