Black History Month Meaning

As African Americans we have such a rich diverse culture filled with different cuisines, languages and traditions. We definitely should be proud of the many accomplishments that we have made as a people. But in terms of black history it dates back to some of the most inhumane and repulsive actions that African Americans were subjected to. Aside from the racism and segregation that occurred to black people we were also seen as a joke in TV/movie culture back in the day that perpetuated many stereotypes. In the article “Black Stereotypes as Reflected in popular culture” by J. Stanley Lemons he talks about these clichés that were portrayed but most importantly the action of blackface. For me blackface was the most detrimental and had the most

Black theater is as old as the first tribes in Africa who would dance with wooden masks to represent gods or legends (Kerr, p3). The playwrights of this time were the Griots, who were known as the keepers of history in African tribes and mark the beginning of African literary tradition (Freeman.) But when does the development of black playwright actually take off?

1. Coates has a somewhat chilling description of schools. What are some of the phrases he uses to describe them?

The article is about black creative production (theater) since the play is directed by African American playwright Richard Wesley. In addition, the predominantly black casts are spectacular and deliver a strong performance. The ability to be multi-skilled in your craft displays creativity and versatility where the actors can utilize their many talents.

displayed of mixed cultural background to represent the arts on the stage, such as black

I have definitely learned a lot about the Evolution of Music in this class. I found it to be very intriguing. So when I was faced with the chore of deciding what I would do my report on, I chose to use the book Black Music in America by James Haskins. This book gave a detailed account of not only the music genres but it’s performers. American music is made up of music from many different types of ethnic backgrounds. What gives this book a plus is that it highlights aspects American music, and its performers. The people and events that really caught my attention were the concert singers, Minstrelsies, Jubilee songs, and brass bands. Born as a slave, a girl by the

Over the course of the years that Black Studies has been a separate functioning entity, there have been different ideological and political reasons for why Black studies is needed in institutions of higher education. Scholars such as Nathan Hare, John Henrik Clark, John W. Blassingame and Devere E. Pentony have given their own varied rationales as to why they believe Black Studies is a necessity within these institutions; if it is even one at all. Each of these men have different opinions on this topic but they do share one similar perspective. The historical importance of black people should be taught and made a fundamental component of Black Studies because in institutions of higher education, where the populations are predominantly white, staying connected to the black culture can be difficult. Getting educated about it enables students to stay connected to their roots and use it to improve their future. Many black people grow up unaware of who they are and where they come from because in the current education system black people have been pushed to the side or spoken about very briefly. Students do not understand the struggles of African American people, so therefore having courses that educate them about the history of blacks, will spark understanding of black people as a whole and there might be a change in black and even possibly white communities.

For instance I know there had to be Kings and Queens of African descent. Also leaders, doctors, psychologist, teachers, scientists, leaders of the world which is why I would to start off trying to answer my main question which is why are we conditioned and only taught about predominately white musicians and make it seem like black musicians were a second choice option or negative choice of study. As Angela Davis points out in Blues Legacies and Black Feminism “Billie Holiday’s songs were subversive in that they offered special privilege insights to black people about the dominant culture…..unlike Bessie Smith and Gertrude Rainy, she did not concentrate on the musical creations of black culture. Rather she body entered the domain of white love as it filtered through the commodified images and market strategies……She revealed to her black audiences what the world of white popular culture was about and invited them to discover how white people acquired a consciousness of love and sexuality that was overdetermined by ideologies of male dominance and heterosexism.(171) This has me invested in it particularly due to the fact that my father is African American and my mom was of European from Germany, and I am able to relate to this subject without being bias. I can’t connect on either side of the fence so to speak and it is easy for me to put myself in the shoes of the very same people I am

The United States has long been a country that has accepted that change is a necessity for prosperity and growth. However, each change within the nation's history was hard fought against those who resisted such change either through racism, bigotry, and blatant discrimination. African American cinema is enshrouded in history that depicts these themes of racism, struggle, and deprivation. Yet, this same cinema also shows scenes of hope, artistic spirit, intellectual greatness, and joy. Black actresses, actors, directors, producers, and writers have been fighting for recognition and respect since the great Paul Robeson. The civil rights movement of the 1950's and 60's was fueled by black cinema through films like A Raisin in the Sun.

The African-American culture has to be one of the most significant in history. Dominating music, along with the written literature being deeply rooted in the American culture and society. African American oral traditional has impacted the American music and/or literature culture, and will continue to spread in its influence to other global communities and cultures in the future. African American oral traditions of music and literature had a major impact on American culture when it was introduced during slavery in history. African-American slaves began singing songs while working on the plantation owner’s/master’s fields and other places on their properties

Over the course of approximately one-hundred years there has been a discernible metamorphosis within the realm of African-American cinema. African-Americans have overcome the heavy weight of oppression in forms such as of politics, citizenship and most importantly equal human rights. One of the most evident forms that were withheld from African-Americans came in the structure of the performing arts; specifically film. The common population did not allow blacks to drink from the same water fountain let alone share the same television waves or stage. But over time the strength of the expectant black actors and actresses overwhelmed the majority force to stop blacks from appearing on film. For the longest time the performing arts were

The articles The Ground on Which I Stand by August Wilson and Steps toward the Negro Theatre by Alain Locke were both phenomenal read. Wilson and Locke discussed the design of black theatre and how it needs to be and can be structured for the future. They also discussed the racial and dividing system in America society which branched off to theatre.

Over the course of 50 years, Broadway has been very inclusive in bringing in social issues and representation, such as racial

I have encountered how slavery directly and indirectly influenced music and theatre in the past and what remains of that influence today. In our study of visual arts, I anticipate looking at art from both the oppressed and the oppressors. I image we will look at works and object made by slaves in captivity and piece of rhetoric and propaganda made by their white masters and traders over

Each day, Dr. Bongo shares a black history fact that many of you are sharing with your students. In thinking about Black History Month, I encourage you to diversify the content for all students as part of your instructional practice, not just during a specific month.