Introduction
America has been a racially segregated society. Racism became a menace in this country right from the time of slave trade when Africans were ferried into the country to work as slaves in the large plantation farms. Later, the practice was advanced by the Europeans who became land owners in the United States of America (USA). Under racism, people were given different treatments depending on their color. While the whites were recognized and respected, the other migrant groups were regarded as second class citizens with absolutely no rights. Meaning, they could not freely move, access quality education and participate in the democratic processes. This was a very unfortunate situation which jeopardized unity in the nation. As a result f this, several attempts were made to eradicate racial discrimination and promote equity and unity amongst all the people. This paper analyzes the discrimination in USA. It goes ahead to focus on its abolition. This is done by focusing on the contributions of Jazz music.
Jazz Music
Ever since its inception, Jazz music has played a significant role in the society. Obviously, music is a very important thing because it of its greater influence in the society. A part from entertaining people, it educates and informs. This is necessary for promoting morality, discipline and harmony amongst the people (Glass, B.S., 2012). In this regard, jazz music is credited for making imminent contributions in the fight against racism in USA. As a result of its emergence, a lot of musicians sprang to organize successful bands. As a big field, music incorporated all the people from all the races. There were white and colored singers who dedicated their time to demonstrate their musical talents in transforming the American population.
The Breaking of the Color Barrier
For a long time, USA had been known as the hub of racism in the world. Despite the bad history, it is today one of the most diversified societies in the globe. Even if people were highly discriminated based on their skin complexion, the society has become tolerant and accommodative to all the people irrespective of their color. However, it is worthy to note that this change did not come by chance. It was as a result of the commitments of several Americans and other African-Americans who actively participated in the social, cultural, political and economic struggles.
Whereas the well minded whites advocated for the formulation of discrimination-free laws, the immigrant groups formed civil rights movements and used other platforms such as music. Hence, they were able to bring racism to an ultimate end. In this regard, the paper reports the contributions of the following events as a turning point in the elimination of color bar in the country:
- In 1866, the congress successfully passed the Civil Rights Act which granted citizenship to all the persons born in the country. Because of this, any person became a bona fide citizen of USA so long as they were born in the US land. It did not matter whether they were original whites or immigrants. This was a mile stone since it made them enjoy more rights than they used to do before. For instance, they could access land without any bar.
- In 1870, the Fifteenth Amendment was passed to extend more rights to the immigrant groups. It granted hem an opportunity to participate in democratic processes. In fact, all the male citizens were given equal rights to vote regardless of their color. This was good because it gave them an opportunity to elect leaders who would best advocate for their rights. As a result of this, Hiram Rhodes Revels became the first African-American senator. Later, in 1872, P.S.B. Pinchback, a black, was elected to the House of Representatives. This demonstrates that racism was coming to an end because all the people could now be represented in the national assembly.
- In 1887, an exclusive African-American school was established at Florida A&M University. It provided a quality higher education to the colored. Because of this, many of them were able to access education. Hence, by 1900, the literacy level had risen. In fact, 300,000 colored teachers had been trained to cater for their colleagues. Education was important because it would enable these people to be conscious about their status, plights and work hard to remedy their problems. This gave rise to far-sighted African-Americans like Dr. D.E.B. Dubois who were instrumental in Pan African Movements.
- After the East St. Louis Riot of 1917, the US Supreme court ruled that there should be no more segregation in housing because it violates the clauses of the 14th Amendment which condemned all forms of discrimination. It enabled African-Americans to get access to housing facilities without any facing any barrier. In 1953 and 1957, racial segregation was abolished in the restaurants in the Washington DC and buses nationwide respectively. In other words, the colored were getting more freedom because they could now mingle with the whites much easily.
- On 6th/05/1960, President Dwilight Eisenhower signed the Civil Rights Act of 1960 which paved way for intensive civil rights movements spearheaded by Martin Luther King Jr.
Contributions of Jazz Music
As already hinted, jazz music greatly impacted on the immigrant community. Besides, it made a lot of contributions on the fight against racism in the country. Several musicians came up with bands to compose songs which would be used to condemn racism and all other forms of discrimination to which the immigrant groups were subjected based on their color. However, the following are some of the major events in the jazz arena which led to the eradication of color bar in the country:
In 1921, African-Americans came together and formed the Shuffle Along Band. This was the first major jazz group exclusively managed by the colored. It was an eye opener because it made African-Americans to be recognized as people who could produce a life changing music. Their music compositions were positively received by many people. They produced very many songs with which a lot of people identified. Their popularity rose amongst all the people who were always ready to attend their shows. Besides, it made African-Americans to be respected as great musicians. In fact, their influence went beyond 1928. Even politicians identified with them. For instance, their major achievement was witnessed when their popular hit, I’m Just Wild About Harry, was adopted by President Harry Truman as a campaign anthem (Wintz, C.D., 2007).
Another important incident in the jazz music which impacted on the American society is the performance of Strange Fruit by Billie Holiday in the year 1939. As the name suggests, it was used in the refutation of lynching which was then a popular practice in New York and other major cities. It sensitized people to avoid practicing and instead advocated for the due process in case of a suspected criminal offence. Later, in 1946, singer Paul Robeson founded the American Crusade Against Lynching. This was a direct inspiration from Billy’s performance. It was a common, but misfortunate phenomenon that the most targeted people were African-Americans. The foundation would be a relief to the would-be victims. I would like to report that the performance of the song against lynching was a good thing in the jazz industry. A part from exposing this evil act, it inspired Robeson to establish his foundation which would save the African-Americans and other immigrant groups which were the main subjects of this evil.
As a result of the prominence of jazz music, the US State Department decided to use it as a good will ambassador to advocate for its foreign policies in the international community. For instance, in order to prove to the world that she was not racial, the US government decided to use black jazz artistes such as Armstrong Louis as a representative during the Cold War. Hence, he was sponsored to go to other countries and market USA there (Haskins, J., 2002). Such sponsorships were later extended to other artists including Von Eschen. These jazz artists were chosen because of their black complexion and popularity. Besides, it was felt that it would provide an opportunity for the government to counter foreign criticisms labeled against her. Hopefully, they would convince the global community that USA had become tolerant, democratic and non-racial.
In conclusion, jazz music played a significant role in the eradication of racism in USA. As a result of its prominence and popularity especially amongst the blacks, jazz helped in the fight of discrimination. It inspired human rights activists to put more pressure on the government to abolish racism. This made jazz be recognized as a very important thing in the society whose role is not only limited to entertainment, but to education and liberation.
Works Cited
Glass, B.S. (2012) African American Dance, an Illustrated History, MacFarland & Company,
Inc., Jefferson, North Carolina, and London.
Haskins, J. (2002). Black Stars of the Harlem Renaissance. John Wiley and Sons.
Wintz, C.D. ed. (2007). Harlem Speaks: A Living History of the Harlem Renaissance,
Naperville: Sourcebooks.
