RCL Blog #8: Evolving Idea (Chosen Pattern)

Summary

artifacts and content may change, this is just a generalized idea for now.

Reclaiming Identity: Black History & Culture Through Music 

• From the funky beats of jazz to the rhythmic beats of hip hop, Black people have woven their identity into the very fabric of this nation through music. With every note, they’ve carved a path towards self-discovery and empowerment, reclaiming their identity in the face of adversity. Through music, black voices have become a resounding anthem of resilience, echoing their rich heritage and forging a powerful path forward in a nation shaped by their undeniable influence

Turning Point #1 — Slavery (roughly from 1619-1877)

Music during this time served as a resilient and transformative force that both shaped and reclaimed black identity, providing a powerful means of expression and connection amidst the hardships and oppression blacks faced for centuries.

Artifacts:

Genres to be explored = Gospel, aka “The Negro Spiritual”

• “Wade in the Water” – metaphorical with multiple interpretations, but it was commonly used as a signal and guide for enslaved African Americans seeking to escape to freedom via the Underground Railroad during the 19th Century

• “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” and “Go Down Moses”  — both a powerful expression for the desire of freedom and the strength to endure hardships, a symbol of their struggle for liberation and justice.

Turning Point #2 —  Jim Crow Era (1900s-1939)

During the Jim Crow Era, music played a vital role in the cultural preservation, and the articulation of the African America experience in the face of systemic racism and segregation.

Genres to be explored = Ragtime, Jazz & Blues

Artifacts:

• Ragtime
  • Sheet Music for Scott Joplin’s “Maple Leaf Rag” (1899)
  • Photograph of a Ragtime Dance Hall (early 20th century)
• The Emergence of Jazz and Blues
  • Vintage Jazz Club Poster (1920s)

Turning Point #3 — Civil Rights Era (1954-1968)

Music during this time served as a unifying anthem of social change, empowerment, and a testament to the constant fight for equality and justice. More genres began to emerge during this time holding the same foundations from the music of previous generations, but shifting in a new directions, sound wise.

Genres to be explored = Protest songs, Soul music, Motown

Artifacts

• Protest Songs
  • “A Change Is Gonna come” by Sam Cooke
• Soul Music/Motown
  • Original Motown Records 45 RPM Single (c. 1960s)

Turning Point #4 — Contemporary America (1970s to Present)

Music during the contemporary more reflects on the diverse experiences of African Americans, celebrating their cultural richness, while also continuing to address the ongoing social issues, providing a dynamic platform for self expression and collective empowerment.

Genres to be explored = the emergence of Hip Hop and R&B, and then in the contemporary

Artifacts:

• The Emergence of Hip Hop
  • Grafitti Mural Fragment from 1520 Sedgwick Avenue, Bronx (Late 1970s)
• Hip Hop In Contemporary
  • Lyrics Sheet from Kendrick Lamar’s “Alright” (2015), became an anthem for the Black Lives Matter movement and a powerful statement on social justice.

• R&B/Neo Soul:
  • Vinyl Record of Solange’s “A Seat at the Table” (2016), explores themes of race, identity, and self empowerment. Highlights the impact of reclaiming black identity and cultural expression through modern r&b