Music and Race Relations: Musical Segregation in the Jim Crow South

Presenters

Rachel A. Coon, Cedarville University

Type of Submission

Podium Presentation

Campus Venue

Dixon Ministry Center, Room 101

Location

Cedarville, OH

Start Date

4-10-2013 3:50 PM

End Date

4-10-2013 4:10 PM

Comments

Abstract:

Throughout American history, music has often been used to accomplish certain social agendas. This is particularly evident in the race relations between black and white Americans. Most would agree that one's cultural and ethnic background has a significant influence on the type of music one listens to today. Back in the segregated society of the late 19th and early-20th centuries, society strongly dictated which music was appropriate for which people group. In this presentation, I will elaborate on the segregation of the music industry and the separation of "black" and "white" musical genres. I propose that the categorization of "race" and "hillbilly" records as well as the blues and jazz performers contributed to the already present Interracial animosity In the early-20th century. My proposal comes from a study of historical accounts, analyses of various experts, and testimonies of musicians of the time.

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