1st paragraph – The Major Works of Music studied in this module all confront and respond to the American racial injustices of their time. Consider each song (Smith, Holiday, Cooke, and Brown) within its socio-cultural context. Choose ONE of these works and describe how it responded to the particular concerns and challenges of its time. You must first have a firm understanding of the cultural climate of the times – describe briefly. What is the mood of the music? What is the message for contemporaries and for posterity?
2nd paragraph – The messages and the emotion of these songs still resonate today. Perhaps, for you, some songs more than others. Sadly, recent events have made it starkly evident that we still have much more progress to make in terms of racial equality and social justice. Choose ONE of these songs (Smith, Holiday, Cooke, and Brown) that you feel is still most relevant today? Why? Explain. (If none of these songs feel relevant to you, can you propose another song that serves of the anthem of today’s 21st-century cultural climate in America? Explain.)
0 comments