Thursday, September 29, 2011
The Culture Shock the Eigteenth Amendment Brought Upon the United States
The eighteenth Amendement passed in the 1920's banned the consumption of alcohol- BUMMER!! No, but really, the people of the time period were ticked to no end! All of the citizens of the U.S were itching to drink. But it was not just the act of drinking, but rather the public consumption that inticed them all. But how was this possible with the new amendment that was passed? How do underage kids get away with drinking today? Secretively, stealthily, incognito. Any way you slice it, they found a way. There way had a proper term however and that was a Speakeasy.Imagine an underground bar with jazz music, dim lighting, a doormen to check the peep hole everytime the door was knocked on, Bourban in tea cups and coffee mugs, and drunken laughter. Believe it or not this was a speakeasy! Speakeasies of the time were rebellious! And yet, they began to shock the U.S with some rich culture. And by rich I mean criminals. Think :Al Capone, Johnny Torrio. Granted these guys were big shots in the mafia but everyday Joe-Shmo guys were criminals too! Smuggling alcohol to the U.S certainly payed the bills. It was an easy way to gain revenue in the 1920's, and therefore lead to such great crimes.
Remember the phrase from history class, "history always repeats itself" maybe ring a bell or two? Hey guess what, that is something incorrect your teacher told you! The eighteenth amendment was certainly abolished! But prohibtion has never come back to haunt the United States. But THIS is the exact reason why it left such a large impression in the 1920's. This law was outlandish! The citizens of the United States knew that, but did they know they would be apart of a major historical 'culture' later on? (Rehtorical question, no room for snooty answers) Who knows, we could be refered later on in history as the "techno-culture" I mean get real, I am being graded via blog entry, via a sent email, via internet, via a computer. Just food for thought.
Monday, September 26, 2011
In:
black history
Revisiting and Rethinking Past Judgements
From the beginning of school, I always remember what pride my teachers took in Black History Month. In fourth grade, my teacher even dedicated the entire month to nothing BUT learning about Black History in America. But instead of this opening myself up to the struggles of a race of people who had been neglected over time, it instead made me frustrated and ask questions about it.
jazz, pop, zing, color!
I always wondered, "Why isn't there an Irish, Ital
ian, Portuguese, or Scottish-American history month? Why are these people so special?" And for a little kid, I think I had quite a good point.
As American citizens, we are known as a mixing pot of all types of nationalities. And at some point or another, we have ALL been discriminated against. And not only was this wrong, but we must never forget that discrimination because we don't want these feelings of distrust and dislike to return. Even now we fall victim to bigotry against middle-eastern people and even our own American citizens of this descent. But why must we dedicate an entire month to one group of people? Because they accomplished extraordinary things in academics and arts, even though it may have been overlooked at one time.
Poets such as Jupiter Hammon and Phyllis Wheatly started with writing beautiful poetry when there seemed to be no hope in sight for freedom. Later on, great minds such as Benjamin Banneker, who built the first clock in America, pushed on through oppressive slavery to create and explore the fantastic scientific world around them. And these many beginners opened the door for Opportunity. This opportunity is the Harlem Renaissance.
jazz, pop, zing, color!What an exciting time in American history! A new culture was emerging and it was swingin'! Although I'm going to leave the Renaissance for another post, I will leave you with this last thought.
Black history is rich, and I understand its importance to our country and the type of people that we've become. But always remember, it's not just Black History that we need to remember and respect. It's the history of ALL people. Whatever your religious beliefs, skin color, political position, or national heritage, we are all people. And as Americans looking back at the discrimination of our past, we should know better than allow ourselves to fall into the trap of discrimination. I may have taken me a while to appreciate Black History month, but I think I know that the answer to my childhood question is: every month should be history and appreciation month all types of people.
The Cotton Club: The hottest night club of the 20's
The Cotton Club was a night club in the heart of Harlem, NY that featured jazz music from various artists. The Cotton Club opened in 1920, by heavyweight boxing champion, Jack Johnson, who at the time named the club, "Club De Luxe."It wasn't until 1923 when gangster, Owney Madden, took over the club, and renamed it "The Cotton Club" for what it is still known as today.
The Cotton Club was strictly white clientele. Guests at the club were from the upper class of New York City. Although the club excluded all but white guests, most of the entertainers and staff were of African American decent.
The performers of the club were of a wide variety, from Louis Armstrong, to Fats Waller, Jimmy Durante and many more. Duke Ellington was also a big performer at the Cotton Club. He led a band of comedians, singers, and dancers from 1927 to 1930 that performed often at the club. The Cotton Club and Ellington's orchestra became so popular, that they began to receive national recognition on radio stations for their talents. Below you will find a few recordings from Duke's selection at The Cotton Club in the late 20's.
The Cotton Club was forced to close its doors in 1935 due to race riots, and reopened in late 1936. It then had to close its doors for good, due to demand by land lords of the Cotton Club to pay a higher rent. The music and legends that got their start at the Cotton Club will never be forgotten.
Cotton Club. Photograph.
"The Cotton Club of Harlem." Black Past. Web. <http://www.blackpast.org/?q=aah/cotton-club-harlem-1923>.
Youtube. Web. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zU_Y3B-6WA&feature=results_video&playnext=1&list=PLE2FC7F8283D7C370>.
"Duke Ellington and His Cotton Club Orchestra." Red Hot Jazz. Web. <http://www.redhotjazz.com/dukecco.html>.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Bumpin' In Da Club
Everything Thursday in Summer, my friends and I go to The Woodland's night club, and when Mrs. Lewis mentioned The Cotton Club back in the day NO WAYY was I ganna pass it up!
The Cotton Club was in Harlem, New York City baby! No better place to be than there in the 1920s-1930s. The club would have jazz bands playing, such as Louis Armstrona, Ella Fitzgerald, and Billie Holliday. The majority of the preformers being African American it seems weird to me that they denied entry of black citizens.. Often being called "Jungle Poeple", where "Jungle Music" aka Jazz comes from. However many aritsts began their careers there.
The club closed down several times due to being caught selling alcohol during the Prohibition years. It was also closed down in 1936 due to the riots in Harlem and reopened. But eventually closed down for good in 1940.
Saturday, September 24, 2011
In:
concentrations
The way things really are
Because of You
when you decided to squeeze through what I thought was a closed door.
One I thought was sealed and shut
off to the world because it was done.
But I was mistaken.
You somehow put your foot in the door;
just the tiniest crack is all you needed.
I don't understand why you do this to me,
because all it does is tangle my thoughts and feelings.
But I was mistaken.
I know what my feelings are,
and I know that I still love you so.
That's the only thing that I'm sure of
and the Love that we had for each other is the only thing I know is true.
But I was mistaken.
If our love had been of the purest form
it would have lasted as long as we said it would.
It was for me,
but probably not for you,
I have been mistaken for the last four years because of you.
