To install StudyMoose App tap and then “Add to Home Screen”
Save to my list
Remove from my list
The emergence of rock ‘n’ roll as a new musical genre was witnessed in the 1950s United States (Shi and Tindall 1051). The recordings of rhythm and blues, named rock ‘n’ roll, were made popular by Alan Freed (Altschuler 1051) with the inclusion of the non-white Americans as its pivotal part. It reached further heights with the participation of Elvis Presley and marked the deviation from the race-related conformity (Altschuler 1052). Along with its nation-wide acceptance that went beyond ethnicity and social backgrounds, the music was the center of various cultural modifications.
As the term rock ‘n’ roll referred to the sexual act (Altschuler 1051), its music was deemed as a rebellion against the conventional norms of culture.
Moreover, the racist population, mainly in the South (Altschuler 35), condemned the appreciation of the Afro-American musicians by the white youngsters. With provocative dance movements and rhythm, it openly challenged the existing values and practices. The music was peculiarly appealing to the teenagers and simultaneously threatening to the older audience.
Verified writer
Proficient in: Civil Rights Movement
5 (204)
“ She followed all my directions. It was really easy to contact her and respond very fast as well. ”
The American youth was captivated with the zeal to express themselves and heeded to the restrictions of neither the authorities (Altschuler, 33) nor the families.
The decade saw the appearance of a novel generation that overlooked the racial boundaries. The mixed group of audiences in the clubs and concerts pointed to the mingling of Blacks and whites. Access to African American music paved the way for the exposure and acceptance of the culture of ‘the other’. It was indeed a “communicable disease” (Altschuler 6) that was transmitted across the country to evolve the face of the racial conceptions during the time.
Rock ‘n’ roll inspired the expression of the Black culture and voice, underlying the unique identity of the people of color.
Rock ‘n’ roll was perceived as a threat to the dissolution of the white’s superiority. The abolition of racial segregation in public transportation and schools (Altschuler 36) and the increasing popularity of the music made the segregationists tarnish its reputation. They regarded that “race mixing led, inevitably, to miscegenation and that exposure to black culture promoted juvenile delinquency and sexual immorality” (Altschuler 37). Racially prejudiced criticisms by politicians and journalists and non-cooperation by television and radio stations became common. They reiterated that the music lacked moral values and was adversely affecting the teenagers.
Together with the notion of integration, the success of rock ‘n’ roll supplied African American musicians with modest financial assistance (Altschuler 35). Nevertheless, Black singers were equally exploited by the white recording professionals who handled a major section of the market and attempted to promote white performers (Altschuler 35). The economic upliftment of the colored, a major goal of the civil rights movement, also prompted the racist groups to thwart the changes. Rock ‘n’ roll was a major medium that highlighted the societal modifications in lifestyle, owing to the civil rights movement. Black artists utilized the musical harmony to revolt against discrimination. The protest against rock ‘n’ roll was conceived as “an indirect attack against Negroes” (Altschuler 42). Several whites in the industry extended their support for the civil rights movement. In its course, the genre gave rise to an environment which backed abolition and voting rights for African Americans (Altschuler 49).
The novel musical form was an integral portion in the construction of productive racial relations. Black rights and values were reinforced in racial politics (Altschuler 35) with the success of rock ‘n’ roll. The cultural revolution altered the views and attitudes in American society through its inter-racial interaction. By crossing the color barriers, rock ‘n’ roll aided in reviving the ethos of the decade.
Support For The Civil Rights Movement. (2022, May 23). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/support-for-the-civil-rights-movement-essay
👋 Hi! I’m your smart assistant Amy!
Don’t know where to start? Type your requirements and I’ll connect you to an academic expert within 3 minutes.
get help with your assignment
