Lena Horne Influence

Improved Essays
Music of the Jazz, begging in African American communities of New Orleans began in the late 19th century and flourished in the roaring 20’s. During the time period of the 1920’s, many African American artist, musicians, and singers, rose to fame, fortune, and recognition as they performed in the Jazz genre. Theses artist, doing what many believed to be the dream were seen as trend setters, rule breakers, a form of representation and inspiration for the African American in America. In fact, these African American talents were able to use their role given to them to express themselves and go against the rules that were chaining them down in the American society during that time. More specifically, African American women from the Jazz era were able to use their power, fame, voice and …show more content…
Lena Horne has been known lessen discrimination and racism in America by mainly refusing performances amongst segregated audiences. Lena’s act of refusal was heavily impacted American especially when she was on tour and had to perform in front of segregated American troops which Lena objected too. Lena’s refusal lead to the end of sponsorship for her tour so she proved her point by financing her own tour to perform in front of only African American troops sending a messages of her want of equality. Additionally, Horne tried to stop discrimination when she filed a complaint to the NAACP, when she realized before a performance in Kansas during World War II, that the African American soldiers had to sit in the back behind the German POWS. Horne would also use legal methods such as suing restaurants and theaters that would discriminate against skin color in order to get them to stop discriminating and being racist towards African Americans. She has also been known to express her voice by joining and speaking for the Progressive Citizens of America

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