Two realities of human society always threaten to depress and confound us: many of us face daily violence and prejudice from those around us, and the collective conscious is slow to adopt positive change, i.e., we can hope that tomorrow we will stop fighting amongst ourselves and recognize the common humanity shared by all of us, but such an accomplishment is a far away goal with no end in sight. What then can we do? We must be the best citizens possible. Only then can real, albeit slow, progress can be made, and has been made.
As an example of such progress, we examine the racial situation of America and make a comment on how, specifically, the musicians of the era just before the civil rights movement began bettering America’s stance towards Blacks and other people of color by being outstanding citizens in their own right. Listing the honorable citizenship of four jazz musicians of the era will allow us to …show more content…
Throughout his unparalleled career, he was always dogged by racial prejudice, but he never let that impede him. When audiences initially questioned his ability to play because of his race, he just blew them silent with his virtuosity. Or when his detractors decried his grinning and shuffling persona as undermining respectable black behavior, he did not fold because that was his way of entertaining people. An ideal citizen is first true to himself and does not let anyone dictate his actions.
Our second musician is Duke Ellington, who stayed committed to helping the less fortunate members of his race even as his celebrity increased. Ellington understood that his position as one of the best composers of the day meant he had a responsibility to decry racism and champion the accomplishments of the American Negro, so he became a “race man” and brought this message to wherever his songs were played. An ideal citizen uses his talent and position to communicate positive messages about his fellow
As an example of such progress, we examine the racial situation of America and make a comment on how, specifically, the musicians of the era just before the civil rights movement began bettering America’s stance towards Blacks and other people of color by being outstanding citizens in their own right. Listing the honorable citizenship of four jazz musicians of the era will allow us to …show more content…
Throughout his unparalleled career, he was always dogged by racial prejudice, but he never let that impede him. When audiences initially questioned his ability to play because of his race, he just blew them silent with his virtuosity. Or when his detractors decried his grinning and shuffling persona as undermining respectable black behavior, he did not fold because that was his way of entertaining people. An ideal citizen is first true to himself and does not let anyone dictate his actions.
Our second musician is Duke Ellington, who stayed committed to helping the less fortunate members of his race even as his celebrity increased. Ellington understood that his position as one of the best composers of the day meant he had a responsibility to decry racism and champion the accomplishments of the American Negro, so he became a “race man” and brought this message to wherever his songs were played. An ideal citizen uses his talent and position to communicate positive messages about his fellow