1950s African American Culture Essay

Prior to the 1950s while America had just recently escaped from the grips of World War II and was encountering a period of unprecedented economic growth and prosperity, the atmosphere of America was struggling under ideas of social conformity and conservatism. During this time America was greatly opposed to ideas of change and revolution and sought to keep principles of racial discrimination and gender expectations intact. As a majority, racial segregation and discrimination were still widely ingrained in American society, primarily in the southern states. Many African Americans throughout the nation faced daily struggles of systemic discrimination and were largely subjected to Jim Crow laws that enforced racial segregation and contributed

As a vibrant, energetic, and rebellious genre, many major cultural upheavals resulted from the powerfully expressive music, and often reflected an era of shifting views, values, and aspirations of young people. Furthermore, rock and roll came to represent the youthful enthusiasm and energy of an experimenting generation. This newfound energy ultimately attracted the interest of teenagers and kids across the nation who were looking for a dramatic change from the prevailing conservative social boundaries of the post-World War II era. (Jacobson, Lisa) Teenagers developed a deep and emotional connection to the lyrics, rhythm, and style of artists like Elvis Presley, Bill Haley, and Jerry Lee Lewis, who had a revolutionary impact on young adults. As a whole, these artists seemed to address young people's issues and experiences with specific lyrics and themes which touched on concepts like love, freedom, and most importantly self-expression. For instance, “Elvis Presley's "Heartbreak Hotel" and Bill Haley and His Comets' "Rock Around the Clock'' are two examples of songs that captured the frustrations and aspirations of youths while also reflecting the spirit of youth revolt.”(Songs of America) These songs transformed into an anthem or call of a generation trying to escape the

During this time there was a strict interpretation of what it meant to be a man in American society and a stern expectation to be heterosexual. However, the dominant ideas of femininity and masculinity were questioned by this musical genre, opening the door for a more tolerant society based on the acceptance of more progressive gender identity and sexuality manifestations. As a whole, by encouraging female performers to create art in their own various unique ways, rock and roll music provided an outlet for female artists to disrupt traditional gender roles that called for women to struggle quietly. “Women like Wanda Jackson, Janis Joplin, and Tina Turner challenged social expectations with their strong vocals, dynamic stage presence, and compelling performances.” (Vaillancourt, Eric) These ladies challenged the conventional depiction of women in music as compliant or obedient by exhibiting strength, independence, and assertiveness. Their success and influence on the business dispersed stereotypes that limited what women might accomplish in an overwhelmingly male-dominated music industry, and proved the point that women could break the mold of an ordinary housewife. Additionally, rock and roll music also publicly embraced sexuality to a level that had not previously been seen before. Audiences