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Elvis Presley's Influence On African American Culture

510 Words3 Pages

In the 1920s, jazz music, which originated from African Americans, was booming out of popularity. Both whites and blacks saved up their money to go to Harlem and danced all night to the music. However, as time passed, hip hop, also originated from African Americans, emerged in the 1940s. It received a lot of hate out of fear of its “devil music” and the music “sounding black.” This changed and shaped how teenagers rebelled against and challenged social values and norms in order to be able to express themselves freely. Music promoted how teenagers rebel against society even to this day. However, this was a huge case back in the 1940s. Rock n' roll spread like wildfire and made record sales soar. By 1958, teens were buying 70 percent of the records …show more content…

Millions of people, mostly teenagers, came to adore Presley and listen to him on a day-to-day basis. However, multiple parents did not see him the same way. He stirred up controversy, especially about his “suggestive,” provocative dance moves, which were considered scandalous and inappropriate by many conservative groups and older generations. Parents have started to forbid their teenagers from listening to Presley. However, Presley has already become the voice of youth who expressed their longing for freedom and individuality (Kellner 10). This resulted in teenagers rebelling against society to be able to freely express themselves. Music also allowed teenagers to go against and challenge society's norms. Presley uncovered feelings that teenagers had never felt before regarding their sexual instincts. Back in the 1950s, it was society's norm to always have them hidden. Now, teenagers, especially girls, express their sexual wants, which causes adults to believe Presley is a terrible influence. Parents tried to forbid their teenagers from listening to him, but that only caused their teenagers to

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