The 1960s Pop Culture

During the 1960s pop culture in America was beginning to change, largely including race and music issues. Pop culture during this time period began to reflect the changes and issues with race, often time being associated with the civil rights. Leisure activities started to forever change, due to the influences of many African Americans who were given more and more rights. Pop culture during this time period was reflecting what Americans were feeling about racial issues. Also, this time period was reflected through the style and genre of music. Race was greatly affected from comedians, folk singers, actors, and music that ultimately reflected society’s opinions during that time. Pop culture made it obvious that parts of society had issues with music and race, but there also was a part of society that became more accepting. Race during this time period was a great issue, which many African American comedians used to poke fun with their own heritage and culture. African American comedians could be found degrading color and their rights they liked in order to appeal their white audiences. Comedian Dick Gregory would often slip in jokes about civil rights, “history was written by these

Music by folk singers “helped to spread the ideals and social commitments of the civil rights movement to a growing number of young white Americans” (Ashby 355). African Americans during this time period would write about their hardships and the pressing times of the civil war movement, hopefully to get others on their side as well. At the same time, there were groups of white folk singers that would sing about the benefits of racism and why they should continue to oppress African Americans. Folk music was one of the first genres that actually expressed social ideas, which not only helped African Americans in their civil rights movement, but it hurt them as