The rise of jazz in the U.S. was the first time African American popular culture had been 'elevated' and accepted into the interest of the white population. It was also the first time that the culture of a minority became the desire of a majority in the United States (this was not the last time it would happen). Though the popularity led to slight advancement in the social status of African American people, it also received serious backlash for that very reason. Many white jazz musicians denied that it was black culture by origin, and the size of the Klu Klux Klan soared to record heights in the 1920's.
When the influx of African Americans came to work in the Portland ship yards in the 1940's, jazz and its popularity came with them. However, due to Portland's history of discrimination (e.g. Exclusion Laws, Lash Laws, and government heavily influenced by the KKK) it wasn't exactly the prime place a person of color might be looking to settle, understandably. Less than 7% of Portland's population was black, and it was still known as "The Most Racist City Outside of the South". Due to this, the jazz scene became one of the only safe places for the African American citizens of Portland during this time.
I like how mentioned that Jumptown brought attention to the black community, and how all that attention faded when the government destroyed this part of the black community.
ReplyDeleteBefore reading about this, I did not know a lot about Jump Town. I really like how Jazz music was a part of African American culture, and that the majority desired Jazz, even though it was the culture of a minority. However, I find upsetting that the way it was ¨elevated¨ was when the white population found interest in jazz.
ReplyDeleteWow. Nice job with all of the source and image findings, I did the same subject and had a hard time finding any. Great work
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