THE BLUES

Music is a form of folklore because it validates a culture.  Different cultures have different forms of music with different meanings.  Within in the American culture music is a way of life every American listens to some form of music.  The American culture is more diverse than any other culture; every citizen comes from a different ethnic background.  In the reading the author discusses the ownership behind blues music.  In my opinion within the American culture it is not right to assign a certain race with a style of music.  Even though African-Americans may have the originators of blues, jazz, R&b, and rap music, it doesn’t mean that other races cannot master those forms of music.  During the time of segregation and racism Caucasian people still enjoyed African American music.  There were also Caucasian people such as Elvis who could sing the blues and different genres of music that sounded as well as African-American blues.  Some African-Americans such as my grandfather believe that the “Whit man” stole jazz and blues from us and tried to make it their own.  He is bitter because he believes white people can never let black people have anything.  In the late 1940’s white music groups used to steal the songs of African-American groups and claim it as their own which caused white groups to make more money and fame than the African-American groups.  I believe the ability of ones vocals to sing blues, jazz, country, or gospel is based on genetics and not the color of their skin.  In regards to the reading when it comes to authenticity then I believe that is where the racial claims play apart.  African-Americans and Caucasians are sub cultures within the American culture.  Both races have been experienced different struggles and are accustomed to different cultural backgrounds.  Music has always been a major part of the African-American culture dated all the way to slavery and beyond.  Africans used music and dance to relate an issue rather good or bad.  When slaves came America they sang songs in code so their slave masters couldn’t not understand what they where discussing.  They also sang about their awful struggles, which were passed down from generation to generation and where conformed to different styles of music such as the blues.  On the surface Blues is not a racial thing anyone can sing the blues regardless of nationality, but within a certain culture which it derived from then I would have to agree with it being authenticated by African-Americans.