DB Week 2
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Fayetteville State University *
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220
Subject
Arts Humanities
Date
Jan 9, 2024
Type
docx
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Uploaded by msnightowl24
DB Week 2:
W. E. B. Du Bois once said "All art is propaganda." When he said that, what do you think he
meant? Consider the various forms of African American art. Do you agree or disagree with Du
Bois's statement? Why?
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When Du Bois spoke “All art is propaganda”, I think he was referring to how Artistic
creations became more than aesthetically pleasing objects but also they transformed
into powerful vehicles for social and political commentary that was needed in these
times. African American artists embrace various mediums such as painting, literature,
jazz, dance, and hip-hop. These have all served to convey a true picture of cultural
experiences, while also prevailing as a driving force in the false narratives imposed upon
them by those in power. So I do agree with Du Bois’s statement because whether it be
intentional or not, I believe the work created in African American culture is truly a form of
propaganda and can be used to tell every angle of a story.
Despite societal mores that demanded separation of the races, "white slumming" (whites
intermingling with blacks in black nightclubs) was common during the Jazz Age. Why didn't this
cross-class socializing transfer to broader society?
In your response, consider the significance of how certain things -- like the "Lindy Hop" -- were
appropriated from African American culture, at the same time that blacks were generally
considered socially and culturally inferior. During this same time period, similar appropriations
occurred with music. In your response, discuss your opinion of why an appreciation for elements
of African American culture did not translate into broader acceptance of African Americans. Is
this still an issue today? Why or why not?
During the Harlem Renaissance and Jazz Age, Whites often viewed their engagement
with black culture as mere entertainment or exotic fascination rather than allowing their
intermingling to be accepted in the real world. I think the reasons behind this odd disconnect is
awfully black and white. Since the racial prejudice ran deep in society's structure, segregation
and unequal social terms were still widespread across all aspects of life. The prevailing belief in
white superiority created several barriers against true integration that could not be fixed with
these superficial encounters happening only in the artistic world.
So while certain elements like dance moves could be separated from their cultural
context and consumed by white audiences without challenging existing discrepancies, accepting
African Americans on an equal footing demanded confronting those emotions from deeply
ingrained prejudices about race and class. If there was admiration for the “Lindy Hop”, which
was a cultural contribution to African American aesthetics, how could African-American people
still be seen and treated as inferior to the same ones appropriating their arts? We see this issue
in lots of areas today. I think the biggest one is “twerking”. It can have such negative
connotations, yet we still see itt appropriated by other races.
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