Da Bluez

A detailed Summary of Da Bluez

From years 1505 to 1870, the world underwent the largest forced migration in history. West Africa was soon to be convulsed by the arrival of Europeans and become the advent of the transatlantic slave trade. Ships from Europe, bound for America, appeared on the horizon, and their captains and sailors-carrying muskets, swords, and shackles-landed on the coast, walked up the beach in their strange clothes, looked around, and demanded slaves. A horrific chapter in history had begun, and neither Africa nor America would be the same again.

Approximately ten million Africans were brought across the seas to the Americas to be manipulated into slavery. They were meant to work harsh labor, yet they were no longer meant to have a voice. A few Americans took the time to appreciate the hard work performed by the slaves; however, appreciation is a short step in the long road to equality. It was not until the late 19th century that America began to repair the damages done by this immoral trading of human beings. Once the slaves were "freed" after the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, it did not do much to end the oppression and prejudice against the black race. Their freedom did not give them a heart; it did not prove they ha

d soul. This is where their music becomes significant, and this is Blues music. Throughout their music, it took much less time for the black race to prove that they were not unlike the rest of humanity; in fact, they did have a voice, and a haunting one. Once Blues music was not only recognized, but also comprehended, admired and imitated, it opened the gates of immigration, and the nation to this day has matured in its ability to see gray.

While their music was obviously something these slaves were using to keep their African heritage, the whites believed that their music was an expression of happiness and contentment. They believed that their singing was an expression of their acceptance of their hard fate. Slaves sing most when they are most unhappy. The songs of the slaves represent the sorrows of their life.

Years after Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, it was around this time that some white citizens were beginning to see their former slaves as important contributors to American culture. Whites began recording the blues in the early 20th century thus extending the typical relationship between blacks and whites in a positive direction. As both races began to work together, they began to develop the same ideals and goals, and realizing it or not, began to change history to better the future for humanity. The blues music of the blacks was gaining popularity throughout the United States, and white business saw this as an opportunity to make a profit. Although this seems to possess a negative affect on the black race and their music, it really helped develop their rights, especially in the music business and their ability to grow as musicians. With the success of one black blues artist, there came the success of the rest. This flourished in the 1920's with the successes that these

It was due to the whites' misconception that those slaves who displayed musical talent were typically given easier work and rewards for their talent and their seeming obedience of their labor. At times these slaves were bought specifically for their musical talent and were never subjected to harsh fieldwork. Sometimes, these black workers were invited to weekend parties, asked to perform, and were given whiskey, food and other rewards for their services. Blues music was not only an essential element of many religious and secular events for blacks, but it was a substantial source of entertainment for whites as well.

Included in the mass of faceless slaves, the boats entrapped and migrated a large number of griots. A griot was an African version of the European wandering minstrel. They spent their lives traveling from village to village, playing the role of a musician, storyteller and wise man. They typically carried an instrument similar to a guitar or banjo. However, due to their rapid change in environment, they could no longer sing the songs that they used to sing in their old villages; they invented new songs. Songs about being chained on the ships be

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Approximate Word count = 2008
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: Music