Why Is New Orleans An American Anomaly
The history of New Orleans is both expansive and complex. It is a city that prides itself in its cultural diversity. This was the result of many factors; The slave trade, exiled Acadians, and adventurers chasing easy money in an active port city are a few of the reasons why New Orleans is an American anomaly. One of New Orleans most noteworthy exports is jazz. First thought of as the “Devil’s Music” jazz eventually became immensely popular and well respected among many people, including for example, young people in the roaring twenties, when it was the popular music of its day. It gave way for some African American and creole artists to make successful careers, integrating many cultures through this music, while also managing to further perpetuate
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Armstrong was the man responsible for pushing American music forward during the early 20th century. He was bigger and better than anyone in his prime, resulting in a legacy that is ever present today. Despite his wealth, popularity, and likability, for Armstrong “race was the ever-present elephant in the room”. Armstrong grew up in the segregated south with nothing to his name but a fifth-grade education. Because of his upbringing, he often proved to be politically inept in such a racially divided period in America. He was often refused luxury’s white celebrities were granted and was known to accept his unfair social status. Jazz pioneer Dizzy Gillespie claimed Louis Armstrong could be “the plantation character that so many of us … younger men … …show more content…
For example, when Armstrong was refused service at a concert he was headlining in New Orleans because he had an integrated band. As a result, Armstrong left the venue and boycotted traveling to New Orleans in general largely due to the ban on integrated bands. Armstrong was also known to put his career when in 1957 he criticized segregation at Little Rock, Arkansas announcing that “the way they’re treating my people in the South, the government can go to hell”. Such an extreme comment was unheard of at the time, but Armstrong was willing to risk his spotlight to say what was right. Armstrong set the stage for young black artists who disagreed with unfair treatment of minorities in the United
Armstrong was the man responsible for pushing American music forward during the early 20th century. He was bigger and better than anyone in his prime, resulting in a legacy that is ever present today. Despite his wealth, popularity, and likability, for Armstrong “race was the ever-present elephant in the room”. Armstrong grew up in the segregated south with nothing to his name but a fifth-grade education. Because of his upbringing, he often proved to be politically inept in such a racially divided period in America. He was often refused luxury’s white celebrities were granted and was known to accept his unfair social status. Jazz pioneer Dizzy Gillespie claimed Louis Armstrong could be “the plantation character that so many of us … younger men … …show more content…
For example, when Armstrong was refused service at a concert he was headlining in New Orleans because he had an integrated band. As a result, Armstrong left the venue and boycotted traveling to New Orleans in general largely due to the ban on integrated bands. Armstrong was also known to put his career when in 1957 he criticized segregation at Little Rock, Arkansas announcing that “the way they’re treating my people in the South, the government can go to hell”. Such an extreme comment was unheard of at the time, but Armstrong was willing to risk his spotlight to say what was right. Armstrong set the stage for young black artists who disagreed with unfair treatment of minorities in the United