In the previous post (Introduction) I asked “Is African-American Literature’s absence in high school one of the primary reasons race relations are still complex?” I am still interested in feedback on this question. Today the class moved into the section of the book titled The Vernacular Tradition. Without removing the ability of anyone reading this to comment or make their own hypothesis on the meaning of the Vernacular Tradition, I will state that this is an additional introduction to the Black Literature anthology. The Norton’s Anthology creates an interesting preface in placing this at the beginning of the text. I honestly think this section would be better served if it was split up and placed withing the context of each era that is covered in the book. (I hope you understand that…) The Vernacular Tradition begins with spirituals and moves through each phase of the African American culture (spirituals, gospel, secular music, blues, jazz, r&b, sermons and hip-hop and folktalkes). I don’t want to delve to deeply into describing what was presented and instead I will post the few songs we read and listened to in class from the first few sections.
We listened to Steal Away To Jesus sang by Bernice Reagon; read from the Gospel section: Peace Be Still, read from the secular music section: Me and My Captain, Sinking of the Titanic, listened to Strange Fruit sung by Billie Holiday (I plan to play the Cassandra Wilson version on Thursday) and we listened to Hellhound on My Trail from the Blues section as we left class.
Important discussion questions derived from this section:
Why is analyzing vernacular important?
The beginning of African American literature as it relates to the vernacular does not change, there is always a layer within the music that requires deciphering and analysis. Can Black Literature simply be written for the sake of entertainment solely? Should the literature bear responsibility? Should writers forgo responsibility? Why does it appear that the vernacular tradition is unable to simply be just a song?
The refrain, “I ain’t got long to stay here,” in spirituals and gospel has duality what exactly does it mean, in context and out of context?
The interesting thing that I think we discovered is that there is a shift in the way songs were written in the Black community. The initial style of songs in the vernacular had an emphasis on life being endured because of the hope of a better life, “In the upper room, on the other side.” This quickly changed to songs with a more direct message that was more direct. What do I mean by direct? I will leave that for the next discussion.
Prof. B.
I think that analyzing vernacular is important because it gives you information beyond what you can read or see. When i look at a work of literature, alot of times I can tell a little about the author by the terms that they use as well as there subject matter. Vernacular can aslo be broken down further than just a race of people. I have some cousins who live in chicago and there vernacular is way different from the vernacular here in memphis. There are alot of differences like their slang, accents, and the way they dress. So although we are all african americans, our vernacular can change from coast to coast. So i think analyzing vernacular is important because it can give u a little background information about a person without you having to ask.
I think that black literature can be written soley for entertainment. To me it just depends on the author and what group of people he or she is aiming to reach. Because there are people out there who do not want to hear intellectual stuff in there music and television. They feel that they go to school to get education, and they want to take step away from that aspect of life when there living their personal lives. Personally, I am trying to gain as much knowledge as possible. I very rarely listen to music on the radio because its crap. I had some guys tell me once that they do not wanna hear any intellectual rap, they would rather hear and I quote “Young Nigga’s Launchin”, such as soulja boy. So it all depends on who the author is trying to appeal to and what his or her goals are as an artist. You have to look at is the author trying to make a difference and uplift the community or make millions.
I think that literature should bear responsiblity simply because literature has been used to tell stories and educate generations of the past for thousands of years. Literature can be used like a time machine, When you read a book or any kind of literature it puts in that moment in time that the text is taking place.
In context I think that the phrase “I ain’t got long to stay here,” means that I am going to escape from slavery soon and move on to a better life. Out of context i think the phrase means that I do not have that much longer on earth before i can be with my heavanly father. In context and out of context, the phrase is used as an expression of faith that a better life is approahing soon.
The unfortunate problem with allowing the artists to simply create without responsibility is that you encounter far too much negativity and “nothingness” in the artform. Is it okay to read gansta literature or erotic literature? Of course it is, but isn’t it kind of like the N word: When someone says that Black people must be all the same type of people based on the literature can we really get upset or offended? Should we get upset or just say, hey don’t read it?
I think there is very thin line here when discussing responsibility for the creation of art in the Black community. While I will argue all day that people have the ability to control themselves and they are not influenced by what they read or listen to, but I would make that argument with this thought in the back of my mind, “people learn through repetition.” If a person continuously engages in the creation of art that is detrimental to the perception of a people, they become detrimental to the growth of the people.
Solid response here. Watch the use of there vs their/they are.
I agree one hundred percent that allowing the artist to create without responsibility brings forth a lot of negativity and meaningless crap, That is very evident with most of the music that is out right now.
I think that getting upset or offended would be pointless because we as a race of people keep playing into the stereotypes that we create through our literature.
On the other hand, i think it is also pointless to say hey don’t read it because its still out there and if it is out there its gonna be seen so that is why artist should most definitely take responsibility through the literature to change stereotypes and educate our people.
How do you respond to the person who thinks that an artist should be free to create whatever it is they create? Is this a complex issue to really analyze in regard to African Americans? Should Black artists/writers be held to a different standard than their counterparts in other cultures?
Eleanor Roosevelt once said that ‘With Freedom comes Responsibility.” Since we as a people have been made free, it is our responsibility to empower the next generation. This is not a task that should be taken lightly, too many died to achieve it. Of course, freedom of speech is a constitutional right that we cannot deny these artists, but it is a disservice to the entire black struggle when an artist seeks only to profit, and has no concern about the impact that his or her words have on the next generation. Calling our women bitches and hoes, glamourizeing liquor and partying, and a lavish lifestyle is not ‘keeping it real’ as some say. Many of those new artists are not even rich yet. There are plenty of rappers who portray themselves as ‘Thugs’ who have never been involved in gang violence, or lived in squallor and lack. Much of this is media hype, and the REAL Uncle Toms (or Sambo’s) in my opinions are those entertainers who sing and dance for the approval of the record heads, regardless of the damage that it tends to do to the community, and protest the fact that they are even a role model to begin with.
These same rappers will NOT allow thier own children to listen to thier music, but dont mind it infiltrating the homes of thier black youth across America. And this is usually not the case with other cultures. Other cultures tend to respect themselves and thier women more, even in entertainment. It is almost as if we are the only race of people who are hell-bent on self destruction at all costs.
In my Finding Forrester voice, “Yes, Yes, you’re the man now dog!” Well Woman… but you seem to have a grasp on my direction of thinking. I didn’t lead you towards this idea did I? I don’t want to influence you into agreeing that art should serve some social purpose. That is left up to the individual to decide what they want their art to be, right?
…lol…to answer your question below…no,my thoughts are my own. I actually disagree with you sometimes, you know. You are giving yourself too much credit! (kidding) But these were already my thoughts on those issues, and the discussions that we have as a group simply bring them to the forefront.
Why is analyzing vernacular important? Analyzing Vernacular is important because you want to know what you are reading and what the meaning of it is. The spirituals in our text have to be analyzed, for me. I have to analyze it to really understand that they are talking about. The vernacular tradition was a way for African Americans to express themselves. Some expresses are simple and some are not. That is why analyzing vernacular important.
The refrain, “I ain’t got long to stay here,” in spirituals and gospel has duality what exactly does it mean, in context and out of context? “I ain’t got long to stay here,” in context means, I don’t have long to until I’m free. Meaning they are going to run away. Out of context means I don’t have long until I join my Lord in Heaven.
Can Black Literature simply be written for the sake of entertainment solely? NO! It cannot be written solely on entertainment because it’s not just to entertain. Yes some is to entertain but it is also to inform.
Should the literature bear responsibility? Yes
Should writers forgo responsibility? No, because then it would not be their work. If they did then they would not really enjoy what they are writing. To write what you have went through or know should show in your work, it would give the reader a sense that you understand and can relate.
Why does it appear that the vernacular tradition is unable to simply be just a song? Because it was for African Americans to express what they felt in their hearts, minds, and bodies it was a way to keep moving forward. It might feel like a song but it was a since of freedom.
Your response lacks a little clarity on why The Vernacular Tradition is important. Of course some of it is difficult to understand and requires analysis, but why is it critical to understanding Black Literature? I don’t quite understand your response on Black artists forgetting about responsibility. I’m interested in your statement about songs and how it is about freedom. What do you mean? Good start at understanding the discussion.