Read Chapter 2 in our online textbook (https://static.america.gov/uploads/sites/8/2016/05/American-Popular-Music_English_508.pdf).
Watch the following videos:
Dandy Jim from Caroline (contains derogatory terms): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XFxZqLPCEY&list=PLD7y_XkLKDXqgnJkof6qYfwhmbLAPKei3Links to an external site.
Black Face: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqlD-eZm1ckLinks to an external site.
Al Jolson sings Oh! Susanna: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYWmBaVcNYgLinks to an external site.
Write an initial post of at least 250 words
Many minstrel songs are still used to teach general music in schools. “The Camptown Races”, “Jimmy Crack Corn (Blue Tail Fly)” and “Oh! Susanna” are some examples. Should we be using these songs in general music classes? If so, for what ages are they appropriate? Should be discuss the origin of the songs before using them with children? Should we highlight Stephen Foster, composer of many of these songs, as a laudable American composer?
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