The jazz movement

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Wow Tiffi never realized that the 1920s had brought about so much change. She continues her search and comes across some information about jazz.

“The Jazz movement spawned in the post-WWI world, capitalizing on dancing and nightlife. Radio Broadcast and recording technology helped to launch the popularity of this new music style which brought African American culture to the white middle class. The radio created a way for white Americans to experience black music without coming into contact with African Americans. It also paved the way for the wildly popular form of music entertainment known as Minstrelsy. Minstrelsy mocked African American culture and reinforced African American stereotypes as white men dressed as black men while they imitated and mocked black music. 

Despite the racially charged and nationally popular attraction, the 1920’s was also a time of progress for ethnic minorities in America. The American prohibition and the popularity of Jazz and Vaudeville created nightlife atmospheres where black, white and other ethnic minorities could co-mingle. Speakeasies commonly allowed the co-mingling of races and were typically seen as “progressive.” (Info from here) 

Let's continue with the next part of our story – Besse smith

Start at the beginning – Preparing for the Twins Day Festival