The N-Word in Music: An American History
The minstrelsy play, song, and dance "Jump, Jim Crow" did more than enable blackface performers to spread racist stereotypes about Black Americans. This widespread antebellum-era cultural phenomenon was instrumental in normalizing the N-word across several aspects of American life. Material culture, sporting culture, consumer products, house-pets, carnival games and even geographic landmarks obtained the racial slur as a formal and informal appellation. Music, it is argued, was the catalyst for normalizing and disseminating those two ugly syllables throughout society, well beyond the environs of plantation and urban slavery.

This weighty and engaging look at the English language's most explosive slur, described by scholars as the "atomic bomb" of bigoted words, traces the N-word's journey through various music genres and across generations. The author uses private letters, newspaper accounts, exclusive interviews and, most importantly, music lyrics from artists in the fields of minstrelsy, folk, country, ragtime, blues, jazz, rock 'n' roll and hip hop. The result is a reflective account of how the music industry has channeled linguistic and cultural movements across eras, resulting in changes to the slur's meaning and spelling.

1140214577
The N-Word in Music: An American History
The minstrelsy play, song, and dance "Jump, Jim Crow" did more than enable blackface performers to spread racist stereotypes about Black Americans. This widespread antebellum-era cultural phenomenon was instrumental in normalizing the N-word across several aspects of American life. Material culture, sporting culture, consumer products, house-pets, carnival games and even geographic landmarks obtained the racial slur as a formal and informal appellation. Music, it is argued, was the catalyst for normalizing and disseminating those two ugly syllables throughout society, well beyond the environs of plantation and urban slavery.

This weighty and engaging look at the English language's most explosive slur, described by scholars as the "atomic bomb" of bigoted words, traces the N-word's journey through various music genres and across generations. The author uses private letters, newspaper accounts, exclusive interviews and, most importantly, music lyrics from artists in the fields of minstrelsy, folk, country, ragtime, blues, jazz, rock 'n' roll and hip hop. The result is a reflective account of how the music industry has channeled linguistic and cultural movements across eras, resulting in changes to the slur's meaning and spelling.

39.95 Out Of Stock
The N-Word in Music: An American History

The N-Word in Music: An American History

by Todd M. Mealy
The N-Word in Music: An American History
Add to Wishlist
The N-Word in Music: An American History

The N-Word in Music: An American History

by Todd M. Mealy

Overview

The minstrelsy play, song, and dance "Jump, Jim Crow" did more than enable blackface performers to spread racist stereotypes about Black Americans. This widespread antebellum-era cultural phenomenon was instrumental in normalizing the N-word across several aspects of American life. Material culture, sporting culture, consumer products, house-pets, carnival games and even geographic landmarks obtained the racial slur as a formal and informal appellation. Music, it is argued, was the catalyst for normalizing and disseminating those two ugly syllables throughout society, well beyond the environs of plantation and urban slavery.

This weighty and engaging look at the English language's most explosive slur, described by scholars as the "atomic bomb" of bigoted words, traces the N-word's journey through various music genres and across generations. The author uses private letters, newspaper accounts, exclusive interviews and, most importantly, music lyrics from artists in the fields of minstrelsy, folk, country, ragtime, blues, jazz, rock 'n' roll and hip hop. The result is a reflective account of how the music industry has channeled linguistic and cultural movements across eras, resulting in changes to the slur's meaning and spelling.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781476687063
Publisher: McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers
Publication date: 05/17/2022
Pages: 267
Product dimensions: 5.90(w) x 8.70(h) x 0.70(d)
Age Range: 18 Years

About the Author

Todd M. Mealy (Ph.D., American studies, Penn State University) is a writer who specializes in 19th and 20th century civil rights history and sports culture. A contributor to Pennsylvania Heritage Magazine, he lives in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Table of Contents

Author's Note viii

Acknowledgments ix

Preface 1

1 The N-Word's Musical Contours 13

2 Out of Music: The N-Word's Material, Environmental, and Social Contours 32

3 John Lennon's N-Word Moment 45

4 Interlude: Diverse Opinions 72

5 Philosorock: John Lennon, Bob Dylan, and Other White Musicians Who Sing the N-Word 101

6 Black Demystification, White Bewilderment: Transformation and Numbing in Black Comedy and Black Music 117

7 Muhammad Ali, Rap, and That Word 136

8 A Hip-Hop Icon 145

9 A Sensible Rule: A Case Study 174

10 Inviting Destruction Beyond the Music 183

Conclusion: Welcome to the Conversation, Country Music 207

Epilogue: Coda 215

Chapter Notes 219

Bibliography 243

Index 251

From the B&N Reads Blog
Page 1 of

Related Subjects

Social Sciences
African Americans
African Americans - General & Miscellaneous
Social Sciences
African Americans
African Americans - General & Miscellaneous

Customer Reviews