Rock’ n’ Roll influenced racial acceptance in the United States in the 1950s, even though it is commonly blamed for worsening segregation. The idea that Rock n’ Roll contributed to segregation stems from the emphasis on the African-American origin of this genre. As many Americans in the 1950s acquainted themselves with new music, accentuation of the role of black musicians deepened the racial divide. In contrast, the viewpoint that Rock n’ Roll unified the races is based on the perception that this genre has, first and foremost, American rather than racial origin. Ascertaining how exposure to the popular music created by African American musicians changed the perception of white Americans is essential in understanding the subsequent cultural acceptance of minorities.
It is important to point out that the Rock n’ Roll audience included white listeners and black ones. It is evidenced by the emotional outburst of Asa Carter – a prominent figure of Ku Klux Klan. He expressed his concern that Rock n’ Roll appeals to animal beginnings in listeners, thus symbolizing the return to savagery (Altschuler 38). However, subsequent prohibitions, including interracial dancing, indicate that the white audience was indeed interested in Rock n’ Roll (Altschuler 42). Furthermore, the incorporation of songs of this genre in the repertoire of radio is also an indicator of the growing popularity of Rock n’ Roll in all audiences.
Second, Rock n’ Roll influenced the self-perception of African Americans as well. Before the 1950s, black people felt alienated from mainstream society due to their racial differences. Skin color was the defining element of their identity, as they felt that American society was not able to accept them (Altschuler 42). The emergence of Rock n’ Roll provided Americans with a common reference point for both white and black people. The later decade would show an increase in the employment rates for black people and greater social mobility for them (Altschuler 42). None of these changes would have been possible had society not become more tolerant and accepting.
Yet, the most important result of the popularization of Rock n’ Roll was the shift in identity. As much as white supremacists were intent on emphasizing the color of African Americans, so did many black people. African Americans desired recognition of their rights on par with white people, but the color of the skin determined their identity. However, with the growing popularity of Rock n’ Roll, black people gained a means to influence the emotional state of Americans. As a result, their self-perception started to change from black people who were citizens of the US to Americans who were black, as was evidenced by a testimony of a reader of the magazine Ebony (Altschuler 42). The priority of one’s cultural affiliation over one’s ethnicity is a sign of growing cultural diversity and acceptance.
Rock n’ Roll contributed to resolving racial issues by appealing to white audiences. Exposure is essential in shaping attitudes between various social groups. Before Rock n’ Roll became popular, most of the interactions between black and white Americans were primarily negative. The universal appeal of Rock n’ Roll paved the way for positive exposure, which made the mainstream population more tolerant, while African Americans felt themselves to be a part of a single American culture. Rock’ n’ Roll became a unifying cultural phenomenon that would accelerate the advance of tolerance and acceptance in America.
Work Cited
Altschuler, Glenn C. All Shook Up: How Rock ‘n’ Roll Changed America. Oxford University Press, 2003.