Students Tell Their American Story though American Music

Abstract

Nothing speaks to students like music. They find relevance in music. For lots of reasons music, like other forms of art, often forces complex issues to resonate personally with a student. In a course designed to challenge what they “know” about American culture, music can be a familiar entity that adds a relatable connection to individual students’ lives and a source of comfort because they find familiarity with it. Not only do we give music personal significance, but it can provide insight into arenas (cultural, historic or distant) that are otherwise unknown. For instance, in the early twentieth century, Blues music was uniquely Black music but gave white audiences a window into a world they were unfamiliar with (Shonekan, 2018). One of my goals is to help students learn how to learn–to break down colonial influences that often hold our society frozen in fear. Music is often political, advocating for change. It’s often rooted in cultural change, technological change, spiritual and political change. Using music allows students a view of something they might not otherwise encounter, and perhaps feel empowered to shape their society based on their communities’ values, longevity and resilience.