The Message of Solidarity and Self-definition in Black Women’s Blues tradition

Abstract

Abstract

African American music as an art form provides an alternative location where black women could articulate their perspective. This perspective is both individualistic and communal. This paper focuses on Black women’s blues, which forms an indispensable part of African American musical tradition. Originating from work songs and spirituals at the beginning of the twentieth century, blues was maintained as well as recreated mostly by black women. During segregation when it was not possible for large number of black women to accesseducation, blues represented a black woman’s standpoint, ─ both social and political ─ to black women in diverse communities. Through their blues black women were able to challenge patriarchal order, racial oppression and economic exploitation ─ thereby creating their own identity and black solidarity.