Doing Some Background Research

For our first assignment your research skills will be tested. Rather than lecture or provide a specific set of questions to be answered, for today's assignment you will visit the link below. After perusing that link, you will choose an artist, politician, or event, and conduct research about it using the internet or a local library. You will post a 250-word overview of your topic. You MUST provide 3 references at the end of your post (i.e. web links, book titles, etc.), preferably in MLA or APA formatting. Check sonofcitationmachine.net for citation options.

There are two points to this assignment. First, we need to verify that you are using appropriate internet sources. Wikipedia, for example, is not an appropriate website as it can be edited by anyone who visits the site. Your Bibliography will tell me whether or not you are using the internet correctly. Second, you will all ideally pick different topics so that we all learn a little bit about various elements of the Harlem Renaissance.


Sunday, October 7, 2007

Swan Phonograph

At the start of the twentieth century, political restrictions over African-American discrimination were weakening. Despite that, most rural areas in America did not abandon racial policies and were far from it. Major American cities on the other hand, while were still high on racial profiling did allow African-Americans to somewhat excel. One major way of African-American breakthrough was through music, which at the time was a unique novelty to the American culture. African-American music revolutionized the world of music altogether and still exists today as one of the most lucrative business opportunities.
As most businesses find home in New York City, African-American music was not an exception. “The Blues” one of the most renowned African-American genres began in New York. Harry Herbert Pace, often referred to as one of the fathers of “the blues,” has quickly realized his opportunities and has moved to New York City to pursue his dream. Harry was born and graduated school in Atlanta, working in the law and insurance fields. Coming to New York one of Pace’s biggest challenges was to produce his own music, which his business experience has helped him overcome.
The problem with music production that African-Americans have faced was not that they did not possess the skill to do it, but very often, White music production companies did not allow Blacks to be recognized for what they have done. In other words a company would produce African-American music yet claim credit for it and Blacks never had the chance to truly show society where their art came from. Pace’s experience came from the business world and he knew very well that it is not who has the skill to make music, that will succeed but the one who can sell it and claim credit for it. In 1921, Harry has founded the “Pace Phonograph Corporation, Inc.” with five board of directors being the greatest leaders of the Harlem Renaissance of all time.
Bibliography
Loo, De. "Black Swan Records, 1921 to 1924: From a Swanky Swan to a Dead Duck." Articles. Nov. 2003. 7 Oct. 2007 .
McHie, Benjamin. "Black Swan Records Formed." The African American Registry. 1999. Non-Profit Education Organization. 7 Oct. 2007 .
Weusi, Jitu K. "The Rise and Fall of Swan Records." 1996. 7 Oct. 2007 .
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