slavery
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Slavery. Painting 1. John Rose, The Old Plantation, 1790. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Slavery
Painting 1
John Rose, The Old Plantation, 1790
. . . went to a Negro Ball. Sundays being the only days [they] have to enjoy themselves, they generally meet together and amuse themselves with dancing to the Banjo. This musical instrument (if it may be so called) is made of a Gourd something in the imitation of a Guitar, with only four strings and played with the fingers in the same manner. Some of them sing to it, which is very droll music indeed. In their songs they generally relate the usage they have received from their Masters or Mistresses in a very satirical stile and manner. Their poetry is like the Music—Rude and uncultivated. Their dancing is most violent exercise, but so irregular and grotesque. I am not able to describe it. They all appear to be exceedingly happy at these merry-makings and seem as if they had forgot or were not sensible of their miserable condition.
Nicholas Cresswell, The Journal of Nicholas Cresswell, 1774-1777, (New York: The Daily Press, 1928).
Perspective 1
• Outsider/white• Fascinated by African American culture and
music.• Surprised by the level of expressed joy.
Perspective 2
• The plantation owner chose a happy moment.• The painting captures the slave experience
through a white lens.• Art like Jon McDonald’s offers a different view.
JON MCDONALD“Slavery’s Chill”
Leaving Home, Jon McDonald, 2013
Slave Ship, Jon McDonald, 2013
Slave Market
Terrorist
Perspective 3
• Resistance, survival and adaptation.• A fusion of cultures: African, European; Banjo,
Violin.• A new music, profoundly influencing Southern
culture.• Clips: 3 different versions, original, Andy
Griffith, The Duttons.• Ken Burns’ Jazz, episode 1, 9:28-
“Had it not been for my beloved violin, I scarcely can conceive how I could have endured the long years of bondage ..."
- Solomon Northup
The Banjo
African (Gourd) Banjo came with slaves in 1500s
Which perspective works best?
• Perspective 1: White/Other, fascinated by culture.
• Perspective 2: Avoiding brutal imagery of slavery.
• Perspective 3: Culture as adaption, resistance and survival.