Term
| 1. “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime” |
|
Definition
Definition: A slow tempo song by Bing Crosby during the Great Depression, featuring his strained and heavy voice. (1932)
Cultural Significance: The song’s story was relevant to the Great Depression and the economic change it had on America.
Erenberg |
|
|
Term
| 2. “It Don’t Mean a Thing if it Ain’t Got That Swing” |
|
Definition
Definition: A 1932 song during The Great Depression by Duke Ellington, characterized by a quick tempo.
Cultural Significance: Showed the uplifting effects of swing culture on people during The Depression.
Reading: Erenberg |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Definition: 1910-1970 movement of 5 million African Americans from the South to the North.
Cultural Significance: Their music followed them and mixed with Northern music, creating the swing era. Eased racial relations. Blacks and whites ate, drank and danced together in clubs such as The Savoy.
Reading: Norma Miller and Malcolm X |
|
|
Term
| 4. Cab Calloway’s “Call of the Jitterbug” (film) |
|
Definition
Definition: 1935 film with Calloway singing. Shows a scene with Calloway singing for white, elite audience and the blacks were sitting in the back corner. Another scene shows Calloway having a house party, only black audience, which was a much more joyful environment with laughing and dancing.
Cultural Significance: Shows African Americans living in two different cultures that were only blended for music. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Definition: “King of Swing” White America’s definition of the starter of Jazz and Swing.
Cultural Significance: Americans were more at ease with a white “King of Swing” although swing originated in African American communities. Henderson couldn't be as famous as Goodman because of racism, although some would argue he was more talented. This led to the Battle of the Bands.
Reading: Erenberg |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Definition: Musical artist who during the 1920’s headed up the Fletcher Henderson Orchestra, and then worked as Benny Goodman’s arranger during the 1930’s. He did not hire a white rep for booking, so he ended up going bankrupt due to many lost gigs. He ended up signing with Mills after Ellington did, but Ellington took all the fame.
Cultural Significance: There was debate whether he should be dubbed the “King of Swing” instead of Benny Goodman who held the title. This shows the some of the discrimination and lack of attention African Americans faced in the music industry during this time.
Reading: Erenberg |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Definition: Music records made solely for African Americans
Cultural Significance: Used as a way to segregate music. Society even went as far as to segregate music!
Reading: |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Definition: “King of Swing” Benny Goodman verses Chick Webb, battle of swing music.
Cultural Significance: Audience could see side-by-side who was truly a better musician. Made way for social change so that music icons were based off of skill and not race.
Reading |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Definition: This popular nightclub was a place in Harlem during the Great Depression where black and white people came together to drink, eat, and more importantly, dance to the music.
Cultural Significance: Helped racial relations improve because it was a place where blacks and whites came together for music and dance. Musicians could gain money through creative entertainment.
Reading: Norma Miller |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Definition: Swing dancer and member of Whitey’s Lindy Hoppers
Cultural Significance: Her dancing was a way to decrease racial tension. She performed at 1st Harvest Moon Ball.
Reading |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Definition: Energetic dance created to compliment the “Swing Era”
Cultural Significance:Helped black community culturally and financially. People used dance as a way to escape the hardships of the Great Depression.
Reading: |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Definition: the synchronicity and mechanical feel of the Lindy Hop’s dance moves
Cultural Significance: showed the connection between innovation and mechanical invention with pop culture. It took common motions from every day factory work and incorporated it into the Lindy Hop dance.
Reading: |
|
|
Term
| 13. Whitey’s Lindy Hoppers |
|
Definition
Definition:Professional group of talented swing dancers started by Herbert “Whitey” White
Cultural Significance: White business men saw then as a threat.
Reading: Norma Millers reading says many business men were mad that their white clientele went to Harlem to spend their money. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Definition: Endurance, dancing contests which awarded winners with prizes.
Cultural Significance: It shows how dancing is becoming a part of the entertainment industry. Shows how desperate people were for money. |
|
|
Term
| 15. Jivin’ Jacks and Jills |
|
Definition
Definition: An all white version of “Whiteys” Lindy Hoppers.
Cultural Significance:Guaranteed more success because they were white. They got more gigs, although the Lindy Hoppers were better. The Lindy Hoppers could not reach the white middle class.
Reading: |
|
|
Term
| 16. Malcolm Little / Malcolm X |
|
Definition
Definition: Race Rebel; A black nationalist that believed blacks and whites couldn’t live in harmony.
Cultural Significance: man drawn to urban life with zoot suits, drugs, etc...
Reading: |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Definition: African Americans that wore zoot suits, conked hair, etc...
Cultural Significance: Rebelled that white standard is correct standard. Minority groups no longer going to tolerate living according to white standards.
Reading: from Robin D.G. Kelley’s |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Definition:Brightly colored suit made of layers that draped over the person wearing it. Has large shoulder pads and the pants are wide and cuffed at the end.
Cultural Significance: Made a rebellious statement during the 30s and 40s. Embraced a laid-back, fun lifestyle. Mocked white businessman style. New identity forming among the minority youth |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Definition: Authentic music; created in isolated area, typically the south, not effected by outside influences.
Cultural Significance: Gave way to artist like Lead Belly, link to what was being Lost in America |
|
|
Term
| 20. John Sr. and Alan Lomax |
|
Definition
Definition: the Lomax’s preserved vernacular folk music in the 1930’s-40’s. They traveled around the country, mostly in the South, collecting folk music. They went to a lot of prisons as well.
Cultural Significance: |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Definition: African American blues singer and guitarist (real name Huddie Ledbetter). In prison for murder when discovered by the Lomaxes.
Cultural Significance: Represented the purity of America. His being in prison helped him preserve the qualities of an Old America. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Definition: 1930s; picked a thing different from what is mainstream at the time and find and audience that can identify with it
Cultural Significance: Want to be able to get music as authentic as possible so that they can sell. Lead Belly is a good example because he is from the South and the Lomaxes grabbed him as a tool to get money.
Reading: |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Definition: Music disks that were only playable on proprietary US military equipment, with the idea being that they would all be destroyed after the way.
Cultural Significance: V-Discs represented an effort to fill the gap created in the music industry as a result of the strike of the American Federation of Musicians, which meant that no new music was to be played on the radio for the duration of the strike. During a time where soldiers overseas turned to the radio as both a source of invigoration and means of remaining in touch with current music, the lack of band recordings was received as quite the blow. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Definition: A World War II propaganda campaign
Cultural Significance: Signified the majority sentiment that women should be encouraged to help the war effort, but then return to the home when their purpose was served. |
|
|
Term
| 25. Hour of Charm Orchestra |
|
Definition
Definition: All girl white orchestra created in 1943 by Phil Spitalny
Cultural Significance:Phil was portrayed as the father figure. Sexist representation. Women went to the extreme to hide their facial features and bodies because they wanted to be seen for music, not looks. |
|
|
Term
| 26. International Sweethearts of Rhythm |
|
Definition
Definition: All female, racially integrated orchestra during WWII
Cultural Significance: Although men regarded them as a novelty band, due to their sex, they practiced hard everyday. Men believed that they were an exotic band. They had a strong bond with each other because of the music that they were playing. They traveled all over Europe and played in the largest cities. ISR broke up after some members got married.
Reading: |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Definition:Chinese nightclub from 1938-1962 located in Chinatown
Cultural Significance: Asian Americans were breaking traditional Asian rules. Had to play into “hyper sexual Chinese doll.” Took into consideration that Asians existed, not just blacks and whites. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Definition: Said that the government had the right to imprison any Japanese people living on the coast as a result of WWII.
Cultural Significance: Shows America’s ignorant/racial views towards Asians. US citizens thought that all Asians were Japanese. They ignored the fact that many Asians were “Americanized” and had nothing to do with the war. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Definition: Mexican-American youth culture that defied race and gender ideologies.
Cultural Significance:They rejected society through fashion, hair, music, language, and dance. Demonstrates the growing youth culture that rejected traditional attitudes and beliefs. They served in WWII and worked in America but were still treated badly. Laws from the 30s to 50s challenged their citizenship. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Definition: Song recorded by Don Tosti in 1940 that sold over 1 million copies.
Cultural Significance:The lyrics illustrated Pachuco culture rebellion against dominant society. Blended music and conversation, which had never been done before. The words used the slang of their culture. |
|
|
Term
| 31. The Sleepy Lagoon Murder Trial |
|
Definition
Definition:Body of Jose Diaz found beaten at a party. Police arrest 600 youth, mostly Mexican-Americans.
Cultural Significance: Allows us to see how Pachuco culture was portrayed as barbaric, criminal, and un-American. Did not allow the men in jail to groom, and the judge created a prisoners box. The men were only identified to arrest by their zoot suits. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Definition:
Cultural Significance:
Reading: |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Definition:Cuban born American musician and actor (I love Lucy.)
Cultural Significance: Plays into stereotype of Latin American during the time. His heavy accent somewhat prevented him from fully integrating invto American culture. He was considered as the “Latin Lover”. He played off the Cuban stereotypes. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Definition: Brazilian Hollywood film star noted for her signature fruit hat outfit ("The Lady in the Tutti Frutti Hat")
Cultural Significance: “The chief export of Brazil”, she created an image of Latin/South America being very exotic. Described as being visually stunning/amazing. She made her own slang terms with her songs and has recorded over 300+ songs. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Definition: A declaration made by FDR regarding the non-intervention and non-interference in the domestic affairs of Latin America. Approach to cultivate business, promote tourism, investment, Pan-American Highway.
Cultural Significance: Produced complicated/questionable representations of Latin America. |
|
|
Term
| 36. “Brazil and You Discover You’re In New York” |
|
Definition
Definition: Opening number from 1943 film, “The Gangs All Here.”
Cultural Significance:Carmen represented as import/export. She is what Brazil is sending to US.Distinction between women in NY, all blonde/ blue eyes more sophisticated, opposite of Carmen. Adds to the Stereotype of Latin America. |
|
|
Term
| 37. “The Lady in the Tutti Fruiti Hat” |
|
Definition
Definition: Act in “The Gangs All Here” in 1943 by Carmen Miranda.
Cultural Significance: Uses bananas as sex symbol. US trying to build relations with Latin America because it is seen as a giant fruit. Makes Latin America appear as a place with a bunch of fruit and attractive women. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Definition:Created in 1944 to put a face on the world’s first brand of bananas
Cultural Significance: form of a banana dressed as Carmen Miranda. Presented bananas in a manner that made everyone want to go and try them. They taste good and are good for you. Used to educate Americans about bananas (what they were, how to eat them, how to take care of them, where they came from) |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Definition:Exotic fruit that is grown in Latin America
Cultural Significance:Encouraged the US to build closer relationship with Latin America through Good Neighbor Policy. Press and entertainers went to extremes to make banana visible to US public. Shows how media can have huge influence in our lives. UFC invested much time, energy and money into promoting the banana. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Definition:Started in 1899 and is one of the biggest companies around today. Was based in Boston. Buys land and labor in Latin America for very cheap and then sells product for much more in the US.
Cultural Significance:Multiple battles fought in Latin America because of banana. UFC invested time and money in this cheap fruit. As a result of UFC, early entertainers and press went to extreme to promote fruit.
Reading: The Father of Spin - Larry Tye |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Definition:American man known as Father of Spin. Well known in public relations for ability to manipulate people through psychology. His Uncle is Freud.
Cultural Significance:Illustrates that people can be influenced into buying anything that society says they should buy. He helped UFC make banana into patriotic symbol, sex object, and health symbol. Entertainers and other foreign leaders fell for his mind tricks. He encouraged US to build relations with Latin America. |
|
|
Term
| 42. “Ten Years of Spring” |
|
Definition
Definition: Series of social reforms in Guatemala following the election of President Juan Jose Arevalo.
Cultural Significance: These reforms were to reverse Guatemala’s economic dependence on the US |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Definition: President of Guatemala from 1951-1954.
Cultural Significance: |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Definition: Eisenhower told the CIA to liberate Guatemala; happened on June 17, 1954, Castillo Armas and some soldiers invaded and the Guatemalan military refused to defend Arbenz. He then fled to Mexico and Armas took over as president
Cultural Significance: An example of an intervention that is different that Gun Boat policy; the first of many covert operations to change leaders, institute practice to see other countries; mind set of mid-20th century |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Definition:
Cultural Significance:
Reading: |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Definition: African American dancer and singer renowned for her jazz singing, dancing, and exotic costumes - performed in Paris.
Cultural Significance:
Reading: |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Definition: Book that accused several actors, writers, musicians, and journalists of being communist.
Cultural Significance: These people were denied employment because of their political beliefs |
|
|
