ERIC Number: EJ1299620
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2020
Pages: 22
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1935-3308
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Tell It Like It Is: Black Power Era Music and the Construction of the Strong Black Woman Archetype
Kirby, Mia M.
Journal of Ethnographic & Qualitative Research, v14 n4 p274-295 Sum 2020
During the 1960s and 1970s, the popular music genres of funk, soul, and jazz set the soundtrack for the Black Power Era. Throughout this era, messages regarding positive imagery of the African American community were produced through music. Additionally, the image of the Strong Black Woman Archetype (SBWA) was developed by the African American community in order to counteract negative images of African American women. In the present study, I analyzed lyrics of 25 songs from the funk, soul, and jazz genres of the era utilizing word clouds in order to demonstrate patterns and themes presented in the lyrics. I aimed to provide insights regarding the creation of the SBWA. The analyzed music depicted the SBWA as a caretaker of her family and community while maintaining a sense of pride and a strong connection to spirituality and religion. The present study offers a better understanding of how the concept of strength was developed and disseminated within the Black community.
Descriptors: African Americans, Females, Music, Social Attitudes, Racial Bias, Gender Bias, Singing, Spiritual Development, Religion, African American Community, United States History, African American History, Stereotypes, Power Structure, Caring, Barriers, Freedom
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
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