Poisoning Their Coffee: Louis Armstrong and Civil Rights

Charles B. Hersch

Poisoning Their Coffee: Louis Armstrong and Civil Rights

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Abstract

This essay argues that the life and music of Louis Armstrong challenged mainstream American values and attacked racial hierarchy. In his lifestyle Armstrong pursued a carnivalesque celebration of bodily pleasure at the expense of the Protestant ethic. In addition, his concerts created utopian moments that united black and white listeners in the enjoyment of music. Finally, Armstrong's music represented an assertion of blackness and individuality in a racist society, bringing African American elements to the center of American music.

Original language	American English
Journal	Polity
Volume	34
State	Published - Apr 1 2002

Disciplines

American Popular Culture
Other Music
Political Science

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http://www.jstor.org/stable/view/3235397

Cite this

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title = "Poisoning Their Coffee: Louis Armstrong and Civil Rights",

abstract = " This essay argues that the life and music of Louis Armstrong challenged mainstream American values and attacked racial hierarchy. In his lifestyle Armstrong pursued a carnivalesque celebration of bodily pleasure at the expense of the Protestant ethic. In addition, his concerts created utopian moments that united black and white listeners in the enjoyment of music. Finally, Armstrong's music represented an assertion of blackness and individuality in a racist society, bringing African American elements to the center of American music.",

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AB - This essay argues that the life and music of Louis Armstrong challenged mainstream American values and attacked racial hierarchy. In his lifestyle Armstrong pursued a carnivalesque celebration of bodily pleasure at the expense of the Protestant ethic. In addition, his concerts created utopian moments that united black and white listeners in the enjoyment of music. Finally, Armstrong's music represented an assertion of blackness and individuality in a racist society, bringing African American elements to the center of American music.

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UR - http://www.jstor.org/stable/view/3235397

M3 - Article

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Poisoning Their Coffee: Louis Armstrong and Civil Rights

Abstract

Disciplines

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