In the coolest news we’ve heard today, our Amazing President, Barack Obama, made another ground-breaking and very cool step yesterday. In continuing to recognize not only the creativity of the African-American culture, but the musical influence that African-Americans still have across the globe, POTUS officially signed a Proclamation making June, African American Music Appreciation Month!
Here are some excerpts from the Proclamation below:
“For centuries, African-American musicians have shaped our Nation and helped tell our story. By melding enduring truths with new sounds, they have pioneered entire genres and contributed to the foundation of our musical landscape — capturing an essential part of who we are as Americans. During African-American Music Appreciation Month, we recognize the artists who have enriched our lives and the ways their beats and harmonies have advanced our unending journey toward a more perfect Union.
With all the energy and diversity of our great Nation, the stirring sounds of the American experience have expanded our minds and lifted our souls, helping us better understand ourselves and one another. When the tides of injustice and hardship have seemed too great, melodies of hope have given us strength, and in moments of joy, powerful songs speak to the audacity that fuels our dreams. Through momentous change — above the jangling discord of a people determined to write their own destiny and the consonance of great progress — our music has remained a constant source of inspiration, bringing us together and empowering us to reach for what we know is possible.”
We continue to preach that enhancing the creativity and that is inherent within our culture is an important key to developing and innovating young African-American lives. Education, along with recognizing the undeniable skills that African Americans continue to thrive in, in the fields of the music, arts, and entertainment is a key factor in driving the economics of our communities. Recognizing these inherent talents and learning how to use education and technology to innovate these capabilities, can change the direction of young people within our culture.
Hov said in his hit, “H to the Izzo”:
“Industry shady it need to be taken over – Label owners hate me I’m raisin’ the status quo up – I’m overchargin’ niggaz for what they did to the Cold Crush – Pay us like you owe us for all the years that you hold us – We can talk, but money talks so talk mo’ bucks”
These words ring true to the fact that African Americans have a long way to go when it comes to being treated fairly in an industry that has never been fair to our cultures’ musicians and entertainers. However, with more musicans learning the importance or ownership and entrepreneurship, the culture has made great strides in the actual business development aspect of the music industry.
Whatever likes or dislikes one may have toward the music industry, It’s is still a great day in music and music history, and my hope is that the African American community understands the importance of how we have put the industry on our backs and have led the pack in creativity and development.
source: The White House
https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2015/05/29/presidential-proclamation-african-american-music-appreciation-month-2015
Syllabus Magazine, the Carolina’s source for Music, Culture and Fashion
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