Fresh Air What The Color Blue Tells About Black History
10 snips
Jan 28, 2025 Imani Perry, an award-winning author and scholar renowned for her insights into African American culture, dives deep into the rich symbolism of the color blue. She uncovers its historical ties to the indigo trade and the emotional weight in jazz music, particularly through Louis Armstrong's poignant song. The discussion also explores the dark legacy of labor exploitation in producing indigo and its connections to modern issues. Ultimately, Perry highlights blue as both a symbol of struggle and hope within African American history.
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Blue and Black Identity
- Imani Perry connects the color blue to Black history through the blues music genre.
- The blues capture both joy and melancholy, reflecting the Black experience.
The Blue Note's Significance
- The "blue note" in jazz, a slurred note outside the Western scale, represents the unique contribution of Black people to American music.
- It symbolizes their blended American identity and deep connections to the broader Black world.
Armstrong's Black and Blue
- Louis Armstrong's 1951 rendition of "What Did I Do to Be So Black and Blue?" transformed the song into a commentary on racial inequality.
- Originally about colorism, Armstrong's version reflected his own struggles as a Black advocate for the US during the Cold War.
