Heven Haile, American Studies, CC’21

During the Harlem Renaissance, Jazz was used as a tool to display Black extravagance, since African-Americans were deemed to be devoid of culture. The “A train” was the quickest way to get to Sugar Hill, which is where Black Harlem royalty lived. In our contemporary time, Beyoncé is apart of the cultural elite. In “Get Me Bodied,” she and her exclusive clique display their opulence. Jazz is also a communal enterprise. The lines between the audience and the performers are very blurred. The community comes together to carve meaning and forge a sense of belonging amidst the chaos and confusion of their lives.