Slavery

Painting 1

John Rose, The Old Plantation, 1790

. . . went to a Negro Ball. Sundays being the only days [they] have to enjoy themselves, they generally meet together and amuse themselves with dancing to the Banjo. This musical instrument (if it may be so called) is made of a Gourd something in the imitation of a Guitar, with only four strings and played with the fingers in the same manner. Some of them sing to it, which is very droll music indeed. In their songs they generally relate the usage they have received from their Masters or Mistresses in a very satirical stile and manner. Their poetry is like the Music—Rude and uncultivated. Their dancing is most violent exercise, but so irregular and grotesque. I am not able to describe it. They all appear to be exceedingly happy at these merry-makings and seem as if they had forgot or were not sensible of their miserable condition.

Nicholas Cresswell, The Journal of Nicholas Cresswell, 1774-1777, (New York: The Daily Press, 1928).

Perspective 1

• Outsider/white• Fascinated by African American culture and

music.• Surprised by the level of expressed joy.

Perspective 2

• The plantation owner chose a happy moment.• The painting captures the slave experience

through a white lens.• Art like Jon McDonald’s offers a different view.

JON MCDONALD“Slavery’s Chill”

Leaving Home, Jon McDonald, 2013

Slave Ship, Jon McDonald, 2013

Slave Market

Terrorist

Perspective 3

• Resistance, survival and adaptation.• A fusion of cultures: African, European; Banjo,

Violin.• A new music, profoundly influencing Southern

culture.• Clips: 3 different versions, original, Andy

Griffith, The Duttons.• Ken Burns’ Jazz, episode 1, 9:28-

“Had it not been for my beloved violin, I scarcely can conceive how I could have endured the long years of bondage ..."

- Solomon Northup

The Banjo

African (Gourd) Banjo came with slaves in 1500s

Which perspective works best?

• Perspective 1: White/Other, fascinated by culture.

• Perspective 2: Avoiding brutal imagery of slavery.

• Perspective 3: Culture as adaption, resistance and survival.