A Controversial Title...or Not?

The following is a challenge to the title of my music curriculum, "The African-American Music Curriculum. Share your thoughts...

Geoffrey Grider
Hey...what exactly is an "African-American Music Instruction Guide"...?
August 9 at 9:25pm ·

Darshell Dubose-Smith
Hi Geoff. My publisher decided that since so many African-American schools in urban areas have eliminated their music programs due to budget cuts, titling it The African-American Music Instruction Guide would make my affordable music program more appealing to these schools. The information in the books can be used by anyone. As a matter of fact, because of the title, I've had a great deal of people (from various cultures) ask me the same question. Be blessed. Darshell
Tue at 4:03pm ·

Geoffrey Grider
So, are these schools that only accept and teach African-Americans? I don't understand the need for the racial distiction. I thought music was the universal langauge?? :)
Tue at 4:15pm ·

Darshell Dubose-Smith
It's not that these schools only accept and teach African-Americans, it's just the make-up of the communities therefore, the schools reflect the communities. Music is universal however, music history classes have not been. European music is usually the focus of study. This is something I argued when I studied music. So, in addition to European ... Read Moremusic history, I, also, incorporate music history by great African-Americans in my books and title it The African-American Music Instruction Guide in order to make it more appealing to a group of people that don't normally see their (our) history. Classical music is music that stands the test of time. Bach, Beethoven Brahms, etc. certainly had their place in music history...but so did Joplin, Basie, Ellington and more. Including the history of musicians that look like the people that make up the community doesn't stress racial distinctions it promotes self pride among people whose history has been repeatedly ommitted from the history books:)
Tue at 6:37pm ·

Geoffrey Grider
Well, I don't think we will ever truly get past the race "issue" as long as we keep creating distinctions, dont ya think? Because when people study classical music, its not called "Caucasian Music", right? I think we should group music by styles, and not by who and what "flavor" of person wrote it.
Tue at 7:32pm ·

Darshell Dubose-Smith
You're right, classical music is not called Caucasian Music, it's called European Music. However, if classical music is music that stands the test of time, then music by composers of other cultures should be included as well but historically that has never been the case. From your perspective, making this distinction is racial. From my ... Read Moreperspective, it's promoting a strong sense of self-worth that (for various reasons) was never put in place. Unlike other books, I don't omit music history of other cultures, I include it but I'm directing it to a group of people that haven't had the same opportunites of knowing their (our) history like other cultures have.
Tue at 11:46pm ·