Question

were the 1920s a time of cultural change? after reconstruction ended in the post - civil war south, policies of racial segregation (often called jim crow) were enacted to keep blacks and whites separate. to escape the discrimination and harsh conditions of this system many african americans chose to move north starting in the 1910s, in what became known as the great migration. but the north was not free of discrimination. while segregation was not always the legal policy, most states separated blacks and whites. part ii: jazz clubs source 1: claudia roth pierpoint, “black, brown and beige: duke ellington’s music and race in america,” the new yorker, may 17, 2010 https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2010/05/17/black - brown - and - beige “more than half a century after the civil war, the most famous night club the cotton club in new york was a mock plantation. the bandstand was done up as a white - columned mansion, the backdrop painted with cotton bushes and slave quarters. and the racial fantasy extended well beyond decor: whites who came to harlem to be entertained were not to be discomfited by the presence of non - entertaining negroes. all the performers were black—or, in the case of the chorus girls, café au lait—and all the patrons white, if not by force of law, then by force of the thugs at the door.” 1. what did the cotton club look like? 2. who went to and worked at the cotton club? 3. what is the author arguing about segregation? 4. what type of culture did the cotton club create and/or re - create? was it indicative of a cultural change? things staying the same? at the same time?

Explanation:

1. The text describes the Cotton Club's appearance as a mock plantation - the bandstand was like a white - columned mansion, with cotton bushes and slave quarters in the backdrop.
2. Performers were black, and patrons were white. Black entertainers worked there while white people came to be entertained.
3. The author argues that racial segregation persisted even in places like the Cotton Club, where although not legally enforced, white patrons were ensured a "non - discomfited" experience by the presence of thugs at the door.
4. The Cotton Club created a racialized fantasy of a plantation - era South. It was not indicative of positive cultural change as it maintained racial segregation in a cultural space.

Answer:

1. The bandstand was done up as a white - columned mansion, with a backdrop painted with cotton bushes and slave quarters.
2. Performers were black, and patrons were white.
3. Racial segregation persisted in cultural spaces like the Cotton Club, enforced by non - legal means.
4. It created a racialized plantation - era fantasy. It was not indicative of positive cultural change as it maintained racial segregation.