Rebels, Attitudes, and Voices of the Jazz Era and Women’s Rights Movement
By: Erica Perez
The women’s rights movement had a huge impact on society and
the world we live in today. Women went from being seen as unequal to men and were
looked down upon, to now being seen as equals and even some as idols. The
struggle to gain these rights was not easy since women were constantly degraded
and ignored. Since society would not listen to their pleas, women had to find
alternative ways to have their voice heard and get their message across. One
way this was accomplished was through music. Music was a way for women to tell
their stories; “Indeed, these ‘telling performances’—the narrations themselves—may
prove a rich site for learning about the function of oral history-telling in
female artists’ construction and maintenance of identities as jazz musicians in
a discourse which has historically denied them a place” (Tucker 2). Music,
specifically jazz, encouraged women to voice their opinion to defend their
rights and give them the place they should have in society.
Women’s attitudes and ideas were reflected through their
musical style. Women dressed and performed in a certain way that was considered
obscene, which was a way for women to get the attention they sought. This was
also a method of women rebelling against the traditional roles of women. Jazz
music loosened people up and allowed them to have more of an open mind and
challenge the social norms that were present during the roaring 20’s. The
lyrics and instrumentation depicted the emotions of the women and how they
wanted to be seen as equal independents with the same rights. At that time,
jazz was more aggressive than it is considered to be now, so women were able to
use this as a method of intimidating males. Women were not afraid to speak
their mind and found music to be a good way to say what is on their mind. “The
increasing prevalence of the phrase the ‘modern woman’ in 1920s and 1930s
newspaper editorials, magazines, and other printed media extended both sides of
the ‘feminism’ versus ‘traditionalism’ debate with regards to women’s changing
roles in society as well as their relationship to jazz culture” (McGee). As the
quote states, social norms and women’s role in society began to change during
the jazz era due to the women’s rebellion. Jazz was a way for women to prove
that they were just as capable, if not better, than men in certain aspects. Music
is a universal language; it does not discriminate and is heard by all, giving
individuals an opportunity to have a voice and be heard.
Media Sources
http://youtu.be/XLCcQvboXig?t=3m8s –Women playing at the same level as men.
http://youtu.be/ddv0sLJI1ro -As seen in the beginning of this video, jazz allowed women
to be rebels through their clothing and actions such as smoking and dancing.
http://youtu.be/6yLb86BCdgs -This song, “Never Let No One Man Worry Your Mind”, shows
the attitudes of women and shows how they can rebel against men and express
themselves through music.
Primary Sources
McGee,
Kristin. "The Feminization of Mass Culture and the Novelty of All-Girl
Bands: The
Case of the Ingenues." Popular Music and Society 31.5 (2008):
629-62. Ebscohost.com. Web. 1 Nov.
2012.
Tucker,
Sherrie. “Telling Performances: Jazz History Remembered and Remade by the Women
in the Band.” Oral History Review 26.1 (1999): 67-84. Ebscohost.com. Web. 1. Nov. 2012.
