random walk

[Charles Brown]

See Angela Davis' discussion of the
feminism of Black women blues singers,
including Billie Holiday, despite the
partial victim themes in some songs.
_Blues Women and Black Feminism_
(Ma Rainey, Bessie Smith and Billie
Holiday)
Speaking on her book here last spring,
Angela addressed the point discussed here.
She said she was co-teaching a course
on feminism with someone who questioned
the feminism of blues singers who are
complaining about getting beatup or
abandoned by men. Angela said, "but
usually by the end of the song the women
are strong , have recovered and
are ready for the next leg of life." Also,
she pointed out that there was a taboo
on discussing domestic violence and that
the blues singers were among the very few
talking about it at the time.

By the way, I know Justin is
a blues afficionado. He once sent me a copy of his
tape of Ma Rainey and other blues singers.
( I sent him a copy of an Angela Davis
lecture on Blues and Black Liberation)
I think he knows his blues. However, I think
if one listens to a lot of these women
singers, the feeling is of their strength
and , as Angela hypothesizes, subversive
daring, including feminism, rather than
victimization. The total process of the
blues is a transcendence of dog eat
dog, alienated existence under racist,
male supremacist capitalism.

Charles Brown

Black is Beautiful


>>> <JKSCHW at aol.com> 10/20 10:26 PM >>>
In a message dated 98-10-19 03:11:32 EDT, you write:

<< Why can't we get these girrrls to listen to Loretta Lynn or Chrisie 

 Hyde or

 >Etta James,now those are feminists. It just breaks my heart.

 

 And where does Billie Holliday fit into this?

  >>

 Bad show. Victim feminism. "He beats me too." --jks