Book Review: Project on Race, Rock and Elvis by Michael T. Bertrand (Essay Sample)

Book Review: Project on Race, Rock and Elvis by Michael T. Bertrand
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Debates regarding Elvis being an icon in the Southern Aberration are discussed by Bertrand, (2000) in his scholarly projections. According to Bertrand, the rock ‘n’ roll also referred to as the “organic intellectual” advanced racial ideologies that were central to those that existed in the South. Rock ‘n’ roll presents music and culture of the post war youth where positive assertions were featured in race relations. The popularity of these music scenes made Elvis somewhat sensitized regarding racial, regional and class connotations. The subject in this book is centered on the effects of popular culture in socio-economic attributes of the society.
Recording companies emerged although criticisms from conservative aesthetic that dominated the industry. Major recording companies capitalized on rhythm and blues which was popular with white artists. Failure to involve black artists made the industry unsuccessful. The white’s music was based on forged sounds which did not receive much airplay. Later, Bertrand asserts that “genuine” rock ‘n’ roll artists unleashed their southern origins through music. This was about the time when music took its youthful nature. Towards the end of the decade, Bertrand says the majors “had gained full control over rock ‘n’ roll cultural style.
Rock ‘n’ roll presented positive black attitudes which discontented the white teenagers. The clear messages included aspects of black equality and the white resistance to civil rights. The rock ‘n’ roll is associated to white teenage dissent which was expressed through Southern “massive resistance.” Through Bertrand assertions, music led to racial reforms that eventually changed the South. The potential of music was realized at a time when attitudes of the whites towards the blacks were controlled by civil right demands.
Race, Rock and Elvis managed to effectively argue in a way that brought out the relationship between, social, cultural, economical and political issues. The South during 1950s suggests that rock ‘n’ roll was an important phenomenon that presented the white working class complains in the social music standpoint. Bertrand argues that the white working class embraced the black culture during post war. The whites did so as an alternative to bourgeois and middle class values. This was also motivated by entertainment and profit. The resultant cultures looked down upon traditional racial perspectives. The black music was displayed ruthlessness with some degree of alienation hence black’s point of view were distinctive.
Bertrand believes that if rock n’ roll has the power to change black music and culture, it also has power to give suggestions to appropriation of rhythm and blues. White youth found themselves embracing black styles to rebel against conventional youth and class conviction. This means that the white youth went across color lines. Bertrand admits that Southern rock ‘n’ roll consisting of biracial artists and interracial dances were defiant. Rock ‘n’ roll also showed little evidence for any political ideology or race relations. Music has power to change relationships among races and more so, it managed to change white’s perceptions about the blacks.
Although Elvis performed in a black style, aspects of racial conformity lingered in his public career. This means that rock ‘n’ roll was a challenge to traditional racial conviction. Although Bertrand did not cover much of it, black culture was an easy culture. Black music attracted rebellion from teenagers. The white’s youth also shared the same interest but were overshadowed by racism. Arguments indicate that Elvis was merely imitating the blacks but his actions proved otherwise. According to his arguments, the Southern whites disregarded white black culture due to the nature of masculine values.
Bertrand talks about shared economic exploitation that emphasized on regional culture. For instance the term ‘cool’ which is associated with the black is a coping mechanism to fight racism. This was also a way of fighting the regional conflicts of class and status. The black masculine theories overlooked the role of women but, white women are not seen or heard at the onset of rock ‘n’ roll. Masculinity is a characteristic of the white working class but rare in the black culture.
Bertrand claims that not all whites in the South are racists. Change comes as a result of many reasons. The youth contribute to societal change while racial differences slowly disappear. Elvis entertained fans and his critics as well. Aspects of cross-racial dilemmas and multicultural appeal were more or less valid. Southern youths faced opposition regarding rock ‘n’ roll yet, the blacks made major strides that outsmarted the whites. Bertrand also explored how Elvis was criticized through racial rumors. The author cited journals and African American colleagues that knew Elvis to compile his impact on culture. Comparing Presley innovations, he emerges outstanding.
Elvis Presley became successful in the 1960s through music and his ideas on racism. Through Elvis Legacy, many changes were experienced in the racial landscape. Through rock ...