Music for White People

Some things are inappropriate, simply because times have changed. Just ask Paula Dean or more recently at Halloween, Julianna Hough. Both of whom have been considered to be disrespectful to black people. Is that the right word? Black? Or is coloured the preferred term and if so preferred by whom? It's not my intention to offend.

I tend to be drawn to things that are controversial though. And to me, often inappropriate is up to the individual.

I bought this sheet music at an auction house many years ago. It cost me $10. I wish it wasn’t ripped but that's another story. Its still a very good sign of the times and how they have changed. Back then it wasn’t considered inappropriate by many people. It was entertainment. Today however some of the songs are likely very offensive.

But I’m still fascinated. Look at songs. My favourites are 'Mary’s gone with a Coon' and 'My best friend was Mother.' Not songs that would be appreciated today. As far as I know Minstrel performances no longer exist, so they're quite out of context simply as sheet music. It’s still amazing to think that these songs would have been written, played on the piano and possibly even recorded. Mind you future generations (even my own right now) might think the same of Miley Cyrus's song Wrecking Ball with accompanying horrible video!

Additionally the picture of the man on the cover of the book, I'm guessing was to encourage sales of the sheet music. Its Billy Kersands. He was a black comedian-dancer and very popular in his day, particularly for his work in blackface minstrelsy. In his performance he is thought to have been able to find a balance between trying not to reinforce the negativity of social sterotypes and enjoying social satire.

I wonder if Ms Barwell, whose name is in handwriting at the top of my sheet music and whom I imagine to be a white lady, had any opposition to learning these songs or whether she entertained others with her renditions on Sunday afternoons?