The life of a slave did not give him much opportunity to create
artifacts which could later be catalogued as evidence of African
influence. However, he did create a unique music. While Negro
spirituals were not imported directly from Africa, they were more
than an attempt to copy the master's music. They represent
highly complex fusion of African and European music, of African
and European religion, and of African and European emotion.
Blues and jazz, which emerged at a later date, represent a
similar creative tension. They clearly evolve from the experience
of the African in America and include in them elements which can
be traced directly to Africa. Jazz is now viewed throughout the
world as American music. It demonstrates the fact that the
African immigrant was not totally detached from his heritage and
that he has made significant contributions to American culture.
While American slavery did violate the person of the slave, some
Africans, in the face of it all, managed to maintain some sense of
individuality and manhood.
Slave Response
Undoubtedly, the slave's most common response to his condition
was one of submission.
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