3. The Racial Divide in Jazz
The jazz world was shaped by the harsh realities of segregation and racism, which restricted Black musicians’ access to venues, fair wages, and media exposure. Even as artists like Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong achieved global fame, they were often forced to use separate entrances or denied hotel accommodations. Firsthand accounts and historical analyses highlight how these performers navigated a world that celebrated their music but not always their humanity, underscoring jazz’s deep connection to the fight for civil rights.
