Read David Wondrichs irreverent and dizzying history of early American popular music. First, youll read an account of the divided cultural worlds of the nineteenth century. Then, Wondrich briefly explores the emergence of the cakewalk, a dance fad that originated in African 

American culture and that represented a satire of white plantation life. From there, Wondrich 

explores the emergence of ragtime, another musical style rooted in African American culture 

that took the nation by storm. At times subversive, ragtime and its associated coon songs 

also perpetuated many stereotypes of African Americans. As we explore these genres, we will come to terms with the pervasive racism of the nineteenth century, and the impacts of popular culture in regards to racial norms. WARNING: This early music features lots of offensive 

racial language and imagery. Be prepared to encounter it. Only by understanding the deep 

roots of this offensive material can we understand its long-lasting legacy and move past its continuing impacts in American culture. We should not repeat the offensive words used in 

these materials in class.

Directions

Based on the reading, identify one way that popular music promoted racial discrimination 

and one way that it challenged racial discrimination between 1840 and 1910.  Provide a 

quotation from the text to support each claim.