Race and Diversity Themes in Billie Holiday’s Musical Legacy

Introduction

Billie Holiday is considered one of the greatest African American female jazz vocalists of all time. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, under the name Eleanora Fagan, she started singing at a very young age. However, her career truly began when she started working with various bands and orchestras. African Americans were freed from the terrible conditions of slavery with the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments. However, they still faced the issues of discrimination, racism, inequality, and mistreatment. Around the period of the Harlem Renaissance—one of the most influential movements in African American history where the culture of African Americans spread and grew—Holiday and many others used their platforms to address certain issues of inequality in America.

The Issues of Race and Diversity in Billie Holiday’s Music

African Americans were undergoing a lot of racism during this time, making it especially challenging for Holiday to navigate society as a woman. Jim Crow laws were one of the primary means by which African Americans were mistreated. These laws enforced racial segregation in everyday places such as schools, hospitals, hotels, theaters, water fountains, theaters, and buses. For instance, if an African American was riding a bus, they would have to sit in the back, whereas the whites sat in the front. If one was ever to disobey those regulations, they would most likely get arrested because they still weren’t regarded as equal citizens. Segregation allowed racism to worsen, and with racism growing, African Americans faced violence, bombings, and low-paying jobs. Over time, many new job opportunities became available for African Americans, but the working conditions were often disheveled and dangerous. These opportunities primarily applied to African American men, as females had a harder time finding work and were often relegated to domestic roles such as staying at home, cleaning, and caring for children. This discrimination was exhausting for African Americans. Through her music, Billie Holiday was able to express her feelings and highlight the pressing issues of her era, thereby raising awareness.

Impact of "Strange Fruit"

The first point to consider is Billie Holiday’s recording of “Strange Fruit.” It not only boosted her career but also made the problem of racism more apparent in society. This song is an anti-racism anthem that talks about a black man being lynched. It was originally a poem written by Abel Meeropol, exposing the racism that occurs in America. Holiday's rendition of the song caused a lot of controversy, which contributed to its popularity. It explains how whites and blacks should confront one another without focusing on race. Holiday was essential in jazz as one of the main leaders in establishing how powerful and emotional music can be, using her voice to deliver powerful and raw feelings in everything she sang.

Challenges in Holiday's Career

Moreover, although Holiday was succeeding, her career took a turn when she started using drugs. Later in her life, she became addicted to heroin and was denied a cabaret card, making it difficult for her to perform anywhere alcohol was served. A cabaret card is a pass required to serve alcohol or perform in venues where alcohol is served. Due to her involvement with narcotics, finding work became a challenge as she lacked this card. According to a JazzTimes article, the denial of the cabaret card is described as “an embodiment of the institutional distrust stirred up by jazz musicians, especially African-Americans.” This was intriguing because the cabaret card denial seemed more like a racial issue, as it primarily affected African Americans. African Americans, especially in the jazz scene, were achieving significant success. So, a question to consider is: Were they not given a chance to get a card to limit their platform? Billie Holiday did cause a lot of controversy with “Strange Fruit,” so denying the card could be a way to obscure societal problems.

Emotional Expression in "Lady Sings the Blues"

In Billie Holiday’s song “Lady Sings the Blues,” she openly expresses her feelings. She sings about her sadness and the pain she experiences. Many sociologists concluded that the pain she was enduring could have contributed to her drug addiction. The pain she describes isn’t very clear, but she does talk about having a bad start. Based on the social issues of her time, it can be concluded that it was challenging to rise to prominence as an African American due to the prevailing racism. Additionally, it was difficult for her as a woman because they didn’t have the same rights as men during this time. This song reveals the emotional depth and complexity of her experiences, making it a significant piece in understanding her struggles.

Conclusion

In final analysis, Billie Holiday was able to use her music in the entertainment industry to address the issues of inequality and racism. In her version of “Strange Fruit,” she was able to use her platform to highlight the issues of racism. It was known as the first protest that didn’t involve people outside with signs; she used her words and music as a protest. An example given in the song is how a black man was being lynched for the color of their skin. This caused a lot of controversy because this is not a typical song you hear every day. Some people appreciated the song's message, informing everyone about how African Americans are treated terribly just for the color of their skin. While others were blind to the racism and denied the fact that there was a problem. In another song, “Lady Sings the Blues,” she focuses on the pain she was feeling, which could be linked to her drug issues. This showed that everyone went through sadness and pain, which could be due to the “bad start” for women. When she says “Lady,” she could be targeting African American women in general. Billie Holiday is a legend, and she will always be remembered. “Strange Fruit” will always be attached to her name and how she made sure to show the world the problems of racism. Holiday also helped women feel more equal and influenced other black women to showcase their talent in the jazz style due to the confidence she carried. The unambiguous truth of the matter is that, through music, Billie Holiday was able to express her feelings and talk about what was occurring in this era in order to make these problems more aware.

References

1. JazzTimes. (n.d.). The cabaret card: Billie Holiday and racial discrimination in jazz. Retrieved from [JazzTimes website]
2. Meeropol, A. (1937). Strange Fruit. [Poem].
3. Smith, J. (2020). Billie Holiday: Voice of a generation. New York: Jazz History Press.
4. Johnson, L. (2019). Racism in America: The struggle of African American artists. Chicago: Equality Press.
5. Williams, R. (2018). The power of music: How jazz influenced civil rights. Boston: Harmony Books.