October 13, 1912. The New York Times
Castle House Rag, 1914. Library of Congress
Castle House Rag, 1914. Library of Congress
Ragtime, a uniquely-American form of syncopated music, became closely associated with “coon songs,” which portrayed stereotypes of African-Americans.
October 13, 1912. The New York Times
The Ragtime Nightmare by Tom Turpin, 1900. Library of Congress
Ragtime began to emerge in the 1890s. As its popularity rose, so did criticism against it, from both blacks and whites.
May 15, 1901. The New York Times
"The Negro race is dancing itself to death. Our people are too frivolous because they feed on too much trash. You can see the effects of the Tango, the Chicago, the Turkey Trot, the Texas Tommy, and Ragtime music, not only in their conversations, but in the movement of their bodies about the home."
-Reverend Adam Powell, African-American pastor, 1914