My interpretation of Papa LaBas' statement about Jes Grew
My interpretation of Papa LaBas' statement about Jes Grew
By: E the Chef
During last week's discussion about Mumbo Jumbo, we went over Papa LaBas' statement which he basically refers to Jes Grew as being something that will never die and continue to live on through future generations of artists. Now, I am still convinced by the notion of Jes Grew being represented as black culture. I am more so looking at this in the time from the 20th century, this is mainly because it really hammer homes the idea of this resurgence of black culture, more so musically and how it would influence America.
Jes Grew would originate in New Orleans, Louisiana as a "plague" that caused people to sing and dance around. This, to me could be seen as a sort of metaphor on how this new wave of music would bring people together in a way that would never be seen before, but given that this comes from a different culture which is African culture, its labeled as a "disease" by white people. This type of music is perceived as being the blues and jazz, what's interesting is that it continues to spread, reaching New York which is were it would really start to blow up. This is especially given that this is the time of the Harlem Renaissance in the 1920s which was known for the increasing popularity of jazz and the blues being present in Harlem. Now down to Papa LaBas point of how Jes Grew will continue to stay, but the way that it changes is that it changes forms, almost like reincarnation.
However, as noted, there have been attempts to try to quell down this plague of Jes Grew, even throughout this new age of Jes Grew. This is where the white Atonist Order, who's main goal is to quell Jes Grew come in. If we look at this in the perspective of the rise of hip hop, we can see how a lot of people may perceive it as being an actual "disease", given that they can see it as being something that may cause a bad influence to their children (I'm mainly pointing out white parents in this part). It's also the dislike of the fact that a culture that didn't immediately stem from their origins (mainly coming from Africa) could overtake their own culture, thus they view it as a sort of invasion and overtaking of their own culture which causes them to lose their own separate cultural identity.
The idea that Jes Grew is specifically a representative of African (and African-influenced) culture is really interesting, and practically incontestable. I would however ask: If Jes Grew has existed before time, where does that fit in to this interpretation? Nonetheless, it is widely known that human life started in Africa, so in a way, Jes Grew had to have started there too, maybe?
ReplyDeleteIt's true that the whole "viral culture" metaphor in this novel pivots on the idea that the Black people don't perceive the music or dance as a "disease" at all, but also that the white young people who contract it are generally HAPPY to contract it--it "enlivens" them, makes them joyous and exuberant. As Louis Armstrong's quote in the epigraph suggests, "the spirit hits them and they follow." There is indeed a repressive force that is unhappy to see this viral spread, but that isn't depicted as all "white people"--it's specifically the power structure/secret society embodied by the Wallflower Order and Atonism more generally, and they are specifically trying to crack down on Jes Grew BECAUSE it is spreading so widely. Clearly, within this fictional frame, Black culture spreading to all of America is seen as a threat by the powers that be, and I would say we can find a lot of evidence for this dynamic throughout "real" history, even if there's no mention of a Jes Grew virus or Wallflower Order backlash. When these guys talk about controlling the spread, it's clear that they are mainly talking about controlling its spread into white communities of young people, as if they will be forever lost to "civilization" once they start doing the Charleston.
ReplyDeleteHey Elliott, I agree that Jes Grew is a representation of Black culture taking different forms. I like how you talk about how one of the main reasons Atonists dislike Jes Grew is because the culture doesn't originate from white culture, and that it could "corrupt" their own culture. Going of your Michael Jackson example, I wonder if we can say that the average white person wants to be exposed to Jes Grew, like Mr. Mitchell said. This would mean that perhaps Reed is generalizing white people unfairly in the book, however that is probably his intention to get a strong reaction out of people. Great post!
ReplyDeleteHello Elliott, one thing I am thinking of now is how music might not have to be the only 'Jes Grew.' Just hobbies and culture, as partially indicated by the importance of dancing in 'Jes Grew'. It is hard for me to think of a popular hobby today that only African culture embraces, so I'll make one up. What would white parents think if sports were just starting to be introduced into American society. Most likely that they are dangerous, and are to confusing to follow (depending on the sport of course.) Similar to Mumbo Jumbo.
ReplyDeleteHi Elliott! I really like how you trace Jes Grew's evolution through different eras of black music. It truly makes Papa LaBas' statement about Jes Grew's immortality feel so real and grounded through the music. Your argument also points to the fact that Jes Grew isn't solely the music itself, but rather it being the constant renewal of cultural influence in general. This circles back to me how Papa LaBas says that Jes Grew can never die because it will just take on new forms, forms that don't have to be quite as based in music and rhythm. Great post!
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