White Mzungo Lectures Black African Man
Where did American Blues Music come from? His tee-shirt triggers a story.
I feel sorry for my dear friend Hajii. He was my captive audience in 2022 when I visited him in his native Zanzibar. Then and there he politely listened to me lecture him on the origins of American Blues music, which are, of course, his people and his continent of Africa, and not white Mzungos like me.
I made the following video of my lecture. You can read Hajii’s face and tell me whether you think he cared or not.
Me? I care a lot. I think Africans and African-Americans should very proudly lay claim to what is one of the most significant contributions to world culture — The Blues — and its derivatives Hip-Hop, Soul, Funk, and Rock&Roll. Where would we be without all that great music?!?
I am grateful.
My kids and
both tell me I should be a teacher, mostly because I love to pontificate to an audience of people. I guess that’s why I have a podcast!If you have yet to check out my “How to Tour America Through Her Music” podcast, now is the time to do it! It’s free until the tenth episode, then it goes behind the paywall. Episode Six is all about (you guessed it!) — The Blues!
