New Orleans School board Reverse unanimous but unknown century old ban on Jazz in schools with Her boss said her origins are racist, in a city It can be said that it is the capital of jazz of The world And played tremendously role in The development of jazz and where it is still played at night various Places.
“I am so glad we can undo this policy. me want to acknowledge it. was rooted in racism,” Orleans School Board Chairman Olin Parker said during Thursday night’s meeting also want To acknowledge the tremendous contributions of Our students especially of Our band directors, whose legacy continues from 1922 to the present day.
The board’s decision said that wanted To correct the previous action of School board and jazz promotion music and jazz dance in schools.”
Board minutes of March 24, 1922, said “It was decided that jazz music Jazz dance is cancelled in The public schools.” 1 member – who He walked out on a special Finally called the meeting of The session Because reporters were not allowed to cover it – abstain on Jazz.
Officials told The Times Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate that 1922 board members were trying distance students of the type with African American ancestry.
Copy of a news Snapshot from 1922, posted on The newspaper website did not mention race. Quoted by the sponsor of the decision Mrs. a. Baumgartner,” saying she’s seen “a lot.” of Rough Dance In After School events. “This cheek-to-cheek dance is horrible,” she said.
Ken Ducotte, Executive director of Greater New Orleans Co-operative Society of Charter schools, brought policy To board attention after reading about it in Kennedy’s book “Chord Changes on The Blackboard: How Public School Teachers Shaped Jazz and Music of New Orleans.”
“It was just one of Those things that are buried in books,” board Carlos Zervigon said Friday. “Obviously it was ridiculous and never applied. But what a chance to be able to go back and vice versa on centenary of His passing and acknowledgment of what our schools have played in formation and development of music in our classrooms,” he explained.
the earliest board’s vote on March 24, 1922 passed without ‘prior policy development, analysis or discussion”, and the proposal was not on schedule of work current board pointed out.
“We are happy because policy It was ignored by our schools, because our schools played a major role role in The development of Jazz,” said member Catherine Baudouin.
