My Life, as Guided by Jews

          

            My life has somehow been profoundly affected by Jewish culture, a culture that, as an Atheist (raised- Christian), the only part I have stake in is the insane jealously of my closest friends that I’m not involved in their cultural traditions. Jewish immigrants began their magic helping shape the music industry. Acting as many integral participants in this crazy business, reaching from composers and performers to publishers, and promoters. Eventually, they created the hit songs, referred to in Starr and Waterman’s book as a “standard,” the song that every artist, producer, label, A&R guy, etc. hopes they are lucky enough to stumble upon. A perfect song that hits the market at a perfect time. A song that’s influence and joy affects generations. A modern “My Blue Heaven.” Jewish immigrants crafted these songs, creating an AABA refrain that strikes the heart of many, and crafted the industry that let these songs circulate and affect millions of people. Almost a century later I come to Los Angeles hoping to make it big as an A&R rep somewhere, anywhere, striving to one day find my own “standard” and look upon the people positively affected by this song, while I laugh all the way to the bank, and reside in the plush hills of Hollywood. “Beverly Hills, that’s where I want to be!”

            ‘Talkies,’ too, were partly the work of Jewish people (they were the characters!). Jakie Robinowitz hits the screen singing his jazzy melody, and the rest is history. Silent movies slowly faded away and now we have full color, full multimedia movies, featuring huge actors. More important to the point of this class, huge publishing companies vying to have their songs featured in the next big Hollywood hit. Fortunately, our entertainment no longer features the degrading effects of blackface, something that The Jazz Singer was able to avoid for much into the movie before falling to it’s marketing ploy. Most importantly, pre-blacking up for his role Jack Robin was all business; it was the most important thing in his life, above his father, his mother, and his girlfriend. After the shoe polish hits Jack’s skin and he looks in the mirror, he suddenly becomes introspective. Torn between breaking his mother’s heart and the biggest break of his life. Through his blackface introspection he ultimately decides he should be with family. (Thankfully he miraculously makes it back in time for the show. I wonder, why didn’t he just do that from the start instead of being all dramatic? Actors.) Professor Kun noted that many blackface actors would use blackface to ponder their own individual meaning, or of being white, a culture that didn’t have many practices other than bringing down different races. We see this process take place in The Jazz Singer. Maybe Jack Robin should just go see his Rabbi instead of degrading and entire race? I sure wish I could.