Lena Horne An American Icon - 3136 Words

LENA HORNE: AN AMERICAN ICON Fela Langston MUSI 305 Section A Dr. Zigler 13 May 2015 Lena Horne: an American Icon Lena Horne, born Lena Mary Calhoun Horne in Brooklyn, New York was an American jazz vocalist, actress and civil rights activist who lived from June 30, 1917 to May 9, 2010. Although Horne’s beauty and her elegance received praise throughout her career, her talents and impact on American society are equally unforgettable. She was an eight time Grammy nominee and was the recipient of three, including the Lifetime Achievement Award in 1989. She was a Tony Award nominee in 1957 and an Emmy Award nominee in 1985. She was also the recipient of several other awards, including a Tony in 1981†¦show more content†¦According to E. Franklin Frazier, an African American sociologist, the black bourgeoisie emerged as an isolated social world that exists as a result of racial discrimination. Members of the black bourgeoisie considered themselves to be superior because they were educated and wealthier than most African Americans. As a result of their believed superiority, members of t he black bourgeoisie refused to identify with African American culture. Interestingly enough, members of this social group could not identify with white culture either; they were rejected by white society and held â€Å"contempt of the white world.† In accordance with this attitude, Lena Horne’s grandmother, Cora Calhoun, was an active member of the NAACP with a distaste for poor blacks as well as whites. Due to her grandmother’s disdain for African American culture, Cora Calhoun disapproved of the musical genres that developed in the black community. While living with her grandmother, Lena did not have the privilege of listening to gospel or the blues. Horne s grandmother also taught her to value respectability, by always [looking] people in the eye, [speaking] distinctly, and never [letting] anyone see her cry. Cora Calhoun s advice to her young granddaughter had a tremendous impact on Horne s performance style. Lena Horne’s experiences while