PROMPT: In her book Liner Notes for the Revolution, Daphne Brooks asks, “What happens to modernity when we hear it taking shape through the ears and voices and instrumentation of Black women?” Drawing on the reading from Brooks as well as your learning from lecture and section, write a brief (300-500 words) essay in answer to Brooks’ question. Why launch a study of the “modern” with Black women’s sonic culture?
This is a challenging question, asking you to think deeply about a subject you have only begun to think about. But it is also a challenge to use this writing prompt to deepen your understanding of Brooks’ text and its stakes for notions of “modern” cultural history.
PRO TIPS:
Get right to your response to the prompt. It is fine to start with something like “By following Daphne Brooks’ prompt to consider modernity through the lens of Black women musicians…. ”
Your essay should include at least two citations from Brooks’ text. Make sure not to “drop” a quote into your essay, but think about drawing a connection between the citation and your argument (see rubric)
Provide page numbers for your citations. A bibliography is not necessary.
You may use the first person in this essay.
Feel free to incorporate ideas from lecture, although you should also share your own ideas and questions
GOALS OF THE ASSIGNMENT:
to provide an outlet for your thinking about the concept of the “modern”
to give you a chance to get early feedback on your writing
to give you a benchmark for comparison at the end of the course
