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In my opinion, the 1920s as a decade is best summed up by two words: Farmer’s Despair. While the 1920s were a decade of prosperity for most of America, the farmers of this decade experienced their own Great Depression. The roaring 20s was a continuous cycle of debt for the American farmer.

It all began when the 1920 census declared that 51.2% of Americans lived in urban area while 48.8% of the population lived in rural areas. For the first time in history, more Americans lived in cities than in rural areas. As expressed in the Chicago Daily Tribune’s comic “City and Country Population”, the farming population, which was once the strong foundation of America’s growing economy, was now being crushed by its counterpart.

The roots of the farmer’s financial crisis stems from World War 1. During the war, agricultural exports to Europe skyrocketed, which caused a high demand for crop that most farmers could not keep up with. Crops such as corn, wheat and cotton became very expensive. The result was a speculative boom in the farming economy. Farming prices were raised and rural Americans enjoyed a short period of prosperity. After the war, exports to Europe suddenly decreased and prices dropped rapidly. This price collapse brought about a rural financial collapse. Now, farm families had to deal with the falling prices and decreasing demands for farm labor. As America became more industrialized, there was no longer as great a need for farm labor. However, many people were attached to this lifestyle; financially and psychologically.

Norma Ehlers was born into a farm family based in Nebraska in 1926. Much of her childhood was spent doing chores which included feeding the chickens and milking the cows twice a day. This lifestyle was common amongst farm families and holds emotional value to Norma. She says, "My land and my home mean so much to me. It isn't just a house and it isn't just some dirt out there that we put some seeds in it's, – Oh, it's living, it's a part of me. My grandparent's blood, sweat and tears went into that and my dad's and now my husband's and son's and grandson's, you know”. Like Norma, much of America’s rural population were emotionally attached to this lifestyle and suffered from its downfall.

Rural Americans of the 1920s not only experienced a economic crisis, but a cultural and socio-economic crisis as well. There was a stark difference between the lives of city dwellers and farm families. While Americans who lived in urban areas enjoyed electricity, indoor plumbing, refrigerators, or other modern inventions, most farm families such as those in rural Nebraska, had none of these services. It took another decade for municipal electricity, water systems, telephone systems, streetlights, and sewage systems to reach rural areas.

In the end, the coming of the 1930s and the Great Depression, caused more despair within farming communities as their already dire circumstances intensified.

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Future Technology

In my opinion, the 1920s as a decade is best summed up by the two words, “future technology.” During this time there was an advancement in all types of technology including automobiles, radio, movies, telephones, vacuum cleaners, washing machines, and much more. This was only the beginning of what future technology would look like. If 1920’s technology never advanced, who knows what it would be like now, especially since the generation now revolves all around technology.

Have you ever wondered when cars became popular or when the beginning stages of our modern car became popularized, well it was during the 1920s. For the first time, cars had a break in all four tires, a safety glass that did not shatter was invented, and closed sedans became very common. In addition, you may think that cars only started to have style and comfort only in recent decades, but during this time, style and comfort were decently high. Obviously cars were not as safe as the ones we have today, however, cars had become considerably safe during this time. Cars took a tremendous step forward during the 1920s by inventing a version of  the basic modern car from today.

Radios became one of the most popular entertainment systems in the 1920s, almost every home had one. You may not listen to the radio now and that it is considered old fashion, however, you may not realize but radios are the reason you have different music platforms like Spotify. It all began when the technology behind radios started to look more and more like our radios today. People were able to listen to all types of things: sports, news, concerts, sermons, and “Red Menace” news. There was a large range of entertainment that allowed the radio market to target a variety of people. As more people purchased the radios, the number of radio stations increased. The oldest being KDKA, but by 1922, 600 radio stations had popped up. Once radio stations became popular, advertisement was introduced changing the use of this platform. As a result, the federal government hesitated to regulate airwaves leading to many conflicts. Because of this, the Radio Act of 1927 had to form to organize Federal Radio Commission.

In addition to radios, telephones had also begun to greatly evolve during the 1920s. It slowly became a form of communication that anyone could use. The beginning stages of a telephone started with the candlestick design and handset, and later the automated exchange was introduced. The automated exchange was a major advancement in telephone communication during this time because it allowed people to directly connect to the other side from their home without needing to contact an operator. The automated exchange was one step closer to the future phone like the iPhone you may be reading from right now.

Modern technology really began its advancement in the 1920s which included automobiles, radios, and telephones which started to take strides towards the technology we see today. Because of all the inventions and improvements that occurred during this time, they were able to lead to even newer and advanced technology that helped shape future generations. I feel that if the telephone or television did not begin to modernize at such an early stage, then kids now would not have iPhones, and maybe media services such as Netflix and Hulu would not exist. On top of that, if the advancement of radios had not lead to radio stations we would not have Spotify, Pandora, or Apple music. Because of how much the 1920s has led to the future technology we have today, I think that it is appropriate to call this period, “future technology.”

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In my opinion, the 1920’s as a decade is best summed up by two words: balling out! Sports today are incredibly popular, but we have to wonder when did they become America’s pastime? When were athletes not just seen as athletic geniuses but also celebrities and role models? In this post I am going to explore sports in the 1920’s and prove that they defined our perspectives on sports and athletes today.

Due to the fact that sports were beginning to be in such high demand, tens of thousands of people began to watch sports for live entertainment. This led up to your average Joe paying money to watch his or her hero. Ginormous stadiums were being built to serve these massive groups of fans. As a New Yorker I feel obliged to bring up the “World’s Most Famous Arena” which is more commonly known as Madison Square Garden. MSG (which was a theater/concert venue prior to the rebuilding) was rebuilt in 1925 to accommodate sports such as:basketball, boxing, and hockey. It could host around 20,000 people! Another famous stadium that was built was Yankee stadium, which hosted the baseball club, the New York Yankees.  The 2.5 million dollar Stadium (which translates to over $30,000,000 now) had a capacity near 75,000 people! This marked a new era for stadiums as Yankee Stadium was one of the first grounds specifically created for entertainment that could host such an absurd amount of people.

Yankee Stadium was nicknamed “The House That Ruth Built” to honor one of, if not the best baseball players in the history of the sport, Babe Ruth. Babe Ruth was everyone’s hero. He is a prime example of an athlete who was a role model to many young Americans and others around the globe. His impact stretched further than the baseball field. He impacted millions across the planet.  His funeral was held at the well known St.Patrick's Cathedral in New York City and over 100,000 people came to say their last goodbyes to one of baseball’s most beloved heroes and whom I regard as the 8th wonder of the world.

Along side of baseball came football which also began to pick up steam. The then newly created American Professional Football Association (which was created in 1920 and is now known as the NFL) created a new whirlwind of fandom in sports. The New York Football Giants, the Green Bay Packers, the Arizona Cardinals, and the Chicago Bears were all created in the 1920’s and are only 4 of the 14 teams that played originally. The popularity of football began to soar which led to the 32 team National Football League which makes approximately $10,000,000 a year.

College sports also became popular during this time. College football and baseball were the two main college sports watched by Americans until basketball made a name for itself.

As you can see all of the above sports are still played today and are more popular than ever. Athletes have made history within their own sports and in other topics such as social justice. Stadiums today host more than Yankee Stadium ever did. No other decade changed sports as much as the roarin’ 20’s and entertainment would never be the way it is if the 1920’s did not introduce us to both professional and collegiate levels of sports.

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Wet;) orDry

In my opinion, the 1920s as a decade is best summed up by two words: Wet orDry. From the beginning of time, man has been led astray from the path of God to indulge in the seven deadly sins. What monstrosity could cause such destruction? Alcohol. Tempted by spirits he poisons his mind and soul. Ten years ago, on January 17, 1920, the Prohibition(aka Volstead Act) was enacted nationwide and it banned the sale and import of alcoholic beverages. The American Temperance Society and Women’s Christian Temperance Union were and still are the leading advocates for the Prohibition laws. While this has helped keep criminal drunkards at bay, it hasn’t stopped them from drinking the poison that feeds their sinful habits. Out of general concern and spiritual duty as a Protestant, I believe we need to take this Amendment one step further and outlaw the consumption of alcoholic beverages.

The people who frequent and run the speakeasies would be running rampant without the prohibition laws. It shows the character of these criminals. If they were given the freedom to drink the country would spiral downwards and criminals like them would pollute the population with no ramifications. Bootleggers and Alky cookers are devils in disguise. They exploit men and women who have little restraint out of greed. They disregard the health and faith of their victims because they’re too concerned about making money. The Mafia and other organized crime gangs follow in suit and even pressure the population to give into their desires. Since most of the population choose to disobey the prohibition laws, it seems like they’re making a mockery of the justice system. Young men and women are being tricked into thinking the life as a criminal is glamorous and fun. They’re tempted to give into short-lived pleasures instead of looking to God. They drown in their sins by supporting the Wet movement. By enforcing abstinence the country’s population will gain self-control and will become less susceptible to the 🤬's advocates.

Alcohol is ruining marriages and breaking families apart. Men choose to laze around and drink instead of working to provide for their families. Divorce is becoming increasingly prominent. Committing adultery these days is barely a surprise. Poor bastards are forced to roam this earth in shame because of their parent's uncontrollable lust. The illegitimate birth rate is high, specifically among the colored population. While white women have an 8.1% rate of illegitimate births, colored women have a high rate of 21.8%. Together that almost 1 in every 3 women that conceived a child before marriage or as a single woman. It’s poisoning the minds of the innocent and pure population of young women. When under the influence they become confused and dissatisfied with their lives. Filled with envy and wrath they try to take away men’s roles. They become too bold and prideful, thinking their minds are as valuable and precious as their bodies. Save your women from the confusion that cause them stress and pain. Men who are strong-willed and faithful have the option of meeting beautiful women, such as these ladies:

However, men who give into their gluttonous habits and temptation are left to choose from the rest of the scum that roams this earth. Young men of this country, abstain for the sake of your women and your souls. Join arms and become members of the Anti-Saloon League. Let’s all be Dry together.

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Modesty’s Downfall

In my opinion, the 1920s as a decade is best summed up by two words: Modesty’s Downfall. Since 1920, women have been given far too much freedom in their fashion, their independence, and their liberties. Women now wear these immodest flapper dresses and boyish haircuts called a “bob” instead of the elegant bun that most women in my day fashioned. Back in the ‘80s, 1880s that is, women wore corsets and floor-length dresses in order to prove their modesty while still showing the feminine figure so that men like me could view their beauty and their value. Now, the trend in women’s fashion seems to be leaning towards more manly styles: shapeless dresses, short hair, bare skin. Clearly, the women are striking back against Men and trying to assume Man’s position simply by changing their appearances. It’s really quite astounding. For a woman to truly believe that, by dressing more scandalously and cutting her hair, she can somehow become as strong and powerful as a Man. Ridiculous. One of those horrid flapper girls is that Zelda Fitzgerald. As the daughter of a respected and prominent local judge and the wife of published author and military man, F. Scott Fitzgerald, one would expect far better behavior from her; even she has fallen prey to the 🤬’s work here in our once-great country.

The 1920s have also heralded an era of far too much independence for women, leading them to make decisions for themselves – bad decisions which ruin their own lives. Once-respectable women have become immoral party girls who smoke in public, dance at jazz clubs, drink alcohol, and practice a sexual freedom that is absolutely disgusting and brings shame upon their families. Jazz is a springboard for promiscuity and drug taking. Women should be gentle, delicate, not indecent drug addicts cheating on their husbands any chance they get. “Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.” Ephesians 5:22. Women should be subdued. Do you know that America now has the second highest divorce rate in the world (second, of course, only to those communists in the Soviet Union). This new-found independence for women is destroying not only our society but the sacred vow of marriage. Just look at Ruth Snyder, that promiscuous woman who murdered her own husband in cold blood with the help of her adulterous lover, Judd Gray. It is only fair that the two of them were sentenced to death for their crime. This independence-driven thirst for the pleasures of the underworld is turning women of society into useless drug-filled girls. Look. Look at this possessed woman:

{picture of scary flapper girl}

Who is she? She is just another one of those despicable women who has succumbed to the plague of nightclubs and drinking and 🤬. And above all of this, now women have the right to vote thanks to the 19th Amendment. So now these indecent, improper, drug junkies are going to be able to influence political decisions in our great United States of America, taking advantage of the liberties that they do not deserve. This is it. This is the end. The end of our wonderful country all because of the utter destruction of modesty.

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Installment Buying is Credited with the Illusion of Economic Prosperity

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Installment Buying is Credited with the Illusion of Economic Prosperity

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In my opinion, the 1920s as a decade is best summed up in two words: money mirage. While the 1920s was undoubtedly an era of great prosperity in technology and large industries, the economic success associated with the decade was merely an illusion fueled by the massive wave of consumerism that new and easy access to credit brought about.

All of the major markers of the roaring twenties―luxurious lifestyles, mass production of goods, large advertisement industries, stocks and investments, new and modern technology―were possible because of people’s desire to spend and consume in the market. Credit, or paying in installments, made it even easier for people to indulge in this lifestyle. Installment buying allowed buyers to obtain immediate use of goods or services before paying for them in full by allowing buyers to make small periodic payments, called installments, until they satisfy the cost of the product. This method made expensive items much more attainable to many more people, causing a massive spike in consumerism.

The automobile industry is a good example. By the end of the 1920s, American consumers bought 75% of cars on credit, making the automobile a popular luxury. Higher demand allowed companies to take advantage of mass production manufacturing to keep up with demand. This ultimately lowered the cost to manufacture the automobiles. In 1912, a Ford Model T car, the most popular car in America at the time, cost $600. By 1924, the same car cost only $290.

While the growth in the market following the increase in consumerism was seemingly beneficial to America’s booming economy, beneath the surface was a struggling, poor working class. As wealthy workers saw their incomes growing rapidly, poor workers barely saw change; credit was mainly being used by those who had the means to spend. Furthermore, even as wages increased and products became more affordable, installment buying made it easy for consumers to spend beyond their means. As large companies like Ford and Chrysler grew, others declined, such as iron and railroad industries, which caused huge numbers of workers to be laid off. The farming population, which was once the foundation of American society, became increasingly weaker and farmers were eventually unable to pay back loans from the war.

Although credit was helpful in sparking America’s rapid prosperity, it left the country with no stable economic foundation, evidenced by the Great Depression that followed. The consumer culture that emerged from the acceleration of credit created the illusion that America was experiencing it's greatest financial peak, but in reality the economy’s infrastructure was being compromised.

Image: http://altmaterialism.weebly.com/uploads/3/0/2/5/30254947/2524777.png?444
Jaden Gonzalez

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Corruption + Prosperity = A Conflicted Reflection on the 1920’s in America

In my opinion, the 1920s as a decade is best summed up by two words: corruption and prosperity.

I believe the reasons for the United State’s prosperity was because of the countries overall global economic success. WWI put the US in a very influential position because all the battles took place in Europe. This meant that the American workforce and factories could be used to help rebuild Europe, and reliably supply most things to the world. The US’s manufactured goods were 40% of the national market. Another reason for the United States’ prosperity is it’s monopoly of the global automarket. They dominated the car industry, with 85% of all automobile sales. The success of the car helped other industries flourish such as: oil, steel, rubber, glass, and leather. Each of these industries are needed to create, maintain and use the car.

A drastic change in values created a unique opportunity for economic growth. Americans generally valued their profession, and their profession defined them. Around the 1920’s these values changed, and people’s lives were now defined by how much money they could spend on leisurely activities. Americans desired excess, not satisfaction from work. This made activities like sports games, movies, vacations and circuses more desirable, as well as growing markets. Certain outcomes included sports being broadcasted on the radio, snacks being mass produced, and modes of travel being used more often. Those people who ran these newfound businesses would participate in the same activities, furthering the cycle. This cyclical process helped invigorate the United State’s economy and prosperity alongside the rebuilding of Europe.

Many people wonder why was there so much crime and conflict in the 1920’s. When the prohibition was enacted, many people disagreed with the amendment. Bribery and smuggling goods became very easy. The 5th largest industry in America was essentially asked to stop producing. At first, alcohol usage dropped by 30%. Then in a few years time, it shot up 70%. In my opinion the usage rose because the added risk factor made it more appealing, and how easy it was to obtain. Gang members made it very easy to own alcohol by providing “alky cookers” to families in the neighborhood. They would pay the families $15 a day then, or $188 in 2016. The gangsters would get roughly a gallon of pure alcohol from each family, then water it down and sell the alcohol to speakeasies for roughly $6 a gallon. It cost 50 to 75 cents to get the raw materials. The gangsters made a large profit. Some big names are Machine Gun Kelly, Al “Scarface” Capone, Dutch Schultz, and the infamous Bonnie and Clyde, the couple in crime. Many police and political officials also thought alcohol should be legal and would drink themselves. This opened the door to bribery, and led to more damage. Corruption could be found all across the country, it was not in one city or state. I believe corruption and prosperity are connected because they both reflect what the general populace desires.

Sources:

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2268971/Inside-speakeasies-1920s-The-hidden-drinking-spots-transformed-New-York-Citys-night-life-prohibition-era-beyond.html - Image

https://www.ncpedia.org/history/20th-Century/1920s - Information

http://prohibition.themobmuseum.org/the-history/the-prohibition-underworld/bootleggers-and-bathtub-gin/ - Information

https://topdocumentaryfilms.com/hidden-secrets-gangsters-1920s-1930s/ - Information

Textbook pages 760-781 - Information

https://www.alcoholproblemsandsolutions.org/corruption-during-prohibition-of-alcohol/ - Information

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In my opinion, the 1920s as a decade is best summed up by two words: Defining Jazz. Jazz, originally from New Orleans, was one of the highlights of the 1920s. If you look up the definition of the word today, you would see, along with historical content, that it also means excitement and hype. The opinions on jazz, however, came through with that definition. Jazz in the 1920s was controversial along with appealing and had many describe it as scary rather than exciting. Some thought of jazz as too explicit and immoral, being a concept of racial divisiveness during the decade, but ironically, bringing the two divided races in the United States into a diverse society. Knowing these opinionated interpretations of the genre, what can be a general way to describe jazz nowadays? With the way society in America resulted in terms of social justice, it can be said that jazz is a musical genre that can bring unity and diversity.

A form of jazz that exceptionally spurred debate was ragtime. The controversy that rose from the high-tempo, upbeat style of music was about the mood ragtime created for those who heard it. Some Americans found ragtime to be non-educational, believing that should not be the purpose of music. Instead of playing a tune for the thought, ragtime made people feel the urge to move to the beat. Additionally, many did not like ragtime because it was created by African Americans. This opinion was long before jazz was used for the civil rights movement, started to appeal to white people, and brought equality.

From a world of lynchings and black people in poverty, a specific form of jazz, the blues, has emerged. The blues promoted the difficulties of the lives of black people, which gave an even bigger cultural emphasis on black culture. Along with jazz spreading as entertainment, it also promoted black rights. Blues (and jazz in general) was used to fight for the civil rights movement and brought more controversy because many white people felt targeted. When Louis Armstrong, one of the most famous black jazz entertainers of the twentieth century, recorded the song “(What Did I Do To Be So) Black and Blue?” (originally by Fats Waller) one of the lyrics particularly stood out:

“My only sin

Is in my skin

What did I do

To be so black and blue?”

Being a civil rights advocate, Armstrong referenced racism in this song. This was a risk for him due to certain public opinions. However, despite the constant debates, jazz music was one of the most successful tools that brought white and black people together as one.

With all this information, it is fair to conclude that jazz is one of the most powerful genres on the planet. It can vary from the mood to dance, to teach, to think, entertain, and to empower. Growing up with jazz culture myself, I definitely think that there is something about the genre that creates an environment that people at all ages can enjoy, starting with individual connections to a song and bringing musical ties among people that can go across the world.

Sources:

http://historyproject.uci.edu/files/2016/03/11.5-HOT-Early_Days_of_Jazz.pdf

https://www.thoughtco.com/jazz-and-the-civil-rights-movement-2039542

https://www.jstor.org/topic/jazz/?refreqid=excelsior%3Aa557e064e64e1dc311849d39acd5cda7

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_and_Blue_(Fats_Waller_song)

https://www.biography.com/people/louis-armstrong-9188912

Image Source: https://decopolisstudios.wordpress.com/2014/09/19/musical-trends-of-the-1920s-jazz-age/

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In my opinion, the 1920s as a decade is best summed up by two words: false desires. After World War I ended America became a consumer society. In the twenties companies started to mass advertise and market to a specific type of people because they knew they had the money to spend on their products. Companies thought of advertising as a business strategy which soon led to manipulation. Celebrities started to debut in advertisements in order to persuade Americans to buy all different types of products. Advertisements and marketing then began to be about playing the game. Each company wanted to make their goods appear to be the most desirable.

Most ads focused on women in an effort to make them feel insecure, so they would buy the brand’s product. The ads influenced them to change themselves in order to win over a man or be more beautiful. The advertisements would state that a woman's only talent was her beauty and if she possessed that, she would certainly attract everyone. They used the insecurities of women to ensure sales. In this decade, the popular way of marketing was by portraying women as objects rather than real people who do not need to be altered or conquered.

Other advertisements showed women in the roles of homeworker and mother. In society in the 1920’s the norm was for the woman to stay at home with the children while the man went to work to earn a living. It was considered a mother's responsibility to choose the best products for their family and companies used that to their advantage. Advertisements depicted the perfect family, and therefore women desired to have the life showcased in the ads. Companies used the image of the perfect family life to attract all types of people in hopes that their consumer target would fall for the trick. Most advertisements showed a woman in the kitchen, putting their children to bed and bathing them. It was impossible to change the way society looked at women when advertising made everyone strive to achieve the perfect image.

Since the 1920’s, society is ever changing. The advertisements in the twenties portrayed women as helpless and made beauty the most admirable quality. Advertisements featured sexist imagery and that has continued for many decades since. Yes, women were given the right to vote, but that did not change the role they played. For many decades woman continued to be housewives, but in the twenties some women started to work or become flappers. Flappers were viewed differently than other women. Instead of wearing conservative clothing like most, they broke the norm and wore smaller clothing, more makeup and, drove cars. They were considered obnoxious because they did not play by the rules. However, women continued to break rules over the future decades and today advertising reflects women in confident, successful imagery. Then (and now), advertisements offered desirable views on who women should want to be.  This is why marketing became such a popular tactic; products were sold because ads influenced consumers to dream of being the people within them -- and the only way to truly achieve that dream was to buy the product.

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Painting the Sky: the High Art of Skyscrapers in the Twenties

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Painting the Sky: the High Art of Skyscrapers in the Twenties

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Zachary

3/11/19

In my opinion, the 1920s as a decade is best summed up by two words: Soaring Buildings. There were many massive buildings built during the 1920s which created many workplaces for people and brought people to the cities. This also was because of the new way in which materials could be mass produced. Chicago and New York were the cities that had the most skyscrapers during the 1920s. New York and Chicago had different skyscraper styles. New York experimented with the tower design where buildings were tall, narrow eyesores. Chicago led the way with skyscraper design in the 1880s and 1890s where the design was buildings being long but not tall. All in all, the construction of skyscrapers in American cities represented the development of competing styles of art and culture surrounding the wealth generated during this decade.

Chicago had many glamorous buildings built in the 1920s and a bunch of different art styles, but most of them were long. The Wrigley Building was built between 1921 and 1924, to house the headquarters of Wrigley Chewing Gum. The building has a terra coda facade that glows when it is lit up at night. “The French renaissance design details are modeled after the Girlada Tower of Seville's Cathedral.” Another building is the Turbine Tower which was built between 1922 and 1925. They hosted a design competition for their new headquarters and the first prize was 50,000 dollars. They wanted a beautiful building which rivaled any building in the world. This represents the art form of Chicago architecture, one competing style among many during this time.

New York, on the other hand, had tall skyscrapers that showed power and strength.”New York City is the Art Deco capital of the world!” New York’s most famous building was the Chrysler Building which was an architectural masterpiece.“With ground broken on September 19, 1928, so began a race to build the tallest building in NYC”. William Van Allen designed the Chrysler building to be very artistic. The colors inside the Chrysler Building are dominated by gold, black, silver, red, and green. There are horizontal black and white stripes between floors. “...the great crown with its seven layers of crescent setbacks inset with triangular windows. Brightly lit at night, the crown is still one of the most distinctive elements on the New York City skyline”. The height of the Chrysler building was 1,046 feet. Another building that is a masterpiece is the Flatiron Building which was built in 1902. “The building was intended to serve as offices for the George A. Fuller Company, a major Chicago contracting firm”. The building was 307 feet high, is shaped like a perfect right triangle, and is built around a skeleton of steel, fronted with limestone. This symbolizes the unique artistic New York culture that emerged: Art Deco masterpieces to house the financial success of the city at the time.

Image source: http://www.nyc-architecture.com/MID/MID021.htm

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Superficial Equality: Is the Representation of Women and African Americans in the 1920s truly liberating?

In my opinion, the 1920s as a decade are best summed up by two words: superficial equality. Even though the 1920s has brought great change to the United States, is there truly equality between the sexes and the races? Or is this newfound “equality” just for white America’s satisfaction? Let me give you a hint: there is no equality. Is the abuse of African Americans and the exploitation of women equal and fair? This booming “equality” that many refer to is nothing more than brainwashing minorities into thinking that white people believe they are their equals.

Despite the advancements that women have gained this decade, such as the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote, there is still vast amounts of inequality between the sexes. Let’s take a look at the representation of women. Ever since flappers became popular several years ago, images of women have dominated advertisements. Advertising everything from hair products to makeup to cigarettes, women are portrayed in these advertisements to emphasize one's greatest insecurities. Has anyone ever noticed that all the women in these ads look the same: skinny, white and overly feminine? The portrayal of these “ideal” women form thoughts in every female citizen that they must look a certain way, either for success or the attention of men. Not only are these women objectified and overly sexualized, but these ads force women to think that they should change themselves based on the superficial norms of society.

Take the advertisement of Lucky Strike cigarettes. The advertisement uses a beautiful white woman to promote weight loss. This ad wants to convince women to lose weight so that they can attract men. Is this really the way we want our little girls to grow up? Even this advertisement for Palmolive states that women need to be pretty and look a certain way or else they will never attract a man. This idea is completely flawed and built upon sexist perspectives of women.

Even the Harlem Renaissance was just a ploy to use black people for the entertainment of whites. Harlem was thriving from the work of new African American artists, such as Langston Hughes, Duke Ellington, and Louis Armstrong. Although the Harlem Renaissance was built upon African Americans’ desire for empowerment, the outcome arguably made the already limited opportunities available to black men even fewer. Even though the Harlem Renaissance was the first time that it was acceptable for Americans of both races—as equals—to make social contact, the Harlem Renaissance is not a true advancement for African Americans. The Harlem Renaissance was created and used for the pleasure and amusement of white people only. One of the most famous nightlife locations, the Cotton Club, was created for the purpose for white people to experience black culture without having to socialize with African Americans. Is this really true advancement if it is only for the satisfaction of white America? In my book, it is a joke to say this is equality.

The United States wants everyone to believe that the 1920s is the decade of prosperity and equality. However, the way that women and African Americans are treated is a disgrace to society. These misogynistic and racist portrayals of women and blacks raise the question: is the representation of women and African Americans in the 1920s truly liberating for these minorities?