"i am in the jungle and living in the jungle way"

The fight for equal rights, especially African Americans, has been an inexhaustible battle. Countless numbers of scholars, writers, political activists, and artists have created captivating portrayls of the Black man's suffering. For the most part, these works have been praised for their courage to speak of such injustice. Yet, too many forms of expression are still disregarded. Music in particular, one of the most influential tools we have in expression, has gone misunderstood for too long. However, it could be said that the issues getting the attention of people from all walks of life, are in fact the issues which spark awareness. Be-bop music of the 1920s is much like the hip-hop music of today. The splash which both of these types of music caused, forced be-pop and hip-hop to undergo vast amounts of scrutiny and imitation. In Langston Hughes's story, "Bop," when Simple tries to explain the impact and artform that is be-bop, his friend reacts by stating "your explanation depresses me." Such ignorance is what facilitates the misinterpretations of art. Songs which speak of issues in society, especially African American society are the epitome of innovative. In Zora Neale Hurston story, "How It Feels to Be Colored Me," Zora describes herself as "not tragically colored [and with] no great sorrow dammed up in [her] soul." Her words express opression, and they draw attention. Having the capability to make matters known is what qualifies an analysis of an issue as being innovative.