Brandi L. Robinson Soc 200 Telecourse July 3,2000
             Culture is the totality of socially transmitted behavior patterns, arts, beliefs, institutions, and all other products of human work and thought typical of a population or community at a given times. (Webster's II New College Dictionary pg. 274)Culture is also the modes of thought, behavior, and production that are handed down from one generation to the next by means of communication interaction-through speech, gestures, writing, building, and all other communication among humans – rather by genetic transmission of heredity. (The Sociological Imagination pg.6) Although I am part of the American culture, I consider my cultural heritage to be with that of the African American society. Black culture is a phenomenal subject representing the life style, imagination and accomplishments of my people. The most outstanding and unique characteristic that makes my culture one of a kind is our music, language and gestures, and writings.
             The four most popular and unique categories of Black music are Rhythm and Blues, Blues, Jazz, and Gospel. Rhythm and Blues is a combination of the swinging rhythm of jazz and other "race" music with the lyrical content, sonic gestures, and format of the blues. Blues is an African American music that transverses a wide range of emotions and musical styles. "Feeling blue" is expressed in songs whose verse laments injustice or express longing for a better life and lost loves, jobs, and money, the blues also is a raucous dance music that celebrates pleasure and success. Gospel music refers to African American Protestant vocal music that celebrates Christine Doctrine in emotive. Jazz is a music that consists of musical instruments such as saxophones, flutes, and clarinets. African American music has lyrics that basically tell a real true story and have constant rhyme. Music has
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