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Victoria Ryder Honors American Studies Current Event: Culture February 6, 2012  Current Event: Culture Summary Don Cornelius created Soul Train in 1970 and the show ran for 35 years. Then later on the television show became an award known as the Soul Train Awards (Soul). The show broadcasted a variety of musical genres like R&B, hip-hop, and of course, soul. Cornelius allowed the white people of America to look into the culture of African Americans in a new way, and that new way, was music (Soul).

On February 1, 2012, Don Cornelius was pronounced dead from a “self-inflicted gunshot wound at 4:56,” in the morning ( The Associated). His death came as a shock, and many people were deeply affected by his death. Cornelius brought people together through culture and music, and he introduced new faces to America. For example, Marvin Gaye and Aretha Franklin were two very popular musicians that preformed on Soul Train. Quincy Jones stated in an interview that, “ His contributions to television, music and our culture as a whole will never be matched,” (The Associated). Don Cornelius had a great effect on both American and African American music and culture.

Relevance Michael Jackson also broad casted culture of African Americans through music. He was creative and in touch with himself and the rest of the world. Jackson brought a new kind of music to America that inspired many people to be kind. He had unique music styling and sang about things that were actually happening in the world. Jackson was able to connect with the American people because he was different. He showed people that even if you are different, you are still important and that it is O.K. to stand out. Even after his tragic death, he remained a figure for American music and culture.

Another artist that has brought culture to America is Peter Max. Although he was an artist, he did not show culture through music. Max showed his Jewish culture through paintings (Peter). He used bright and fun colors to inspire people, and he made artistic posters that were posted up on the streets. Max escaped from Nazi Germany, and soon created these bright paintings, which inspire people that things do change and improve over time (Peter). Even though Max was discriminated against in Germany, he is still proud of his culture. This is very inspirational because if American’s see that he was discriminated against and was still proud, then they too can be proud of where they came from no matter what.

Explanation The current event can be related to the theme of culture. Music and art are two very important characteristics of America’s culture. They come from people who reach out to others in order to educate them about a culture or to inspire them to learn about a culture. Don Cornelius created Soul Train, which educated people about African American culture through music. Michael Jackson inspired people to be themselves and not to forget where they came from. Paintings are inspirational, and Peter Max showed this. He came from a hard life, but he turned it into a positive thing because he inspired people to learn about his Jewish culture through his artwork, and to be proud of your own culture.

Questions

1. What the reason for Cornelius committing suicide?

2. How old was Cornelius when he created soul train?

3. Did he leave any children behind, and if so how do they feel about their father's death?

4. What inspired Cornelius to create Soul Train?

5. Before Soul Train was created, how much Don Cornelius involved in music?

<span style="background-color: white; display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">Works Cited <span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Associated Press. "'Soul Train' Creator Don Cornelius Dead Of Apparent Suicide |Fox News." //Fox News//. Foz News, 1 Feb. 2012. Web. 07 Feb. 2012. <http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2012/02/01/soul-train-creator-don-cornelius-dead-apparent-suicide-report-says/>.

<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Peter Max." //Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia//. Wikipedia. Web. 08 Feb. 2012. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Max>.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Soul Train." //Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia//. Web. 07 Feb. 2012.<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soul_Train>.