African-American Music Appreciation Month, 2011

Proclamation 8684 of May 31, 2011

African-American Music Appreciation Month, 2011

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

The music of our Nation has always spoken to the
condition of our people and reflected the diversity of
our Union. African-American musicians, composers,
singers, and songwriters have made enormous
contributions to our culture by capturing the hardships
and aspirations of a community and reminding us of our
shared values. During African-American Music
Appreciation Month, we honor the rich musical
traditions of African-American musicians and their
gifts to our country and our world.

From the cadenced hums of spirituals to the melodies of
rhythm and blues, African-American music has been used
to communicate, to challenge, to praise, and to uplift
in times of both despair and triumph. The rhythmic
chords embedded in spirituals have long expressed a
deep faith in the power of prayer, and brought hope to
slaves toiling in fields. The soulfulness of jazz and
storytelling in the blues inspired a cultural
renaissance, while the potent words of gospel gave
strength to a generation that rose above the din of
hatred to move our country toward justice and equality
for all.

Today, African-American musicians continue to create
new musical genres and transform the scope of
traditional musical formats. The artistic depth of
soul, rock and roll, and hip-hop not only bring
together people across our Nation, but also energize
and shape the creativity of artists around the world.
The contributions of African-American composers and
musicians to symphony, opera, choral music, and musical
theater continue to reach new audiences and encourage
listeners to celebrate fresh interpretations of these
and other genres. In cherished songs passed down
through generations and innovative musical fusions
crafted today, African-American music continues to
transcend time, place, and circumstance to provide a
source of pride and inspiration for all who hear its
harmonies. This month, we celebrate the legacy of
African-American music and its enduring power to bring
life to the narrative of our Nation.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the
United States of America, by virtue of the authority
vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United
States, do hereby proclaim June 2011 as African-
American Music Appreciation Month. I call upon public
officials, educators, and all the people of the United
States to observe this month with appropriate
activities and programs that raise awareness and foster
appreciation of music which is composed, arranged, or
performed by African Americans.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
thirty-first day of May, in the year of our Lord two
thousand eleven, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and thirty-fifth.