Ray Charles is the definition of a SelfMade American. Throughout his life, Charles tackled numerous obstacles proving to the nation that anyone can come from anywhere and with a great deal of work, accomplish any and all tasks that one might dream of. Born in Albany, Georgia in the 30’s at the bottom of the social pyramid, Charles suffered tremendous losses at a very young age. He grew up very poor, alone, and without support. Even worse, Charles went blind at the tender age of 7, adding a seemingly endless string of difficulties to his life. Furthermore, Ray struggled with acquiring an education, fighting a drug habit, and most importantly, the pursuit of happiness. Through all of the fires of this problematic upbringing, a diamond was forged. Ray Charles combined a solid work ethic, a can do attitude, and a little bit of …show more content…
Blachford later goes on to explain that “the loss of vision can be prevented if it is caught early enough” (p 484). Whether it was detected or not, it would have been impossible for Charles to receive the necessary treatment given their financial situation. By the time he was 7, Ray had to have right eye removed, where he soon after “became completely blind” according to Laura B. Tyle (p430). For the first few years of one’s life, little to no memories are retained. Considering this idea as well as the fact that Ray was blind at the age of 7, witnessing his infant brother drown was one of the very few things he ever remembered seeing. The series of hardships that come with being blind are so great in number that no average person could truly comprehend what dealing with blindness is actually like. Becoming blind completely hinders one’s ability to have an independent lifestyle. At only the very beginning of his life, Ray Charles was already facing a ceaseless period of tribulation so great that most would succumb to an unrecoverable state of
In conclusion, I would like to say that this book is worthwhile reading although it is a quite thick and might take longer time to finish reading it. I might not good in reviewing a book or giving criticism for something. Reading this autobiography can benefit people in many fields. Different people will see things differently. So does when reading this book, certain people might take the lessons differently and it might benefit differently. For example, as a sociological study, it could provide fascinating insights into ghetto life and the ways which an individual learned to survive in the ghetto. Meanwhile as a religious work, it does tell about how an individual is struggling in order to find his God. And it cannot be denied as it is clear that in political work is the book has had its strongest impact.
Throughout history, and even today, music has shaped America’s culture, society, and even politics. One of the most outstanding and enduring musical movement has been from African American artists, ranging from bebop to jazz to hip-hop to rap. During the 1920’s , jazz artists stepped into the limelight and began their impact on American and even world history. Louis Armstrong was one of the most influential leaders during the Harlem Renaissance and his jazz legacy and impact of American history is everlasting. A master of his craft, Armstrong and his music heavily influenced America’s white and black populations from the 1920’s and up until his death.
Many people in show business are viewed as role models in our society. Many of these people are just regular men and women that are placed high on a pedestal simply because they can sing or act, hence, becoming all the more famous. Although he was famous and popular in the entertainment world for almost four decades, Frank Sinatra was a singer and actor that had a side to him that not everyone knew. He hid behind the facade of an entirely happy, successful performer, when, in reality, he had many problems that the public was not even aware of. Some of these problems are the same that the average person faces day to day, but many went far deeper than trivial troubles. Some of these specific quandaries had to do with hidden aspects of his personal relationships, hidden connections with criminal elements, and other unknown aspects of his life.
One man made his impression on the music world soon after he arrived to America. His
In “The Autobiography of Malcolm X” the author skillfully structures each chapter to correspond with Malcolm’s development and implants a sense of purpose throughout each event.
Ray Leonard was never a problem in school. He got good grade and never was a problem for his parents or the teachers. As a child, Leonard loved to read comic books. He had a friend who was someone who fought in lots of fights and was f...
His, "idea of blindness came from the movies", where, "...the blind move slowly and never laughed" (Carver 98). These misconceptions of blindness form barriers between the blind and the sighted. Carver breaks down these barriers as he brings the vastly different lives of these two men together. Those of us with sight find it difficult to identify with the blind. This man, like most of us, can only try to imagine what life is like for Robert.
Some people are born to become legends, Bruce Springsteen is one of them. From the second he was born and through his younger years everyone knew he was destined for something bigger than a regular nine to five life, they just didn’t realize the magnitude of what was to come. Born into a all around food middle-class family, no on in that house hold even Bruce, didn’t realize that within fifty years he would reach living legend status. Also have a title of one of the best musicians to every live. After working hard at what he loves, Bruce has become known as a musical hero and inspiration to his fans and fellow musicians. With his deep lyrics, amazing stage presence, incredible guitar skills, and his passion, he is an untouchable force in the music industry. Using his lyrics to vent his emotions and past, but to also add awareness to social issues around the world. Bruce and his love for music affected him his whole life, and has shaped into what he is today. His music now affects the world. His music has truly changed the world (musically and socially) forever.
Before the war started, a wealthy white man by the name of John Hammond worked to integrate black and white music.1 Since his childhood, he enjoyed the music of numerous black artists, and he wanted to share his love with the rest of America. He used much of his inherited fortune to make this possible. He went against the general opinion of society and his parents, who despised black people. Hammond refused to ignore black artists’ musical abilities because of their color, “I did not revolt against the system, I simply refused to be a part of it.”2 He used his money to organize the most eclectic group of musicians ever assembled, for an integrated audience of his time. Hammond’s efforts made an indelible impact on the music industry. The musicians Hammond introduced in...
grew up in poverty and he used his musical talent to win a scholarship to an
Jackie Robinson was born in Cairo, Georgia, January 31, 1919. He was raised by a single mother Mallie Robinson and four older brothers. His father Jerry Robinson had left searching for a job one day and never came back. Growing up as a teenager was harsh, because he had no father that would help him or either give him advice. As Jackie Robinson grew up he learned about racial discrimination/racism. Jackie Robinson had to face through a lot of racism even when he was young and little. Racism was a big issue back in the days. White people would discriminate black people for not being as superior as them. African Americans were not considered people they were used as a slave who will always obey what their master would order them. If a slave decides
In The Autobiography of Malcolm X, Muslim leader and black rights activist, Malcolm X, changes through a few significant events in his life. He went from an optimistic young boy, to a mischievous, law-breaking hustler, to a reformed man who sought to improve the way America viewed race. From the start of junior high, to his pilgrimage to the Holy City of Mecca, Malcolm X experiences three key events that change his life and develop the central idea of systemic oppression in the text.
Ray Charles one of the greatest African-American artists of all time. He left a legacy of hits and Grammy awards, but the musicians he influenced were very diverse in genre as the music he wrote, arranged, performed, and recorded. Ray Charles died at the age of 73 on June 10, 2004 from acute liver disease. Months after his death on October 29, 2004 the movie Ray was released to the U.S on a budget of forty million dollars. The film went on to become a box-office hit, earning over $100 million dollars with an additional $75 million internationally. It ended up with a worldwide gross of over $175 million.
He had exposure to several different genres growing up in his St. Louis, MO hometown. He heard country from the whites, rhythm & blues (R&B) from mostly blacks, even Latin music. His family environment set him up well for future success while growing up in a middle class home in the middle of the Great Depression of the 1930s. His parents sun...
Charles, Ray and David Ritz. Brother Ray: Ray Charles Own Story . New York, NY: The Dial Press , 1978.