yoruba bronze head sculpture city of ife, nigeria c. 12th century a.d
author robert farris thompson, professor of art history @ yale university, suggests itutu, translates mystic coolness, 1 of 3 pillars of religious philosophy created in 15th century yoruba , igbo civilizations of west africa. cool, or itutu, contained meanings of conciliation , gentleness of character, of generosity , grace, , ability defuse fights , disputes. associated physical beauty. in yoruba culture, itutu connected water, because yoruba concept of coolness retained physical connotation of temperature. cites definition of cool gola people of liberia, define ability mentally calm or detached, in other-worldly fashion, 1 s circumstances, nonchalant in situations emotionalism or eagerness natural , expected. joseph m. murphy writes cool closely associated deity Òsun of yoruba religion.
although thompson acknowledges similarities between african , european cool in shared notions of self-control , imperturbability, finds cultural value of cool in africa influenced african diaspora different held europeans, use term ability remain calm under stress. according thompson, there significant weight, meaning , spirituality attached cool in traditional african cultures, which, thompson argues, absent idea in western context.
control, stability, , composure under african rubric of cool seem constitute elements of all-embracing aesthetic attitude. african cool, writes thompson, more complicated , more variously expressed western notions of sang-froid (literally, cold blood ), cooling off, or icy determination. (thompson, african arts)
the telling point mask of coolness worn not in time of stress, of pleasure, in fields of expressive performance , dance. struck re-occurrence of vital notion elsewhere in tropical africa , in black americas, have come term attitude aesthetic of cool in sense of , motivated, consciously artistic, interweaving of elements serious , pleasurable, of responsibility , play.
african americans
ronald perry writes many words , expressions have passed african-american vernacular english standard english slang including contemporary meaning of word cool. definition, fashionable, said have been popularized in jazz circles tenor saxophonist lester young. predominantly black jazz scene in u.s. , among expatriate musicians in paris helped popularize notions of cool in u.s. in 1940s, giving birth bohemian , or beatnik, culture. shortly thereafter, style of jazz called cool jazz appeared on music scene, emphasizing restrained, laid-back solo style. notions of cool expression of centeredness in taoist sense, equilibrium , self-possession, of absence of conflict commonly understood in both african , african-american contexts well. expressions such as, don t let blow cool, later, chill out, , use of chill characterization of inner contentment or restful repose have origins in african-american vernacular english.
when air in smoke-filled nightclubs of era became unbreathable, windows , doors opened allow cool air in outside clear away suffocating air. analogy, slow , smooth jazz style typical late-night scene came called cool .
the purpose of cool jazz giogia stated, goal same: lower temperature of music , bring out different qualities in jazz.
marlene kim connor connects cool , post-war african-american experience in book cool?: understanding black manhood in america. connor writes cool silent , knowing rejection of racist oppression, self-dignified expression of masculinity developed black men denied mainstream expressions of manhood. writes mainstream perception of cool narrow , distorted, cool perceived merely style or arrogance, rather way achieve respect.
designer christian lacroix has said ...the history of cool in america history of african-american culture .
among black men in america, coolness, may have roots in slavery ironic submission , concealed subversion, @ times enacted in order create powerful appearance, type of performance maintained sake of social audience.
cool pose
malcolm x embodied essential elements of cool .
cool , though amorphous quality—more mystique material—is pervasive element in urban black male culture. majors , billson address term cool pose in study , argue helps black men counter stress caused social oppression, rejection , racism. contend furnishes black male sense of control, strength, confidence , stability , helps him deal closed doors , negative messages of generalized other. believe attaining black manhood filled pitfalls of discrimination, negative self-image, guilt, shame , fear.
cool pose may factor in discrimination in education contributing achievement gaps in test scores. in 2004 study, researchers found teachers perceived students african-american culture-related movement styles, referred cool pose, lower in achievement, higher in aggression, , more need special education services students standard movement styles, irrespective of race or other academic indicators. issue of stereotyping , discrimination respect cool pose raises complex questions of assimilation , accommodation of different cultural values. jason w. osborne identifies cool pose 1 of factors in black underachievement. robin d. g. kelley criticizes calls assimilation , sublimation of black culture, including cool pose. argues media , academics have unfairly demonized these aspects of black culture while, @ same time, through sustained fascination blacks exotic others, appropriated aspects of cool pose broader popular culture.
george elliott clarke writes malcolm x, miles davis, embodies essential elements of cool. icon, malcolm x inspires complex mixture of both fear , fascination in broader american culture, cool pose itself.
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