The author most probably mentions the reactions of northern White writers to non–Europeanized "sorrow songs" in order to

Ross-Rinehart on February 7, 2022

This is an Argument Structure/Role of Detail question. So we want to ask ourselves: (1) what is the reference saying, and (2) why did the author include it? The reference to northern White writers’ reaction to non-Europeanized “sorrow songs” occurs about halfway through the first paragraph. The author says that in 1862, these writers “commented favorably on the unique and provocative melodies” of the non-Europeanized “sorrow songs” (lines 19-21). But, the main point of the first paragraph is to show how many assumed that African-American art forms had to become Europeanized to be appreciated and promote acceptance, particularly following the Civil War. Notice how the first paragraph ends by mentioning that by 1916, people assumed that these sorrow songs “could only be used to promote racial acceptance and integration only on the condition that it became Europeanized” (lines 29-32). So, the author included this reference to contrast how White writers originally felt about the songs with how these songs were viewed after the Civil War. Therefore, (B) is correct.

jingjingxiao11111@gmail.com on August 23, 2022

Thank you!