Flappers and Philosophers

Have you ever wanted to go back in time to a specific era? Maybe just for a day or two? Or perhaps you actually would trade living in the 21st century? Well, this week I decided that if I could live in any other time period for a few weeks, I would have to choose the 1920s.

After reading several short stories from Scott F. Fitzgerald's The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and Other Jazz Age Stories, I decided that I would like to live in 1920s America for a few weeks to experience the political and social rebellion of this era. (This collection of Fitzgerald's short stories have come from his two books: Flappers and Philosophers and Tales of the Jazz Age).

While I don't think of myself as much of a trouble-maker, I think my alter-ego would thrive in the Roaring 20s. This time in America was ground-breaking for the African American community who began to assert their black culture within the predominantly white America. Through the rebellious lyrics and sounds of jazz music, African Americans marched forward in defiance against the former bondages of slavery and enhanced American music that was formerly dominated by white performers. With the emergence of soulful and liberating jazz music, dances such as The Charleston and Tango became popular. These dances were considered more scandalous in contrast to the former dances of the Victorian era.

Women's rights and freedom was also a large portion of the 1920s. When the 19th Amendment of the Constitution was ratified in 1920, women gained the right to vote. Throughout the decade, women began to assert themselves politically and socially, and the gender lines began to blur. One of the biggest fashion statements of the 20s came from the "bobbed" haircut. This new fad not only liberated women from their long, time-consuming hair but also gave women a freedom from their feminine stereotypes. This 1920s hairstyle was the first time in history when women dared to cut their hair just above their chin. As women became more prominent in the work place, this rebellious, androgynous, bobbed hair symbolized a woman's capability to work alongside a man. Another iconic image of women from the 1920s was the flapper. This woman could be ubiquitously spotted in a speakeasies or night clubs wearing a bobbed haircut and a short, shapeless dress.

As much as I could imagine myself spending a few weeks in the 1920s, I have realized that I would not trade the 21st century for the Roaring 20s. While the political upheaval and social change of this time was exciting, and the music and night life was fun, I have realized that being a woman in this century is more satisfying. While women still do not have equal pay in the work place, there is much more equality between women and men today. I salute the women who fought for the right to vote and thank them for their tremendous contribution to history and march forward, trying to continue where they left off. (By the way, thanks for the bobbed hair cut idea! It's so much easier to handle!)