Monk: Bro of the Community

The community of San Juan Hill portrayed well in many aspects of Monk’s life. Although an incredibly diverse location, the city was divided into separate enclaves. In the first quote, Monk briefly mentions the separation between the blocks, and how strong the dividing lines are. But this separate community really shaped Monk as artist and played a strong role in his sound. With all the diversity in San Juan Hill, there was always a variety of music. “The cultures of the West Indies and the Southerners blended despite tensions.”(Kelley, 23) Monk soon adopted the ways of Caribbean music, and it can be heard in his early jazz sound in songs like “Bye-ya” and “Bemish Swing”. Monk’s piano refinement also came from within his community. Alberta Simmons is said to be a huge impact on Thelonius as his piano instructor, even though she had never recorded music. (Kelley, 27)

            Monk transcended racial politics through his lifestyle actions and musical sound. It is a given than San Juan Hill is a diverse place, but Monk’s approach to the racial separation made him wiser than most. He states that people all over the world come to New York and contest each other’s rights to be there. (Stewart, Feb. 28, 2013) Monk opts to not limit himself to the black and white dichotomy because violence between races is a given. (Stewart, Feb. 28, 2013) Although the streets of San Juan Hill were bounded by race and class, the community as a whole began the early days of blurring the racial lines. And Monk’s music is representative of that. (Stewart, Feb. 28, 2013) I feel as though this is represented the Delaware trial with Nica and Rouse. From the Philadelphia arrest, I have gathered that Monk is aware of race, but does not see it. Since coming from the strong community of San Juan Hill, he is more expectant of tolerance to a certain degree. Because in New York even if you are a different race, you are still equals. And in the south, they do not share that same view. But Monk’s ignoring of these racial lines fostered a community that was spearheaded by acceptance. He helped spur a progressive society and acted as a role model for better times.