"Powerhouse"
A story that really shows the different idea's between black and white society. How each group interacts with one another and the values that each community hold important. Powerhouse is a black band playing at an all-white dance. The story is set during a time of segregation. Although the band is playing their hearts out, the audience is not really dancing. Music is everything to Powerhouse, and no matter where they are playing. They have left there family at home and play shows all over. The only communication they have is through the phone. I can not imagine the hardship they felt. It is not easy for anyone to be away from their family and loved ones.
This band wasn't exactly in their comfort zone. The white community simply viewed them as entertainment for them even though it meant so much more to them than that. The people at the dance seemed like it was almost an embarrassment to have some black guy playing his heart out. They were so wrapped up in segregation they couldn't just see them as people and appreciate what they were doing. People had their song request, but he only referred to them as numbers. I think that symbolized how they felt. They were being treated as "blacks" not humans. The songs were announced by number and not their real names. When they took a break and went to the all-black cafe, you could really see the difference in the two cultures. Overall this story really got the point across about racism of the time and how it affected people.
They are all the same, no one is better or worse, but they could not see through the color of skin to know that.
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