The Origin Of "Cool": How Black Culture Embodies "Cool" & Influences Trends For Mainstream

Summary

In 'The Breakdown,' host Clarity explores the concept of 'coolness,' particularly its African American expression and its cultural significance. The show delves into the origins of cool, tracing it back to West African traditions emphasizing composure and nonchalance under pressure. It discusses how coolness has been a survival mechanism for African Americans, evolving from plantation life to a universal presence in entertainment, fashion, and beyond. Clarity highlights the innate nature of Black cool, contrasting it with mainstream interpretations that commodify it, and underscores its enduring influence on global culture.

Takeaways

• 🕊️ Coolness is an intangible human trait that has been globally associated with African Americans, reflecting a unique cultural brand of cool that has worldwide appeal.
• 👔 The concept of 'swag' is deeply ingrained in the way African Americans present themselves, from dressing stylishly to carrying oneself with a certain nonchalance and composure.
• 🌍 The origins of 'cool' can be traced back to Africa, where it is a reflection of ancestral presence and the way individuals stand and present themselves as part of their cultural heritage.
• 🎩 Historical figures like Malcolm X and Marcus Garvey exemplified the tradition of cool through their attire and demeanor, embodying a cultural standard of elegance and control.
• 🌊 The idea of coolness is linked to West African cultural concepts such as 'otutu' in Nigeria and 'effizi', which translate to 'cool' in English and are associated with composure and control under pressure.
• 🌿 The 'cool' trait is not just about appearance but is also tied to ceremony and the use of purifying elements like water and chalk, indicating a deeper cultural significance.
• 🌱 The African sense of cool has evolved into a critical mechanism for survival, enduring within Black America from the era of slavery to the present day.
• 🛑 The ability to maintain 'cool' under pressure is a survival trait that was necessary for enslaved Africans and has been passed down through generations.
• 🛍️ 'Cool' is an elusive quality that cannot be bought or sold; it is a part of the cultural identity of African Americans and is not a commodity to be marketed or commercialized.
• 🔍 Mainstream culture often misunderstands or tries to commodify the concept of 'cool', which is inherently tied to the lived experiences and cultural expressions of Black people.
• 🎭 The essence of 'cool' permeates every aspect of African American existence, from entertainment and fashion to politics and social interactions, and is a reflection of a deep-seated cultural identity.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video script?

The main topic of the video script is the concept of 'coolness' and how it has evolved and been epitomized by African Americans throughout history.

Why does the host believe that African Americans are often seen as epitomizing 'cool'?

The host believes that African Americans epitomize 'cool' because it is a cultural trait that has been passed down through generations, rooted in African traditions and perfected over centuries by people of African descent in America.

What are some examples of African cultural concepts that relate to 'coolness'?

Examples of African cultural concepts related to 'coolness' include the Nigerian concepts of 'otutu' or 'effizi', which translate to 'cool' in English, and the Europa tradition's 'aitutu', which is associated with a level of mind and self-possession related to control over one's body.

How does the script suggest that 'coolness' has been a survival mechanism for African Americans?

The script suggests that 'coolness' has been a survival mechanism by allowing enslaved Africans and their descendants to maintain control over their own actions and reactions, even in situations where they had limited control over their own bodies and labor.

What role did 'coolness' play during the middle passage and plantation life?

'Coolness' played a critical role during the middle passage and plantation life as a way for enslaved Africans to maintain a sense of self and dignity, as well as a means to cope with the harsh realities of their situation.

How is 'coolness' expressed in modern African American culture?

'Coolness' in modern African American culture is expressed through various aspects such as fashion, music, and the way individuals carry themselves, reflecting an effortless approach to life that is innovative and captivating.

What is the difference between 'Blackcool' and mainstream 'cool' according to the script?

According to the script, 'Blackcool' is something that is lived and inherited, deeply rooted in cultural heritage, while mainstream 'cool' is often something that is bought and commercially driven, copying elements of black culture.

Why did corporate pop culture marketers in the early 80s employ 'cool finders'?

Corporate pop culture marketers employed 'cool finders' to keep their companies relevant by identifying and incorporating the latest trends from the streets into their branding and marketing strategies.

How does the script describe the African American's ability to stay 'cool' under pressure?

The script describes the African American's ability to stay 'cool' under pressure as a special brand of 'coolness' that comes from countless generations of refinement and is an expression of a culturally necessary personality trait.

What is the host's view on the future of African American 'coolness'?

The host believes that the influence of African American 'coolness' will continue to grow and flourish for years to come, leading popular culture around the world.

How does the host define 'swag' in the context of the script?

In the context of the script, 'swag' is defined as an effortless approach to life that is innovative, captivating, and deeply rooted in African American culture, something that is not borrowed but inherited.

Outlines

00:00

🕺 The Essence of Black Coolness

This paragraph delves into the concept of 'coolness' and its cultural significance among African Americans. The host, Clarity, explores the idea that this trait is not just a modern phenomenon but has deep roots in African culture, with a focus on West African traditions that value composure and nonchalance under pressure. The paragraph discusses how this coolness is expressed through dress, demeanor, and language, and how it has been passed down through generations, becoming an integral part of African American identity. It also touches on the commercialization of cool by mainstream culture and the inherent, lived experience of coolness within the black community, as opposed to its commodified form in white culture.

05:00

🎩 The Timeless Appeal of African American Cool

The second paragraph continues the discussion on coolness, highlighting its pervasive influence across various aspects of culture, including fashion, food, movies, and music. It emphasizes the inimitable and intrinsic nature of coolness, which cannot be purchased or simply observed but is a lived experience. The paragraph also critiques the practice of 'cool finders' in the 1980s, who were tasked with appropriating elements of black culture for commercial purposes. The summary underscores the unique, innovative, and captivating nature of black cool, which is seen as an effortless approach to life that is innate rather than taught. It concludes by reflecting on the historical and ongoing impact of African American cool on global popular culture, suggesting that this influence is set to continue into the future.

Keywords

💡Coolness

Coolness in the script refers to an elusive and intangible human trait characterized by a sense of style, composure, and nonchalance. It is central to the video's theme as it explores the cultural significance and historical roots of coolness, particularly within African American culture. The script suggests that coolness is not just a superficial quality but a deep-seated cultural expression that has been refined over generations.

💡Swag

Swag, as mentioned in the script, is a term synonymous with coolness, implying a confident and stylish demeanor. It is tied to the main theme by illustrating the natural and effortless approach to life that African Americans embody. The script uses swag to highlight the cultural richness and the unique way of life that has been both a survival mechanism and a form of self-expression.

💡Cultural Heritage

Cultural heritage is the legacy of physical artifacts, traditions, and values that are passed down through generations. In the context of the video, it is the source of the 'cool' trait, with roots in African traditions and its evolution within African American culture. The script emphasizes the importance of cultural heritage in shaping the identity and the 'cool' factor of African Americans.

💡African American Cool

African American Cool is a specific manifestation of coolness that the script identifies as having a worldwide appeal and a unique brand. It is deeply ingrained in the culture and history of African Americans, reflecting resilience, style, and an innovative spirit that has influenced global popular culture. The script traces this coolness back to West African cultural concepts and its endurance through slavery and into modern times.

💡West African Culture

West African Culture is highlighted in the script as the foundational source of the coolness trait, with concepts like 'otutu' and 'effizi' directly translating to 'cool' in English. The script explains that these concepts involve a level of composure and self-possession, especially under pressure, which are key elements of the coolness associated with African American culture.

💡Nonchalance

Nonchalance, as used in the script, refers to a calm and seemingly indifferent demeanor, especially in challenging situations. It is a key aspect of coolness, illustrating the ability to maintain composure and control. The script connects nonchalance to the African concept of 'aitutu' and its association with water, symbolizing a cool and collected attitude.

💡Plantation Culture

Plantation Culture refers to the social and economic system of the American South during the era of slavery, which had a profound impact on African American life. The script discusses how the essence of coolness became a critical survival mechanism within this oppressive system, allowing enslaved individuals to maintain some control over their lives despite their circumstances.

💡Capitalist Engine

The term 'capitalist engine' in the script metaphorically describes the drive of the market economy to continually seek new ways to generate profit. It is relevant to the theme as the script discusses how corporate marketers have tried to capture and commodify the concept of coolness, particularly from African American culture, to fuel this engine.

💡Blackcool

Blackcool is a term coined in the script to describe the inherent coolness that is a part of the African American cultural identity. It is contrasted with mainstream cool, which is something that can be bought. Blackcool is depicted as a lived experience, deeply rooted in history and tradition, and not merely a trend or commodity.

💡Mainstream Cool

Mainstream Cool, as discussed in the script, is the commercialized and often superficial version of coolness that is adopted by popular culture. It is something that can be bought and sold, as opposed to the deeply ingrained and authentic 'Blackcool' that is inherent to African American culture. The script critiques mainstream cool for its lack of depth and authenticity.

💡Cultural Identity

Cultural Identity is a person's sense of self that is defined by their cultural background, traditions, and beliefs. In the script, it is emphasized that African Americans define their swag and cultural identity independently, drawing from their own rich heritage rather than external influences. This concept is integral to understanding the video's exploration of coolness as an expression of cultural pride and self-determination.

Highlights

The concept of 'coolness' is an intangible human trait that has worldwide appeal and is particularly associated with African Americans.

The idea of 'swag' is a way of life for many African Americans and is deeply ingrained in their presentation and demeanor.

Historical figures like Malcolm X and Marcus Garvey exemplified the tradition of cool through their attire and composure.

The origins of 'cool' can be traced back to African cultures, emphasizing composure and nonchalance under pressure.

West African concepts such as 'otutu' or 'effizi' are early examples of the idea of cool, directly translating to 'cool' in English.

The 'cool' trait is not just a performance but a cultural inheritance passed down through generations.

African American 'cool' has been a critical survival mechanism throughout history, from slavery to the present day.

The ability to maintain 'cool' under pressure is a deeply ingrained part of African American culture and identity.

Corporate pop culture has attempted to capture and commodify 'cool' through the use of 'cool finders' in the 1980s.

The concept of 'cool' in white culture is often commercialized, whereas 'Black Cool' is a lived experience.

African Americans have an effortless approach to life that is innovative and captivating, which is part of their 'swag'.

The media often marvels at how African Americans maintain their composure in high-pressure situations, attributing it to a special brand of 'cool'.

The 'cool' demonstrated by African Americans has been refined over countless generations and is an expression of a necessary cultural trait.

African American 'cool' permeates every aspect of existence, including politics, social interactions, and entertainment.

The influence of African American 'cool' on popular culture is extensive and has led global trends for generations.

The legacy of African American 'cool' is expected to continue to grow and flourish in the future.

Transcripts

[Music]

peace and welcome to the breakdown

i'm your host clarity

[Music]

you know when you see it

[Music]

normally don't some people just seem to

be born with it

while others seem to not even know it

exists

oh to be fly to be fresh to have flavor

to have swag

all just a few popular terms for the

elusive intangible human trait that we

call

cool and when it comes to african

americans

our unique brand of cool has worldwide

appeal and universal presence

so what exactly is coolness and how has

it endured and evolved over time

and why do black people seem to

epitomize the essence of what cool is

all about

you know we gonna get into it that and

more right now

on the breakdown

the breakdown

from entertainers and athletes to

politicians or even the average person

on the street

it's no secret that black people

epitomize the essence of

cool swag is a way of life when fish

hits the fan

it's almost like my blood turns into ice

water

cool is something that is mostly

associated with

entertainment and fashion but it's

something that is ingrained even deeper

and the way that we present ourselves

it's not a coincidence that

malcolm x dresses in a brooks brothers

suit it's not a

coincidence that marcus garvey dresses

in royal regalia

and carries it off in a very austere way

because

he's embodying that tradition of cool

so while cool is often expressed in the

way we dress the way we move

or the way we turn a phrase the question

remains what exactly is it

and where does it come from the birth of

the cool

like everything else that matters in

this entire world

can be traced to africa it is

us reflecting our ancestors presence

how we stand how we present ourselves

it's not a performance we brought that

over with us

the cool that i'm talking about is the

cool that is cultural

it is something that comes from our

grandfathers from our uncles from our

mothers

is something that we acquire as a part

of our culture

it looks into west african

cultures in which composure

control and the kind of nonchalance

under pressure is the standard operating

procedure

perhaps another part of the reason those

outside of black culture often miss the

mark when trying to capture

african-american cool is because the

essence of cool goes back generations

upon generations

centuries before slavery back to west

africa and the ideas of cool rooted in

african culture such as the nigerian

concepts of otutu

or effizi which literally translate into

english

as cool in the europa tradition

there's this concept known as aitutu

level of mind that's associated with

water with something that's cool

it's almost a self-possession that is

related to control over one's body

it also kind of rooted in ceremony

in water in chalk in

essences that are purifying and

cleansing

at tutu in this literal translation

you're speaking specifically about being

cool

being calm and being relaxed about how

you maintain a particular disposition in

a situation where you find yourself

where i said these is you now taking

elements to show how successful you are

how stylish you are how cool you are

how relatable you are

even after such an arduous journey the

african sense of cool

remained it evolved into a critical

mechanism for surviving plantation life

one that has endured within black

america for hundreds of years

all the way up to the present day during

the middle passage uh enslaved africans

come to the united states

and who makes its way through plantation

culture

and even if someone doesn't have or has

limited control over their

own body and their own labor you still

can't control the way that people do

things

and that's what cool is my grandfather

was born

to men and women who were enslaved

he migrated to mississippi

if he wasn't cool he could die

that's how immediate danger was if we're

not

in control they get control

the awareness that we have to have even

today

i think that's what they had i think

that's where we got it

and i think that hyper vigilance was

probably

like inherited from people who

again had to be hyper vigilant and ready

always to make a move

and you had to appear as if you weren't

from

fashion to food from movies to music the

essence of cool can be seen

everywhere yet at the same time it

cannot be found on a shelf in your local

convenience store

you just can't buy a can of cool or can

you

as it turns out the element of cool is

so elusive that in the early 80s

for example corporate pop culture

marketers employed what they called

cool finders people whose job it was to

keep the company relevant

by hitting the streets soaking in the

latest trends and bringing their

findings back to headquarters

where they would be incorporated into

the company strategy for branding and

marketing

you have a capitalist engine that needs

to be fueled and the best thing to sell

is cool

is the concept of cool white culture

gets their

concept of cool usually commercially so

it's something that's usually done by

copying what is done by black culture

and looking at it as oh this is

something i can put on

something i can wear something i can buy

something i can listen to

as opposed to something that i live

blackcool is something we live

mainstream cool is something you buy

swag

it is an effortless approach

to life that we have that is so

innovative and so

captivating we don't have to go out and

watch that on television

we don't have to buy it we don't have to

borrow it

we don't need anyone to tell us how to

do it we're born with it

on so many occasions mainstream media

personalities have wondered out loud how

this or that black person was able to

keep their cool

under so much pressure be it president

obama

brushing off his attackers or this

athlete

or that public figure considerable

attention has been given to the black

person's ability to stay

cool under circumstances that would have

caused others to lose their cool

little do they know the special brand of

cool demonstrated by these african

americans

comes from countless generations of

refinement

it is their expression of a culturally

necessary personality trait that was

birthed in africa

and perfected over centuries by people

of african descent in america

and around the world it goes through

every aspect of

our of our existence not just

entertainment and fashion

but also in the political realm and

social realm as well

i look to my people for the context

clues i'm not necessarily looking to any

other races to tell me

how i should define my swag and my black

identity

i always tell people you know when god

made me he broke the mold

there will never be anyone else to walk

in the likeness of

my swag and what i bring to the table as

a proud african-american man

who is all about style

yeah he got some swag now from ancient

concepts like efficient 022 in nigeria

to the reconstruction era cool of the

early 1900s

to the bebop and jazz era of the 40s and

50s

to the funk disco and rock era of the

60s and 70s

and the 1980s hip-hop culture all the

way

up to present day african american cool

has led popular culture around the world

for generations

as far as anyone can tell that influence

will continue to grow

and flourish for years to come that's it

for now

i'm clarity and i'll see you next time

on the breakdown

the breakdown