Lauren Onkey, vice president of education and public programs at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, gave a lecture Friday on the topic “Dancing in the Streets: Rock and Roll and the Civil Rights Movement, 1954-1964.”

Her lecture focused on the approach rock and roll took on the integration of races in America through various African-American musicians.

“Music pushed boundaries so that people could imagine an integrated America,” Onkey said during the lecture.

According to Onkey Rock and Roll was a hybrid mix of white country and black rhythmic jazz.

The title “Dancing in the Streets” was taken from an aspect of her lecture concentrated on Martha and the Vandellas, the artists who wrote the song of the same name. According to Onkey the song was not about African-Americans coming together to riot for freedom and equality, but was taken as so by black supremacists.

“The power is not in the intent of a song, but what people choose to do with the meaning,” Onkey said.

The lecture explored the roles of African-American musicians and leaders who shaped the integration of race in America. Onkey showed multiple videos and played audio of the artists and the impact they had upon society during the era of change.

Onkey is working with graduate humanities students as a part of the Major Scholar Seminar program, which encourages students to engage with outside scholars and intellectuals. She is currently working with four students via Skype in a seminar called “Fight the Power: Music in Social Change.” She helps teach the course and grades papers.

Onkey met with students in person for the first time Thursday evening during class.

She said that this seminar will help students in the humanities field better understand how art is used in everyday life and that it gives students the opportunity to explore issues they care about.

“I learn so much from the perspective they [students] bring,” Onkey said. “The value of us all coming together is very powerful.”

The program began last semester, and Onkey said the only negative aspect is that she wishes she could see students more often in person.

Caitlin Fowlkes can be contacted at [email protected].