Yes Pete - music has been a great help in bringing together people of different race.
When I sing a blues song I am not trying to sound like anyone but myself. It's different but that doesn't mean it's not valid as a form of blues. Blues has evolved into many different styles and sounds now.
I'm never going to sound like those early black guys. If we are saying that true blues can only come from that same culture and have that same sound we are consigning it to history.
I like to think that blues music in all it's forms has a great future.
Anyone who plays / sings a blues song is copying to some degree. It's the feeling you put into it that counts.
BB King plays electric guitar and that must have been pretty revolutionary at one time. What feeling he puts into it though. Still one of the very best IMHO.