Final answer:
The claim that white covers of black artists' music helped black artists gain airplay and profits is false. While rock and roll helped blur racial lines, black artists often did not gain the same benefits as their white counterparts when their music was covered.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that white artists re-releasing music previously recorded by black artists made it easy for those black artists to receive airplay and profits is false. In reality, during the 1950s and beyond, the music industry often marginalized black artists, and while their music was incredibly influential, they frequently did not reap the financial and airplay benefits of their work when white artists covered their songs. Instances like Elvis Presley's rise to fame show how white artists could achieve greater mainstream success with music that originated in the African American community. The popularity of rock and roll, spearheaded by both black and white musicians, played a significant role in blurring racial lines and pushing against social segregation. Despite economic demand leading record companies to eventually sign black musicians, there were still significant barriers that prevented them from receiving equal recognition and profits.