The Civil Rights Movement is the most remember and celebrated movement in American history. The movement lasted for well over a decade and it continues to effect lives today. The goal of those moving the movement was to change the laws that allowed racism to ruin lives. Music played a large part in accomplishing this goal. As Joe Glazer said about the American Labor Movement, “without solidarity you have nothing” and music provided solidarity for civil rights activists. To be more specific, freedom songs were the music that provided this oneness between freedom seekers. One of our favorite activists Bernice Johnson Reagon said “When I sing, at full voice, you can hear me a block away. If you're walking toward me, you're walking inside the sound of my voice.” Freedom songs were powerful not only for black people, but also for the white people who understood the injustices of America. The familiarity of the melodies made the songs very easy to sing for those willing to be a part of the movement.
To view more of Bernice Johnson Reagons views on the civil rights movement and music click here
Freedom songs were just as important to the movement as Dr. Martin Luther King himself in terms of impact. Freedom songs were congregational songs in which ability was not important it was the passion that made these songs impactful. Freedom songs had an overwhelming amount of soul and pain in them. They were like broadside ballads on musical steroids. The church is where most of the freedom singing took place because this was the one location black people had autonomy. Again the freedom songs were powerful so it was no way that these songs were going to stay in the black church.
For more information on freedom songs click here
It took years but racism is now illegal. I cannot say that racism is dead, but now black people have the same amount of opportunity that white people have. Hence my main man O-Beezy…Oops I mean Obama. Those courageous individual during the movement are the reason that I can sit in a class with white people and not be considered anything other than a human being.
For a visual on the impact of the Civil Rights movement watch this clip
I like your connection to broadside ballads! They most definatly are the most powerful Broadside Ballads yet, and I hope that soon the world will continue to make strides in the Civil Rights departemt, and make these songs just as ephimeral as Broadside Ballads became!
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