Freedom Songs
Freedom Songs
This lesson traces the legacy of spirituals, from their origins when sung by those enslaved, to their transformation into “freedom songs”during the Civil Rights Movement,to their echoes in contemporary protests. Focusing on the fight for racial justice, this lesson examines the role that music can play in building unity and determination, and in maintaining a vital connection to the past.
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Essential Questions:
What is the history of spirituals, and how do they combine Christianity with West African traditions?
What role did spirituals and other freedom songs play in the Civil Rights movement?
What role does music play in protests today?
Who were Mahalia Jackson and Bernice Reagon, and why were they important?
Why is music such a powerful tool for protest and resistance throughout time?