Music of the Civil Rights Movement
Students hear the music behind equal rights
By Henry Dunkelberger
| February 18 , 2010
During the 1960s, The Freedom Singers traveled more than 50,000 miles to perform at civil rights campaigns. Their music provided inspiration to an oppressed minority seeking equal rights in their own country.
The music that inspired and drove the fight for civil rights was the focus of a workshop and musical event at the White House this month. In celebration of Black History Month, the White House held a workshop with high school students, led by Robert Santelli, the executive director of the Grammy Museum.
The February 9 afternoon event was followed by an evening of music in the White House that was later broadcast on PBS stations and radios. Called "The Music Behind the Civil Rights Movement," the event featured actor Morgan Freeman as emcee.
"The music became a part of everything," Freeman said in his opening remarks. "You couldn't tell who was a singer or who was the organizer, because the organizer sang and the singer organized."
That was certainly true for Bernice Johnson Reagon of The Freedom Singers. She talked about how many times she must have sang "This Little Light of Mine" before she understood its true meaning. That realization came to her during a protest in Albany, Georgia, in 1961. She was arrested and jailed for her participation.
"It was when they locked me up that I really understood that song," she told the 100 high school students in the workshop. "It [the song] was saying 'I'm not hiding. I have a light and I'm going to use it to bring about justice.'"
The workshop stressed the connection to the church and Gospel Music, Santilli told the Scholastic Kids Press Corps.
"It allowed students to participate in a workshop with some of the artists who created the original music performed," Santili said. The workshop included performances by the Blind Boys of Alabama, The Freedom Singers, and Smokey Robinson.
The evening performance included Bob Dylan, Smokey Robinson, Jennifer Hudson, Yolanda Adams, Joan Baez, the Blind Boys of Alabama, Natalie Cole, the Freedom Singers, and John Mellencamp.
Based on the reading write a response. Are there any movements today that are influenced by music? If so, tell write about in your response.
Music sets the mood of the occasion. Also as learned with Ms.Selip music is the main part of a movement. The song we shall overcome is a good example because eventually everybody will overcome any obstacle that they have to face.
ReplyDeleteMusic has influenced a movement such as schools trying to start music programs. People are starting to see that some teens and maybe even young kids can't open up to others and can really open up through music. There are many teens that play music and in there songs they talk about there struggle. Teens get this through most of there artist because they tell us about there struggle through music.
ReplyDeleteRock the Vote is an American organization founded in Los Angeles in 1990 by Jeff Ayeroff for the purposes of political advocacy. Rock the Vote works to engage youth in the political process by incorporating the entertainment community and youth culture into its activities.Rock the Vote's stated mission is to "build the political clout and engagement of young people in order to achieve progressive change in our country." Music has the power to influence many people around the world.There is many examples. Music inspires many to change there ways in anyway the songs alternate there beliefs too. Music is very powerful and can be used to make a movement.
ReplyDelete"The music became a part of everything," Everybody listens to music now. Its even thought at schools.
ReplyDeleteMusic inspires everyone . Mostly every song creates a story so that the audience can relate . Which inspires them to make a movement . From daycare , you can sing a song to children to sing along & to get involved , & Young adults making to music for an audience for cash . Music can be utilized in so many different kinds of way . It just all depends how you use it .
ReplyDeleteI think music is a very important part of our culture, it inspires freedom and fun.
ReplyDeleteMusic is a part of our life. Without it we would be nothing. Its brings out different type of moods.
ReplyDeleteMusic has influenced many movements around the world. People are influenced to make these movements due to their life experiences. People that have a bad childhood, for example a child diagnosed with cancer or a child subjected to slavery would most likely find a song relevant to their case. And when they hear a song that relates to their specific issue, it drives them to make one, they'll find the song very inspirational and it will drive them to make one of these movements.
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ReplyDeleteMusic today has influened our generation in many ways. There are many bands out there that have been influenced by music and try to spread the word for going against suicide and racism. These music groups have become worldwide sensations and have started a movement of rise against hate and prevent suicide and things of tha nature. therefore, yes there are still movements today that have been influenced by music.
Music influences kids today in every possible way, it molds our way of thinking, looking at life and analyzing situations. I feel like music today is a movement in itself, I think this generation is very much influenced by musi
ReplyDelete*music. Music can also cause a negative movement, for example, in this generation smoking weed and referring to women as female dogs.
ReplyDeleteThere are various movements today that are influenced by music. A movement is made up of a group of people that join together because of something they believe in. Also a goal they are trying to accomplish. Based on what a movement believes in or what their goals are i think music can influence a movement based on the connection between the two. The music could cause the movement to change their mind set.It's not only the lyrics of the music that can influence a movement but also the tone and the rhythm.
ReplyDeletethe different genre of music that is produced today is a movement. it may not be a world wide movement or a movement for a better cause, but it could be a movement by giving the music listeners a message lyrically. maybe listening to a song the artist might say a certain line which you can relate to. this can be used as a message to yourself telling you that your better than what people think of you and that you have that will-power to accomplish anything.
ReplyDeleteMusic can influence a movement in many different ways. Music can put an end to a movement, start a movement, and/or change people's opinions and outlooks on the movement. For example during The Civil Rights movement the song "We Shall Overcome" affected the many people living in that time period whether black or white. It helped to positively keep that movement going forward.
ReplyDeleteMusic influences our generation every day. There are songs that talk about racism, slavery, and many bad parts of the world which influence us to dislike whatever the musician dislikes. Music also has many negative impacts for example, words and sayings that get stuck to our head and we start using these words even if they are bad. Music had a great impact when people were fighting for civil rights since it kept people working as a team and helped make people not quit.
ReplyDeleteThis article is Inspirational and It taught me more about how music is very important. Music is very powerful and also can carry strong messages behind it. In order to understand these messages too really have to listen to the lyrics in the song and sometimes just the beat itself can have a message behind it. I find it amazing that music can really affect a person. It can affect our mood and emotions. There is all different type of music that people can relate to. Music plays a big part in our lives. One quote that really stood out to me in this article is "Music became a part of everything"said Morgan Freeman. This quote stood out to me because I can relate to it. Personally ,music is everything to me. It plays a big role in our live today, even back then during the Civil War. During the Civil War music allowed people to speak their mind, their opinions on what people felt was right. Music was their voices. During the Civil War people used music to get there message across. This also relates to today music plays the same role. Today I don't think there is any movements that are influenced by music.I say maybe on a personal level to some people because it still can influence and encourage a person to do what they believe in. Music still is everything and is forever going to be apart of everything. There are still songs from long ago that can still relate to things that are happening today.Music can be positive or negative but it is a very powerful thing.
ReplyDeleteIn today's society music is everything, it's the way we express ourselves. Music can help us unite and can also inspire these movements to take place
ReplyDeleteThis article shows to prove that music is a very influential thing. Music has the ability to connect people that are vastly different. Whether it is a difference in race, age , ideals music allows people to share their feelings and beliefs. This makes music an important tool in a movement because it can make people unite and make the fight for a single cause.
ReplyDeleteThere are many movements today that are influenced by music. A singer named Demi Lavato has such a huge influence on girls today that she has helped not only girls but many other people in need of help. Some of the many movements Demi has contributed would have to be helping people get comfortable in their own skin, helping people not caring what people thought about them, as well as controlling their emotions in a positive way, how to deal with what they are going threw, Taking a negative into a positive. She has helped many people but mostly girls by just having such an amazing heart and putting her emotions and inspiration into her lyrics. Demi has been threw what most girls have been threw herself, for her to take the time and put inspirational words intro her lyrics as well as share her story and help many trouble girls out there has made her such a huge influence. Her lyrics are so understandable and so useful that one song can actually change a person. This is how movements today have been influenced by music.
ReplyDeleteMusic is great. It has been around for who knows how long and is another way to express ones true feelings, and also music can be used to express emotions and also tell a story or describe events. For some people Music helps them heal mentally. music brings people together
ReplyDeleteIn todays society there is numerous songs that influence movements thats the power of music. Music touches everyone differently and everyone takes it in differently and has a different perspective on what the song is saying to them and there has been music used to put the word across especially in history. Many historical events wouldn't have occurred with out the spread threw out music n the messages it was bringing across.
ReplyDeleteMusic allows people to be creative and free. Every song and every word has a meaning behind it and everyone interprets it differently.Since music came out people have created bands, became music artist/producers , and schools have incorperated music programs. Music has such a big part in today's society.
ReplyDeletethere are movements influenced by music, such as schools or dance schools. Everyone has a connection towards music, it don't matter what song it can be, music also brings joy to people and happiness, its a great way to express you're feelings. Everyone is influenced by music, someway, somehow.
ReplyDeleteMusic is a way that you can express yourself. Music is like poetry, every lyric has a story behind it. Most song in the society today is every influential & meaningful to others. Music gives you passion and a sense of happiness.
ReplyDeleteSadly I don't believe that my generation have any strong motivation or anything important like the civil right movement the only thing that bring this generation is throw social media such as Facebook instagram ect.
ReplyDeleteAny music can inspire anyone to do what they believe in such as the civil rights movement this time great music inspired people to do great things
ReplyDeleteI believe music was very important in that time period. Music helped keep the times rolling and it was an escape. Music has inspired people to better their selves and also to do things to change the world.
ReplyDeleteNot now but sometime In the near future people will continue to inspire people
ReplyDeleteMusic really helps you when you going through either bad or good time. it takes your mind in a whole different direction
ReplyDeleteMusic influences the human population immensely. For example during the civil rights movement, "we shall overcome" was a song that motivated people that change would come if they came together and fought. In our generation a problem that some people go through is sexual discrimination. Homosexuals could be targeted and terrorized. To find comfort and feel a sense of togetherness they could listen to the song "same love" by macklemore and feel a sense of comfort.
ReplyDeleteMusic influences movements in many ways especially during that time period. It helped bring people together and motivate them to do something about the society they lived in.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading the article and using my prior knowledge of music, history, and even todays society, I recognized that music does have an impact in the world. There are plenty of movements that occurred from music but one that stands out the most would have to be "We Shall Overcome". I recently learned about this song that was sung throughout the Civil Rights movement and am glad it gave people home and their own voice in ways.. This song was sung day by day and people gathered around singing holding hands, having hope that things will get better. Eventually things got better and this song was mentioned often in Presidents' Speeches.
ReplyDeleteMusic can influence groups such as the gay rights groups has many artists that support it such as Adam Levine and Lady gaga if a whole group is being support by a big name it could be pushed forward and do better then one that does not.
ReplyDeleteThere are movements influenced by music everyday. Music has a very big impact on a persons life. Wether it is rock, hip hop, pop, or gospel they all touch all of us in some type of way. Music also influences people to sometimes make change or to look at things in the world differently.
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ReplyDeleteYes music still influences movements today. An example is the gay right movement. artists such as P!nk, Lady Gaga and Macklemore have songs that express what it is to like the same sex or how to accept yourself. Also tells the audience to not judge one another.
ReplyDeleteEverybody listens to music. Its even taught at certain schools.I think music is a very important part of our culture.Music could cause the movement to change peoples mind set.In today's society music is everything.It is the way we express ourselves and it gives us the hope and the feeling of joy and all different types of moods.Music can even change the way people think.
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ReplyDeleteMusic today is not done by movements. They're tons of different types of music from rap, hip-hop, rock, reggae, & love. Certain people listen to certain music each day, it depends on what's going on in there life. If a girl and her boyfriend break up, she's most likely going to put on some Taylor Swift or a sad type of music to help her cope with the breakup by accepting the fact it happens to other people. My opinion though, in 2014, music isn't done by movements. There aren't any movements for people today to go along with as in the 1960's there was. Today, people listen to what they like, and how they're feeling that day.
ReplyDeleteMusic is a way of the people to communicate and connect with each other, although music comes in different sounds and rhythm there is always if not most of the time a story behind it and we can relate to it. Many famous philosophers such as Tupac, gave the people and his fans powerful messages though his songs such as "Keep Ya Head Up" and "Changes" to name a few. Messages through his songs have gave the people meaning to do something about something. Sometimes things can build walls around you from doing something, it's just a matter of time, strength and faith to bring them down.
ReplyDeleteOne can say that music today has a major role in the lives of people and the society. Music influenced movements and people during that time and of today's society. Changes in society can be seen in the civil rights movement of 50s and 60s that ended discrimination against African Americans. Movement ideas, images, and feelings were spread through music and at the same time, the movements of the times influenced developments of popular music. Music often expresses emotion as the lyrics relay a message. The song "We Shall Overcome" simply sends a message that some day the people will overcome their struggles and will become free.
ReplyDeleteI heavily agree with the article and the connections it makes between music and change. Music, while still carrying meaning and weight, can more easily be disregarded than words or a speech. To somebody who might not know or care it's just another catchy tune, but to somebody who is fighting and listening, it becomes inspiration and a part of their impetus to press on.
ReplyDeleteThe feminist movement is heavily influencing the words and rhythms of modern singers worldwide, such as Marina and the Diamonds, M.I.A., Young Heretics and many more. These artists use their music to unite the masses for the cause of equality, not too dissimilar from that of the civil rights movement. The fight for internet neutrality and privacy is also an example, though it fights for every human being as a whole instead of one group. A large spike in media created for this movement has occurred very recently, and more and more citizens are becoming increasingly aware of government and institutional corruption due to this. The best part is that whether you agree with these movements or not (I myself am on the border with some of the doctrines of feminism), you are still easily able to hear the conviction of their struggle through their perspective.
Music as a whole is just the voice of the people for the people, and when it reaches sympathetic ears it's no coincidence that we can connect on such a level as to change the world.
I believe that there are many movements today that are influenced by our music. Artists such as Macklemore and Lady Gaga explain in their music that everyone is equal no matter their sexual orientation. Lady Gaga takes it a bit further with her song "Born This Way." The message of that song is that our race, gender, sexual orientation, etc. has nothing to do with our equality and how we should be treated. She says that everyone is born the way they are and that we should all love each other despite our differences.
ReplyDeleteYes there are many movements that are influenced by music today. Music has a huge impact on peoples life and can motivate them. The gay rights movement is greatly influenced by many artist in the music industry today. A couple of artist are P!NK, Adam Lambert, and Lady Gaga. Their music has influenced people to do what they believe in.
ReplyDeleteMusic has an influenced on everyone its being taught in many schools music comes in different sounds and rhythm and the words in a song can really touch a person and everyone can relate to the music that they like. There are many song i can thing of that influence people for example "Changes" by Tupac and " I Know I Can" by Nas these song influced mant people etc...
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ReplyDeleteMusic is life and it's a big deal to all of us because it's just that important. It expresses how we're feeling and the different moods we're in because music is just that powerful and without it life would suck. It's also mostly known for sending a powerful message because that's the goal of most artist in the music industry.
ReplyDelete"Music is a gift fit for God." Music has so many uses and so many times where it is really needed. Some people look to music as comfort or relief. Therapy sessions use music, and so do elevators for waits. Music is everywhere as well, from bird songs, in your phones or eletrical devices, and just in the harmony of a functioning city. In my opinion music is a gift for gods. *Insert praying emoji here*
ReplyDeleteMusic sets the mood of the situation. Music inspired many people to do the best they can. It builds up confidents
ReplyDeleteMusic has made many movements and influence our generation. It inspires people and benefits them. It can make their mood from a depressing mood to a joyful mood.
ReplyDeleteMusic helps employees and students work better.
ReplyDeleteI think music gave hope to people back in that period and with music they wouldn't have anything to live off and to get threw the day bra use back then was a hard time but with music there was hope and happiness in some peoples hearts ������
ReplyDeleteIt depends on the mood or tone and place that the event happened. Most singers influence other singers in a way to give people a message that they had enough of it they want change so in that sense music was a way for freedom singers to send a message to people
ReplyDeleteMusic is very influential to kids now a days. Its helps insecure kids express themselves through many different types of genre of music. Today schools have music programs to help these kids come out of there shell.
ReplyDeletemusic is universal therefor it can cause a global connection witch is a movement in itself and many songs have messages that can influence others to make a movement.
ReplyDeleteMusic is great and a form of self exsression. Sometimes words just arent enough. I feel the song wasnt disrespectful at all. I think it bought a more mordern relevance to the issue. -Brian Nurse
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Some of your comments were really well thought out. Please make sure that you read what the question is asking you before you write your response.
ReplyDeleteI heavily agree with the article and the connections it makes between music and change. Music has an influenced on everyone its being taught in many schools music comes in different sounds and rhythm. Changes in society can be seen in the civil rights movement that ended discrimination against African Americans. Feelings were spread through music.
ReplyDeleteIn many ways, music has the power to bring people together and to start a movement. Through music, people can share their ideas and thoughts and people can relate towards one another and during the civil rights movement through the streets singing "we shall overcome" and many blacks and white folks came together to sing alone and stop segregation
ReplyDeleteMusic is another learning skill that gives you the ability to understand ,express , learn , and make a point .. Music sets the mood in ur in .. A movement that was impacted from music was we shall over come .. Cause we shall over come was written in behave of all the struggles they had to face .. And it's basically saying threw out all the obstacles that gets in the way we shall over come that nd not take no for an answer .
ReplyDeleteI believe music was very important in that time period. Music helped keep the times rolling and it was an escape. Music has inspired people to better their selves and also to do things to change the world.
ReplyDeletei believe that today music is a way to express your feelings and overcome your fears. people are scared to actually open up and be real to themselves but if you put it in a song you can actually hear pain and hear what you were trying to say but didn't come out in a conversation form. also, music is a way to relax. personally, i can not get through with my day if i do not hear music. music starts my day and if i don't have it, it will totally go wrong. listening to music and actually getting into and deep with a song is how i cope with my problems and become stress free.
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