- “Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed.”
- What if…Mary, Mother of God, was Black? And that Jesus was Black. That gives new meaning and relevance to the story...
- Many lyrics reflect scripture found in the Bible. The spiritual “In Bright Mansions Above” is reflective of that practice.
- There are spirituals that comment on the behavior of members of the community, no matter the race. Those fall into the category of songs about accountability.
- Marian Anderson chose “My Soul’s Been Anchored In the Lord,” touchingly transcribed by Florence Price, to close her Lincoln Memorial performance in 1939. It was a bold move.
- Enslaved Africans became quite adept at using metaphors in their singing to reference freedom of the community.
- The words of this Spiritual seem simple and obvious. They were immensely important to enslaved Africans. But who WAS this "God?"
- Recently, I shared with some of my colleagues memories of childhood; elementary school, junior high and high school. I was bussed into a white neighborhood starting in the second grade. It was in the second grade that I first heard the “n-word.”
- Spirituals are often taught to children. I believe that’s because the melodies are simple and easy to learn. The lyrics are repetitious and easily grasped. Many of the spirituals are structured in a call and response manner, ideal for group participation.
- …many enslaved Africans adopted biblical figures not only as heroes, but as ancestors, to replace the African ancestors from whom they had been torn. -M. Roger Holland, II If you want some understanding of how the enslaved African community lived, struggled, and even hoped, turn to their spirituals.
- M. Roger Holland reflects on the spiritual “He Never Said A Mumblin Word" in this month's installment of Journey to Freedom: The Spirituals Radio Project.
- M. Roger Holland, II presents "Lord, How Come Me Here?", this month's featured spiritual to launch our yearlong series: Journey to Freedom: The Spirituals Radio Project.
- Several times during CPR Classical’s Sound of the Season this month, we will be airing “Shout for Joy! African American Spirituals and Music for Christmas.” This show grew out of my desire for a deeper exploration of our country’s full musical heritage, especially critical in light of this year’s extraordinary events.
