User:Gooch441/Gospel Music and the Influence of the Civil Rights Movement

Introduction

Music was a prominent way to show the hardships African Americans endured throughout generations. This style of music was a way for the black community to come together and share their experiences. This came into popularity in the 1920s for African Americans and influenced slave songs and their meaning. In this period music was a way to communicate, as well it increased the white population to listen to black liberators. Many events caused outrage such as the case of Emmet Till, Little Rock Nine, Rosa Parks, and the death of the MLK.

History

Gospel music gave African- Americans a sense of power, hope, and love. The first rendition of black gospel music was the Fisk Jubilee Singers. They performed spiritual songs, but in a formal manner. Frederick J. Work had a major influence on the way the singers were going to progress. He worked with them for the next 16 years and incorporated these songs into college classes. His work was essential for black students to always remember their heritage and feel empowered by blackness. The Holiness movement increased the amount of different gospel groups to start such as, The Jubilee Singers, The Blue Jays, and the Ravizee Singers. Churches were expanding as well sharing the gospel music to their fellow community. This music was a way for the less uneducated population.

With the rise of musical technology during the 1920s recording companies were starting to seek out black artists in the south. Not only would they record local black artists they were also interested in recording sermons for the popular demand from black churches. One key figure in black songwriting and production, was Thomas Dorsey. He was able to capture the spirit of these soulful singers and share black culture. He was not only behind the scenes while creating music he would also train and accompanied many singers. Dorsey also advocated for the recognition of churches and ministries where this music style was born.

This music was not always seen as a light of soul and spiritual, it was not recognized as a style of music. Especially when black southerners were popularizing gospel. This new music was appalling to white audiences from the fact that it was loud, and unorganized, or just not set to their standards of traditional European music. Singing was also a way for young black southerners to get a chance of hope. They had a chance to be involved with singing and had an opportunity to embrace blackness.

Protests

Gospel music had influences from the slave songs they would sing in fields; a well-known song is “We Shall Overcome”. This song became a staple in the Civil Rights Movement for the fight for equality and justice. This song was used at various protests and sit-ins usually sung by the SNCC (Student Non-Violent Committee) as well as the Freedom Singers. The SNCC was influential for the young black community. The SNCC toured various college campuses singing and educating people on the power of voting.

During another historical protest, the Albany Movement, the singers gave people courage and unity within their community. The SNCC was also a part of this movement. With the new power of using freedom songs in their protests, this became a staple in many more movements to come.

Notable Gospel Singers

·   Fannie Lou Hamer played an influential role during the civil rights movement, especially for black women. She unfortunately went through a hysterectomy without consent, this was a way to reduce the black population. With Fannie’s strong will she wanted to be a part of the movement. She later joined the SNCC, her efforts were to increase voting rights for her fellow community. She was adamant about getting more black people to participate in the government. She helped create an organization called, “Freedom Summer” (Biography: Fannie Lou Hamer, n.d.). This organization was primarily used for voter registration in the South where segregation and violence was prevalent issue. She used her voice to attract people in and lift the spirits of the young influential minds of the younger black generation.

·    Freedom Singers: The Freedom singers were part of the Student Non-violent Committee, and their goal was to protest the south while fighting for black liberation. Most of the songs they sang were from old black hymns and would modify lyrics accommodating to the civil injustices. The Freedom Singers were involved in many peaceful protests such as the infamous March on Washington, as well as the sit-in movement in Nashville, Tennessee. (Hatfield, 2007;2020)

·   Mahalia Jackson: Mahalia Jackson was a resilient woman who would perform gospel music to showcase her political affiliations as a black woman. She was a well-known artist and was able to perform at monumental events that contributed to the civil rights movement. She performed at the St. John A.M.E Church to boost the protestors of the Montgomery Bus Boycott to keep pushing through. She got to perform for John. F Kennedy for his inauguration gala, this is a huge achievement for black people; black women get this type of representation. Mahlia also inspired Dr. King’s I Have a dream speech, “That was when Jackson spontaneously shouted, “Tell ‘em about the dream, Martin, tell ‘em about the dream!” (“How Mahalia Jackson Sparked Martin Luther King Jr.’s ‘I Have a Dream’ Speech,” 2023). She changed the whole tone of Martin Luther King’s speech into what is so famous today.

·   Aretha Franklin: The “Queen of Soul” Aretha Franklin was not only a music icon, but also a core of the civil rights movement. Aretha Franklin grew up in the church, that’s how she found her love for gospel music. She was mentored as a child by Mahlia Jackson (Lang, 2018). Her top-hitting record “Respect” was an anthem for racial and gender rights. This was a pivotal moment for the civil rights movement, commending a just and fair society without segregation.

· Ray Charles: Was a musical genius who struggled with discrimination, poverty, and blindness; still had the perseverance to fight for social justice. He incorporated within his culture with African American music whether it was performance or musical. His music had roots from gospel, jazz, along with many other genres. His approach to music was to defy the stereotypical black artist by making his sound unique. Ray Charles at the time was one of few who had power within their finances as a black or white person (Brother Ray’s Message to the People, 2018). His songs ignited social change and wanted to break the racial stereotypes placed on African Americans.

Influential Gospel Songs

·   We Shall Overcome: This song has an easy melody, so anyone can join in and learn. This is why this song was prominent in the movement, it was especially easy for everyone to learn and come together as a community. Influential for breaking the past trauma of slavery and integrating into white spaces whilst fighting for justice and equality. Sang at memorable movements such as King’s “I Have a Dream” speech given at the Washington Monument.

·   How I Got Over: This hymn also has a similar importance as “We Shall Overcome” Showing how the black community has endured and still is persevering and fighting for human rights. This was also performed at the Washington Monument and performed by the famous Mahalia Jackson.

-Precious Lord, Take my Hand (Thomas Dorsey, 1932): Composed by Thomas Dorsey, a songwriter, producer, and accompanist this song was influential. This song became especially prominent when Mahlia Jackson did her rendition of the song, and numerous artists would share this song. With its theme of hope and faith this song have people strength during the civil rights movement