THE SOUL OF CIVIL RIGHTS
By Ruby
Music was everywhere during the Civil Rights movement, and each artist had an impact, but Nina Simone, Billie Holiday, and Mahalia Jackson’s music really made the American public think about African American rights. Billie Holiday’s “Strange Fruit” was a chilling song about lynchings of black people in the South. "Strange Fruit" was written as a testament for social change, and it motivated an anti-lynching movement that was even cited to members of congress as a protest. Many people were actually afraid of the song when it first came out in 1965, because of its dark, yet powerful message against the murder of African Americans. Nina Simone, another well known Civil Rights artist who was deeply involved in politics, wrote a song called “Mississippi Goddam” based on the places names of oppression. Simone wrote it in wake of the Birmingham Church bombing as a way of moving forward and ending racial inequality. The public wasn’t surprised to hear another protest song from Simone because of her political background. Actually, most Americans were happy to hear a strong woman with stature say it, or rather sing it, when they could not.
Finally, Mahalia Jackson was one of the most influential artists during this time, not only for revving up MLK to give his “I Have A Dream Speech” in 1965, but for performing at many marches, including The March on Washington. Jackson sang “How I Got Over” as a way to tell the people how we won glory by the hand of God, although many were lost, and what we can do next to rebound from the tragedies. Even when she sang then, nobody could touch her because of her soulful impact on the Civil Rights movement. What killed Mahalia was not man, but a heart attack, and we still remember her today for her powerful performances.
During the Civil Rights era, music rallied leaders and ordinary people alike, and helped African Americans strive for equality in a way nothing else could. We remember Jackson, Simone and Holiday not only for their powerful gospel music, but for the way they stood up to injustice by performing on stage, knowing that America might have retaliated against their music. This is still true in churches today, but there is no need to be afraid because everyone is singing the gospel, and clapping or stomping to the beat. It is a way for people everywhere to come together and find peace and light. At church, I noticed that the young and old forgot their fear or sadness, especially when the singing began. No matter if they could sing or not, each person got up and contributed to the love. For these three extraordinary women, we remember that if you can’t say it, sing it, and the whole world will hear you.
Finally, Mahalia Jackson was one of the most influential artists during this time, not only for revving up MLK to give his “I Have A Dream Speech” in 1965, but for performing at many marches, including The March on Washington. Jackson sang “How I Got Over” as a way to tell the people how we won glory by the hand of God, although many were lost, and what we can do next to rebound from the tragedies. Even when she sang then, nobody could touch her because of her soulful impact on the Civil Rights movement. What killed Mahalia was not man, but a heart attack, and we still remember her today for her powerful performances.
During the Civil Rights era, music rallied leaders and ordinary people alike, and helped African Americans strive for equality in a way nothing else could. We remember Jackson, Simone and Holiday not only for their powerful gospel music, but for the way they stood up to injustice by performing on stage, knowing that America might have retaliated against their music. This is still true in churches today, but there is no need to be afraid because everyone is singing the gospel, and clapping or stomping to the beat. It is a way for people everywhere to come together and find peace and light. At church, I noticed that the young and old forgot their fear or sadness, especially when the singing began. No matter if they could sing or not, each person got up and contributed to the love. For these three extraordinary women, we remember that if you can’t say it, sing it, and the whole world will hear you.