American professor Shana L. Redmond discussed the American Anthem series on NPR's Morning Edition.
In a recent segment on NPR's Morning Edition, the focus was on "Lift Every Voice and Sing," a powerful song that holds deep cultural and historical significance for the African American community. The segment, titled American Anthem: Music that Challenges, Unites and Celebrates, delved into the song's origins, its role during the civil rights movement, and its continued relevance today.
The hymn, written in 1900 by James Weldon Johnson and composed by his brother John Rosamond Johnson, was originally a poetic expression of liberation and faith. Performed by a group of schoolchildren in Jacksonville, Florida, to celebrate Abraham Lincoln’s birthday, it symbolised thanksgiving, faith, perseverance, and freedom, drawing on biblical imagery from the Exodus story to reflect liberation from slavery and hope for a promised future.
"Lift Every Voice and Sing" gained wider significance as a symbol of Black resilience and resistance, especially during the era of Jim Crow laws and racial violence. It was embraced by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) around 1917 and became widely regarded as the “Black national anthem,” used in civil rights protests and gatherings to inspire unity and determination for equality.
Professor Shana L. Redmond, a musicologist, believes that singing "Lift Every Voice and Sing" recognises the potential for a hopeful future. In the segment, she emphasised the song's ability to revive the past while looking towards a brighter future. Black communities across the globe continue to be vulnerable in unique and unsettling ways, but the song "Lift Every Voice and Sing" has never fully receded.
Today, "Lift Every Voice and Sing" continues to hold profound cultural and historical significance. It serves as a powerful expression of African American identity, a tribute to past struggles, and a call to ongoing vigilance and perseverance against racial injustice. Its role extends beyond a song to being an anthem that honours the history of Black Americans' fight for civil rights, community solidarity, and hopeful aspirations for equity and justice.
The segment featuring Professor Shana L. Redmond discussing "Lift Every Voice and Sing" can be listened to on NPR. The entire segment is available on NPR, offering listeners a deeper understanding of this important piece of American music history. The segment explores the past, present, and future hopeful implications of "Lift Every Voice and Sing," highlighting its continued relevance and importance in today's society.
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