Day 28: Negro Spirituals and Survivals.

     Art.  Books.  Music.  Each one are avenues to the mind, heart and soul of the receiver.  Whether you hear the music,  see the art or hold the books, the power of communicating a feeling or thought is conveyed and in some cases never forgotten.  Years ago at a catechism workshop,  there were a group of students speaking about the power of music as a ministry.  One woman, a native of Detroit, African American and Catholic stated that the "European" Catholics would never feel at home at a predominantly black Catholic Church.  We all vehemently disagreed.  The mass is the same in every Catholic church.  Yes, but the music is very different.  It resemblers closer to Negro spirituals.  She was right.  It is different and although it is not the same as the Ave Maria or Ode to Joy, it speaks about the soul hearing for God in a very different yet passionate way.  Which leads to this post's topic and the last book for Black History Month,  The Creation of Negro Spirituals: An Ennobling Power of Survival.  Laurie Treat's book is a fascinating look at Negro Spirituals and its role in capturing the human spirt of slaves.

    The list of achievements and contributions of African slaves is long and varied.  The Negro spirituals are probably the contributions that are familiar to most.When listening to these songs the struggles, fears and hope in God become very real.    The Negro spiritual was created by plantation slaves for plantation slaves.  The music was uplifted and sustained the slaves through times of mental and physical anguish.  It kept them together.  In many cases kept them alive as well.    Treat's research and writing provide the overwhelming evidence on how this music not only impacted the South but today's music as well. 

    Ms. Treat researched in the South and viewed the plantations along the Mississippi River giving this book a unique feel.  Readers will be begin to understand, even if just a little bit how Negro Spirituals captured a captivating voice in song.  Is is not that the Negro Spiritual would provide the foundations for music genres such as Gospels, Jazz, Rhythm and Blues.  When reading this book it becomes apparent that the Negro spirituals were not written just for the slaves for the slaves.  They left the world a gift that would resonate and inspire people of all ages,  all races.   

    As we end this year's Black History Month,  it is with deep hope that the books presented here will give readers a chance to see that there is hope that as a human race we can come together.  Each of the books chosen have a unique voice and perspective.  Each one is important.  Each one should be headed.  Enjoy reading these books anytime of the year.  If you don't get all of them in February 2021.  Not to worry.  Just have them read by February 2022.  

Read to learn.  Read to enjoy.  Read to understand.