Black History Month - Cultural Music
February 9, 2023
This month, we proudly celebrate Black History. This month is an opportunity to educate ourselves of the rich history of Liberty and the world’s African diaspora, honor the past, and share excitement for the future.
It is important to recognize the history, achievements, and personal perspectives of African diaspora, including literature, art and media, wealth and economics, cuisine, celebrity, and music.
Music is a highly impactful influence on us. Not only can it lighten your mood, ease anxiety and stress, and increase productivity, it can provide you with an opportunity to learn about culture.
For centuries, Black Music has and continues to shape and share the lives, accomplishments and struggles of Black People the world over. The roots and impact of Black Music are much deeper than catchy songs and popular artists. Black culture touches, engages and influences every genre of music: gospel, rock and roll, funk, jazz, rap, blues, hip hop and rhythm and blues.
In Black communities, music finds alignment as a messenger, an outlet and a space for freedom. Take a listen to the richness of Black Music enjoyed by your friends, family, peers, and coworkers. Use this as an opportunity to share knowledge and spark some interesting conversation!
The Negro National Anthem is a poem and song written about the hope and resilience of Black people transcending the enslavement and discrimination of the past and celebrating freedom. This song is also known as “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” and many have performed it to celebrate bring people together.
Lift Every Voice and Sing, performed by Alicia Keys
This song and performance touches on the various parts of life and entertainment that Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion permeates through our communities and brings us together.
Lift Every Voice and Sing, performed by P.S. Elijah Stroud Elementary School
You can never be too young to share and teach!
A Love Supreme by John Coltrane
John William Coltrane is one of the most influential jazz musicians to ever play, and today remains even more relevant than during his life. A saxophonist, he was initially drawn to the popular jazz formats of bebop and hard bop, before eventually becoming one of the guiding forces behind free jazz.
These are only a couple of the many notable songs and pieces created and performed by Black artists that we’d like to highlight. Be sure to use this month to listen to more pieces from new perspectives, educate, and celebrate Black History.
