What a time to be alive and to share in this present history of our people.
This is a time with which dreams are birth and courage is ignited.
This is the time to reflect upon a time not so far from here.
This is a time of hope restored...
This is a time to take stock in our present and to make forward-focus movements towards our future; for the sake of our children and our children's children.
This is a time to reflect on all things good, noble , worthy and of a good report, because for everything there is a time; for everything there is a season under heaven. (Ecclesiastes 3)
NOW IS OUR TIME...on this side of yesterday there is a sacred trust for us to hold on to.
As we celebrate the presence of the first Black family in the White House, as people of color, we have been presented with a grand opportunity to look back over our shoulders and respectfully pay homage to those who have come before us. We are here now to enjoy the visual benefits of seeing what our forefathers (and mothers) could only dream about...write about...sing about.
Hymns for Healing; The Words of My People is a compilation project that is comprised of the lyrics of the Negro Spirituals, along with the personal stories of celebrated and grass roots individuals expressing their sentiments towards the song(s) that are near and dear to their hearts.
Hymns for Healing celebrates the 'word -pictures' which were later put to music; the spoken words of our slave ancestors, our parents, our grandparents; the prayers they prayed, the songs they sung, the words they recited in the church halls, family living rooms, and the school house functions;the Negro Spiritual is a precious musical heritage of the voice of slaves.
Hi Gail,
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome. I've listened to the songs and they are so refreshing. My favourites are already taken, like Swing Low, Sweet Chariot! We use to sing them in the choirs in Kenya without truly understanding them like we do now.
Now I know what to lay as I work on my laptop.
It's great! Be blessed. Elijah Rock is playing now as I make this comment. Sam Misiani.
hello
ReplyDelete"Jesus, be a fence all around me everyday,
ReplyDeleteJesus, I want you to protect me, as I travel
along the way".
I grew up listening to gospel music as a result of my father being a member of the singing group "The Gospel Tones". One of his favorite groups were the "Soul Stirrers" featuring the legendary Sam Cooke. I always remember how comforting it was for me to hear them singing about Jesus being a fence around them for shelter and protection. Negro spirituals are significantly relevant due to the fact that they were the "mapquest" directions for our people who were planning their strategy for the journey to freedom. The creativity of our ancestors in disguising instruction through song is as relevant today as it was years ago. Our modern-day existence and the opportunities we enjoy are a direct result of the bravery and fortitude that our people exemplified in the midst of captivity and turmoil. Our current generation would benefit from sitting down and listening to music that empowers and reinforces the everlasting majesty of Almighty God!
James R. Threalkill is a highly acclaimed visual artist who collaborated with Sibusiso Victor Masondo and Gail Masondo to produce a mural with students in Soweto, South Africa for the "Place of Hope" music project. He is currently a national diversity director for Skanska USA Building Inc.