A Negro Hung Alive by the Ribs to a Gallow

This disturbing image was created for a book entitled, Narrative of a Five-Years' Expedition against the Revolted Negroes of Surinam. The author, Englishman John Gabriel Stedman, was hired by the Dutch to help quell slave uprisings in their South American colony. In his "narrative" he describes the plants and animals he encountered, as well as how he and fellow soldiers tortured runaway slaves who had been recaptured.

A Negro Hung Alive by the Ribs to a Gallows is based on a crude sketch by Stedman, engraved by the famous English poet and artist, William Blake. Its graphic depiction of a slave in Surinam hanging by a single rib illustrates the general lack of compassion whites had when dealing with enslaved Africans throughout the world.

John Lennon - Woman is the "N" of the World

Slave song by Sade Adu

I see them gathered, see them on the shore
I turned to look once more
And he who knows me not
Takes me to the belly of darkness

The tears run swift and hard
And when they fall
Even, even the comfort of a stone
Would be a gain
There was a time when I thought
I would have to give up
But I'm thankful that I'm
Strong as I am and I'll
Try to do the best I can

Tears will run swift
And tears will come that fall like rain
I pray that it's swift though
Tears will fall as cold as pain

I pray to the almighty
Let me not to him do
As he has unto me
Teach my beloved children
Who have been enslaved
To reach for the light continually

So many times I prayed
So many times I've prayed for you
Prayed for you

The tears run swift and hard and cold as pain
Even, even the comfort of a stone would be a gain
Had I not had the strength and wisdom of a warrior
I would have to give up
But I'm thankful that I'm
Strong as I am and I'll
Try to do the best I can

I pray to the almighty
Let us not do as he has unto us
Teach my beloved children I've been a slave
But reach for the light continually

Wisdom is the flame
Wisdom is the brave warrior
Who will carry us into the sun
I pray that it's swift though
Tears will come that fall like rain

So many times, so many times

Summertime

This song was sang by Fantasia on American Idol. It is not only a beautiful song; it also depicts the live of an African American in the south. It illustrate how African Americans have used music as inspiration and the importance of music in the community.

Summertime and the livin' is easy
Fish are jumpin' and the cotton is high
Oh, your daddy's rich and your ma is good lookin'
So hush little baby, don't you cry

One of these mornings, you're goin' to rise up singin'
Then you spread your wings and you'll take the sky
But 'til that mornin', there's nothin' can harm you
With daddy and mammy standin' by

One of these mornings, you're goin' to rise up singin'
Then you spread your wings and you'll take the sky
But 'til that mornin', there's nothin' can harm you
With daddy and mammy standin' by

'A Change Is Gonna Come'

Sam Cooke was one of the first singers to bring Soul music to the forefront. His music served as an inspiration to incredibly iconic artists like Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, and Stevie Wonder just to name a few. Early in his career, Cooke was known for more light-hearted songs like one of my personal favorites, 'You Send Me.' However, Cooke had been inspired in 1963 when he heard Bob Dylan's 'Blowin' In The Wind.' He was deeply moved by Dylan's lyrics that told of the sad reality of racism in America. After attending at sit-in demonstration in Durham, North Carolina, Cooke wrote what would become one of the greatest songs in all of music history according to Rolling Stone. Cooke was born in Mississippi and had been affected by harsh discrimination in the Deep South. Specifically, Cooke and had band and tried to register at a motel for whites only. By doing so, they were arrested in Shreveport, Louisiana for disturbing the peace according to law officials. Naturally, he wanted to incorporate these emotions and experiences into his music. However, he was at first hesitant because he had garnered many white fans and he didn't want to alienate them. Luckily, Cooke overcame his fears and wrote the song that lived within his heart. I couldn't find a video of Sam Cooke singing this song live. However, I encourage you to listen to this song with your eyes closed. When I did so, I was able to feel the emotion and pain in his voice. I imagine the pain must be similar to what blacks felt during the era of slavery. Even though Cooke's life has been hard, he remains hopeful that change will come. Sadly, Cooke died a year after he wrote 'A Change Is Gonne Come.' Rest in peace, Sam.

On a side note, if you wish, please watch this second video. The interviewer asked Sam Cooke to hum 8 bars of what soul represented to him. The 30 second clip gave me goosebumps!

Go Down Moses!

1. When Israel was in Egypt’s land,
   Let My people go!
   Oppressed so hard they could not stand,
   Let My people go!
   • Refrain:
     Go down, Moses,
     Way down in Egypt’s land;
     Tell old Pharaoh
     To let My people go!
2. No more shall they in bondage toil,
   Let My people go!
   Let them come out with Egypt’s spoil,
   Let My people go!
3. Oh, let us all from bondage flee,
   Let My people go!
   And let us all in Christ be free,
   Let My people go!
4. You need not always weep and mourn,
   Let My people go!
   And wear these slav’ry chains forlorn,
   Let My people go!
5. Your foes shall not before you stand,
   Let My people go!
   And you’ll possess fair Canaan’s land,
   Let My people go!
6. The song clearly commands the pharaoh to let the israelites go from oppression and slavery. The words are not inspired by Moses, but by the words of God. Slavery is not just an invention of the 20th century, but has been as old as the world itself. Black slaves that lived in the south could have used this song to encourage themselves. The song cannot only be referred to slavery in the United States, but also be applied to slavery in today's society. Slavery exists in many forms. Some are oppressed by keeping them captive in small environments. One way slavery is still present in society is through human trafficking. Songs such as "Go Down Moses", or "Wade In The Water", have inspired many to overcome their struggles. Many songs that have been written during slavery were songs that were instructions for slaves to flee from their slave owners. The slaves would use their church as a meeting place to discuss their escape. Through songs they were able to communicate on a level unfamiliar to whites. It was like speaking another language.
7. Jezreel Asare