Melissa Benbow Spring 2019

THE LEGACY OF COLORED CONVENTIONS MUSIC

Civil Rights Era

The SNCC Freedom Singers

The SNCC (Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee) Freedom Singers was a group formed by Cordell Reagon and Bernice Johnson Reagon in October 1962 to raise money for SNCC. The group consisted of Bernice Johnson Reagon, Rutha Harris, Charles Neblett, and Bertha Gober, all of whom were trained musicians and SNCC field secretaries. They, much like the delegates of the Colored Conventions, incorporated singing into their political practice. 

The SNCC Freedom Singers toured until 1966, but reunited throughout the years to perform, and in 2010 some members of the group performed for then President Barack Obama at the White House. [1]

Watch the video below to see the group perform “We Shall Not Be Moved” at the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in Washington D.C. on August 28, 1963. 

The Movement is in the Music

Explore the Video Slider below for other impact songs that provided the soundtrack for the Civil Rights Movement

Billie Holiday's "Strange Fruit"

“Strange Fruit” is a metaphoric song originally written by Abel Meeropol in 1937. The song protests the lynching of Black Americans.

Sam Cooke's "A Change is Gonna Come"

“A Change is Gonna Come” was released in 1964, and was Cooke’s response to his experience of racism. It was featured on his album,  Ain’t That Good News.

Nina Simone's "Mississippi Goddam"

“Mississippi Goddam” was written by Nina Simone in response to the murder of Medgar Evers in Mississippi, and was released in 1964.

We Shall Overcome

While “We Shall Overcome” does not have a clear author or origin, it was an often sung Civil Rights Era Anthem. This is famous gospel singer Mahalia Jackson’s rendition of the song. 

References

[1] Graham, Casey. “SNCC Freedom Singers (1962-1966). BlackPast, 1 Feb. 2019, www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/sncc-freedom-singers-1962-1966/.