NNPA NEWSWIRE — For many generations, Black music has been at the forefront of the changing dynamics of America and the world. Black music adds more than just a layer of diversity to the American identity. One of the oldest and most sacred forms of American folksong is the Negro Spiritual. When African slaves were brought to this country, they were not only deprived of their freedom and families, but language and culture also suffered. Slaves were forced to convert to Christianity, and through the blending of European and African traditions, the Negro spiritual was born. Back then, music was not just a luxury to be enjoyed during free time; it served as the only preservation of their identity and an actual roadmap to freedom.
