Music was a critical part in the U. S civil rights movement, as it 's for social movements around the world. Freedom songs gave African-American people, new courage and a sense of unity. Suzanne Smith, author of "Dancing in the Street: Motown and the Cultural Politics of Detroit" stated that "Singing in a group helps remind people that they are not alone."
Often songs within the movement were subjects by events that occurred within that era such as, Aretha Franklin "Respect," Blue Mitchell "March on Selma" and Bob Marley "Redemption Song." The music draws direct inspiration from the movement whilst expressing the moral urgency of the struggle. Those songs unquestionably expressed the oppression African-Americans faced, through hope and belief that one day black people will overcome and have a bright future. This essay will discuss freedom songs, "We shall overcome" and "Alabama" also how freedom songs affected the civil rights movement.
"We shall overcome" played a significant role in the civil rights movement. It had often been called the anthem of the freedom movement and iconic of all the freedom songs.
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Since the 1960s “We shall overcome,” continues to develop as it goes around the world. Stuart Stott’s author of we shall overcome explains within his book, why the song evolve around the world through different protest movements, Countries, in south Africa during apartheid and China during the 1988 Tiananmen square protests. This song represents both a song and a symbol of freedom and resistance to oppression, giving it a significant role within the civil rights movement and any movement worldwide.
"Alabama" song composed by John Coltrane played a significant role in the movement, as it showed how injustice events pushed the civil rights movement to fight harder and quicker for their freedom. On September 15th 1963, four girls Addie Mae Collins 14, Carol Robertson 14, Cynthia Wesley 14 and Denise McNair 11, died from a bombing attacked planted by