Lift Every Voice: The Civil Rights Movement

A Musical Movement Have you ever considered how much of an effect music has on you? The Civil Rights Movement was a popular movement to secure African Americans equal access, opportunities, and basic rights a of U.S. citizenship. The roots of the movement go back to the 19th century, but the movement peaked in the 1950’s and 60’s. African American men and women, along with whites organized and led the movement at national and local levels. They pursued their goals through negotiations, petitions, and nonviolent protest demonstrations. The civil rights movement was the largest social movement of the 20th century in the United States. Music and art played a huge role in the civil rights movement because it provided therapeutic release, reached

First, the song called "Lift Every Voice" became an anthem for the Civil Rights Movement throughout its history, and would be integrated into public school auditoriums for years to come. (Trammell, Matthew, David Drake, Ernest Baker) This proves that the song “Lift Every Voice became a huge deal in the the 1950-60’s that was able to be integrated into public schools to reach diverse audiences. Next, The Harlem Renaissance helped lay the foundation for the post-World War II phase of the Civil Rights movement. African Americans began to merge with white artists in the classical world of musical composition. This had long been popular among white audiences, but black artists were inspired by this literary movement. (Boundless. "The Harlem Renaissance - Boundless Open Textbook.") . Furthermore, the Harlem Renaissance helped to bring everyone together from lots of different beliefs and backgrounds. Following, The Daughters of the American Revolution refused Anderson the right to sing to an integrated crowd. Marian Anderson performed at the Lincoln Memorial on Easter in protest and it was a huge success. Eight years later, she was chosen to sing at the March on Washington where Dr. King gave his "I Have A Dream" speech. (Trammell, Matthew, David Drake, Ernest Baker) This protest through music led to being integrated at the “I have a dream speech” where many different races could hear the moving words. These movements all helped to create therapeutic release and reach diverse