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Singing Story Spotlight Moments in History When a Song or Singer Changed the World |
I sing what is in my heart. My only thought now is to sing as I have never sung before." Betty RobbinsSheyann Webb saw clubs and blood.
Sheyann Webb breathed tear gas.
Sheyann Webb watched police throw sixty people into jail in the spring of 1965, in Selma, Alabama, and almost became inmate sixty-one. But the nimble Southern girl escaped and ran for home, worn-out, tired, and scared by violent reactions to the protest march planned for the next day.
"The last thing I remember that day as I left the city hall and walked home," she told journalist Frank Sikora, "was the sound of those people inside---some of them were singing: 'Woke up this mornin' With my mind stayed on freedom.'"
Sheyann reached home and dropped on her bed. Through her window, again she heard singing. Men and women had gathered together to pray and prepare for the march. They sang in the evening, in the church, and the choir of voices rolled out along the fields and into the homes.
The singing of the people in prison blended with the singing of the people in church and gave the eight-year-old courage. Sheyann decided, "If they could sing, then I could go on marching."
She did march---with Dr. Martin Luther King---in Selma, Alabama, and into history. She joined Civil Rights marchers off to change the world thanks to inspiration from neighbors singing a song.
How did the Civil Rights movement spread?
Members credit the songs which rocketed the news of the movement across the country through spirituals and common lyrics.
Civil Rights activists sang when they met.
Civil Rights activists sang when they marched.
Civil Rights activists sang when oppressed, threatened, and beaten.
Singing gave activists the strength to endure and the method to recruit others to their cause.
Sing and support your cause.
Sing and change the country.
Sing and change the world.
Harmonious Fact: The European nations watched in amazement as the Civil Rights movement led by Dr. Martin Luther King changed segregation policies and racist laws from one end of the United States to the other. The Europeans watched in amazement not because Dr. Martin Luther King spoke eloquently---many other world leaders spoke well on behalf of their causes, not because Civil Rights protestors used nonviolence---Gandhi and his followers used nonviolence to free India from the British, but because the Movement relied in a large part upon singing to carry its message, to protest injustice, to communicate its goals, and to bring about change.The Movement used singing to change the nation. And all of Europe recognized the power of a song.
Over 200 more stories and facts about singing in Sing and Change the World.
Copyright ©2002-2003 David Dayton