Music has always been a vital part of Black history, offering a window into the struggles and resilience of Black people. For historians of slavery and Reconstruction, music provides one of the few ways to understand how everyday Black people perceived their social conditions and articulated claims for freedom during times when anti-literacy laws or limited access to education prevented them from writing their stories down.

Whereas Black history is often depicted as a cycle of struggle and degradation, African American music reveals the strategies Black people have used to resist injustice, preserve historical memory, celebrate self-worth, and exert influence over American national identity. Black music has profoundly inspired each era of sociopolitical upheaval and artistic development in American culture.

The music we grew up with and listen to today continues this tradition. Think about the songs, artists, and genres that shape your life. What messages do they carry? How do they connect with the struggles, dreams, and resilience of the past? The music of today plays a powerful role in expressing our current experiences and shaping our future, just as it did for those who came before us.

TODAY’S PRACTICE: Listen to Black music you grew up with or that you love and consider what it conveys about Black life.

What’s your favorite memory of listening to this song? What do you love about this song?