Our Songs, Our Story: From Spirituals to Hip-Hop- The Use of Music in the African-American Culture

The students will be able to relate to the importance of music in the African-American culture and its use to proffer change in their community.  It is important for students to be able to make real world connections to historical times an understand the cultural relevance.  The will learn and understand how the hidden messages and agendas that can be found in slave hymns and spirituals are very similar to hidden messages in today’s hip-hop.  Students will understand different aspects of slave culture in America and how important music is to a culture.