BU Today: Fighting Segregation with Song
BU Today interviews Cheryl Boots (GRS’94’00, STH’14), senior lecturer of humanities at the Boston University College of General Studies, for an article entitled, “Fighting Segregation with Song.” Professor Boots studies the inspirational effect of freedom songs on the civil rights movement. She interviews veterans of the movement about these influences and the songs’ relevance during extremely challenging times. Professor Boots notes her experience studying the influence of music during the slavery era, highlighting some overlap between the messages in songs during civil rights movement, including “ideas about developing community, arguing for individual humanity and equality.” When asked about the present significance of these stories, Professor Boots says:
“There’s a lot of evidence…that in the United States, race continues to be an issue, a question, a debate, and a place where there is great disagreement and, I would say, fear and misunderstanding.
The way music functioned during the civil rights movement can’t necessarily be replicated today, but by having an understanding of it, we might be able to better understand what’s happening today.”
Professor Boots suggests that singing as a way to “promote openness” happens in places missed by news coverage but still has similar tones and purposes to those of the civil rights movement. Professor Boots shares insights about the findings in her book currently titled, Sing When the Spirit Says Sing. The research Professor Boots discusses illustrates the complex nature of the civil rights movement and its portrayal through song. Read more at BU Today.