Of Songs, Peace and Struggle Series, Martin Luther King Commemoration
name: label: Collection Collector
content: Maltsby, Portia
label: Collection Creator
content: Smithsonian Institution. Program in African American Culture
setName: label: See more items in
content: Program in African American Culture Collection
label: See more items in
content: Program in African American Culture Collection / Series 1: Program Files
unitdate: label: Date
content: 1984 January 14
container: label: Container
content: Box 13, Folder 1
dataSource: label: Archival Repository
content: Archives Center, National Museum of American History
objectType: label: Type
content: Archival materials
scopecontent: label: Scope and Contents
content: Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. commemoration included a song workshop by the singing group "In Process…" held on January 14, 1984, at the Carmichael Auditorium, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution. The program was created to remember the freedom songs of the Civil Rights Movement that represented the quest for freedom and equality in America. The Civil Rights Movement presented an opportunity for equality on all fronts for Blacks in America. Between the years of 1955 and 1965, the civil rights movement shook American society with civil unrest, and through social and political protest. The Movement (forced) this change through freedom songs. These songs such as "We Shall Not Be Moved," "We Shall Overcome," and "Ain't Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Round" empowered the Movement by creating a bond between communities. These freedom songs galvanized the community and gave people new courage, and a new sense of unity. These songs are rooted in the traditional Black American churches. The program was organized by Bernice Johnson Reagon and/or Niani Kilkenny. Program number AC408.22.