Learned of Sister Rene Marie who "stunned" Denver residents after substituting "bombs bursting in air" with "Lift Every Voice and Sing Til' Earth and Heaven Ring" (for a "Christian nation").
That Sister is catching it from a lot of people. terryhowcott.com supports and admires a trouble-making Sister who saw her consciousness all the way to the gate, knowing full well what would come later.
This page is freshened up and dedicated to Rene Marie who you can find and learn more about at her lovely website, www.renemarie.com
Included there is the appropriately unapologetic Rene Marie's statement on this matter including a series of questions and answers. This is perfect, and keeps her from having to engage clueless talking heads from cable infused news organizations.
Keep Your Head Up Sister Marie.
Afterward: Note, Rene Marie states in her message that she had provided a similar substitution prior to that day before a legislative audience, and therefore had no reason to expect this wildly oppressive response.
Here's a peek at her work titled, ironically - "I'll Sing, But I Don't Dance"
Rene Marie
Sydney Tompkins sings "Lift Every Voice and Sing"
Lift Every Voice and Sing
Classic version originally performed by Detroiter, Kim Weston
(Note, Republicans online like to assert James Weldon's politics as their own. But, the manner in which James Weldon grappled with his sense of consciousness throughout his career suggests he was a man too complicated to be a mere conservative.
One of his books, "Autobiography of an Ex Colored Man" reflected his vast personal experiences that had depth and range that would likely find discomfort in a closed shut conservative container.
The protagonist in the book, rebukes his Mother's Black heritage for his Father's Whiteness, marries a White woman - and then later widowed and disillusioned, having "forsaken" his Mother's culture he wishes he could return to his Blackness, but feels it may be "too late."
(Quoting from Library Encyclopedia, www.litency.com)
Johnson was also a member and field officer for the NAACP which in those times was thought to be an act of socio-political courage not commonly considered a conservative characteristic - then and especially now.
There may be other conservatives here and elsewhere at this site, but I raise this because they hold Johnson up like a conservative badge of honor - when in fact, some of his lesson plans indicate he was thinking and wrestling at the very least like an "Independent."
(Warning, this video displays a however brief, closeup image of a lynched Black man)
Black Uhuru Anthem
Beyonce, Nigeria National Anthem
Baka Rainforest Peoples
(Also posted at Invisible Black Tree Huggers. From the narrator's statement about music being important "even to a hunter gatherer society," he clearly doesn't realize that these Brothers and Sisters are the founders of music.)
Melba Moore and Friends
Anthem of the African National Congress, Charlie Hayden and His Liberation Orchestra
Black Stars of Ghana, Anthem
Blessed Are Those Who Struggle: The Last Poets
South African Youth
Organ Slam
Organ techniques class at Berklee College, music by Dennis Montgomery III. Mr. Montgomery has an Organ DVD being released soon.
(With background encouragement and sound effects)
Here are some kids who say they were feeling some "racial tensions" in a cafe - and decided to "refute" it by singing the anthem on the spot.
Diana Ross
Some Day We'll All Be Free, We Shall Overcome
This piece is bitter-sweet obviously because Diana appears to be the only chocolate person performing here - but I present it here for you to partake in the sweet.
Beautiful.
Aretha
Sound Virtue
Image quality is not good, but the singing is very nice.
Jaribu Hill International Tribunal on Katrina and Rita
"My Country Tis' of Thee, Dark Land of Slavery . . . "
(Great post by Sis. Marpessa)
The Voices Supreme
1940's Lift Every Voice With Watercolors
African Chant Instrumental
God Bless Our Homeland, Ghana
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Terryhowcott.com
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