| |
| |
|
Religion Information |
|
|
|
Slaves Songs and Freedom
It may seem trite and naïve to suggest we can use the codes that slaves used in their Gospel songs to truly communicate. Unfortunately these black Americans now believe the Gospels they used to make their masters think they were happy and going along with the slave driver. It may seem paranoid to suggest we are still slaves even if we have lots of goodies or three cars in the garage. The truth of our world civilization is not very civilized. The wars and borders that keep us fighting or seeking to be chosen above 'others' in some racist ideology that includes frequent genocides is real. All religions are obviously not trying to let people know that whatever God might be it does not vary from one place to another and all life is part of it. They must start saying they all worship the same thing and tell their followers no one is better than anyone else. This truth does not need the UN investigation of the Rwanda events or what is going on in Ireland and Darfur or Iraq to let us know the culprits include the US (NWO), Catholic Church and their Anglican 'brothers'. This truth of Synarchy that sees nations spying and warring on each other rather than allowing average people a chance to share in the technological opportunities of gene-therapeutic longevity, nanotechnological replacement of work, space colonization, and a host of ways to make everyone wealthy without taking money away from anyone; is not known to the average person. The 'politicos' sling mud as two of the same club run for the office of US President while both are dedicated militarists who promise to protect the rights of the few against the rest of the world. These 'fronts' for World Financial interests that have a long history of wanting power rather than productive means to share and build without destroying nature need a thorough examination. But people are confused and the media is managed by the same people who bought the media to get the Fed (a private company of rogues) in power with no ability for the people to elect new leaders. How can we sing a new tune? Could we at least get our slave drivers (Politicos and media) to treat us with a little more respect and honesty? Please consider the ingenuity demonstrated by the black slaves of America and how we might start creating community and harmony rather than war and hatred. This excerpt from a book called Slavery and the Making of America deserves special attention I think. "The relationship between a slave driver and the other slaves generally depended on the extent to which he was willing or able to circumvent his master's wishes. A slave driver could also use his position to the detriment of the slaves, but he did so at his own peril. Although slaves had little power, they might exercise what collective power they had to punish a driver whom they thought was unfair. A notoriously brutal or unjust driver could find himself censured by his fellow slaves {Today the truth tellers among us are facing censure it seems. Patriot Act II is not the only problem.} who refused to associate with him or even to talk to him. Other slaves might spread rumors about a driver's competence or his honesty to the master's house, undermining his authority; or he might have a work-related accident. The driver's position forced him to balance retaining the master's trust with having the respect and cooperation of his fellow slaves. (11) Clearly, the slaves' world was much more complicated than most slaveholders understood. The slave community supported its members as they dealt with the institution of slavery and the human relationships within it. {In this way it was an extended family with children being cared for by all and a real strength existed that the masters did not have as they competed against each other or screwed the slaves to satisfy indecent needs while neglecting their wife and family.} Under the power of the planters, slaves had to depend on ingenuity, imagination, and the creative use of information. They also used whites' racial stereotypes to their advantage whenever possible. Since slaveholders generally assumed that slaves' singing connoted contentment and passivity, the slaves used music to pass along messages, to control the pace of work, to placate a suspicious master, or to subtly comment on a person or a situation for the benefit or amusement of fellow slaves. When slaves sang 'patter-roll round me. Thank God he no ketch me,' most slaves understood the humorous message. Slaves referred to the slave patrols, generally made up of poor white men who did not own slaves, as 'patter rollers'. This song was the story of slaves who eluded the patrol by cunning and guile. A song urging slaves to 'Steal away to Jesus' could alert listeners to an upcoming secret meeting, while 'Swing low sweet chariot, coming for to carry me home,' might tell of the possibility of rescue from bondage. Other songs about seeking freedom announced 'people get ready, there's a train a comin',' or told of the 'dark and thorny' pathway 'beyond this vale of sorrow' leading to 'de fields of endless days.' Old Testament stories of deliverance from bondage and the triumph of good over powerful evil often provided the themes for slave songs. The walls of Jericho that Joshua destroyed became a surrogate for the bonds of slavery. The message was subtle, but the words, musical inflection, pitch, and tone told the story of the slave's suffering and determination to be free." (12 & 13) Author of Diverse Druids
MORE RESOURCES:
Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
From the Heart 1 Corinthians 9:19-9:23From The Heart A Look at Christianity from a Ministers Point of View. The following scriptures give us an insight on who we are and the awesome responsibility that we have as ministers of the word of God. Crucification Most of know how Jesus was crucified. Do we ever ask ourselves about the crucifying of our flesh? What it means and how do we accomplish it. Public Spectacle Do you sometimes wonder how did Jesus make a Public Spectacle of Satan? Well let's see what the Bible says. Look at Colossians 2:13 it says. Sins and the REAL Demons We all must know that the Catholic Church has used fear of demons and so-called sin to make a great deal of their power. I hope to illustrate the inner workings of the separation of church and state that is not a reality and that the state uses the same techniques. Treachery in the Midst of the Land The term Scripture uses to describe the activities of those who attempt to sell-out Israel comes to mind. "Treacherous!"Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is being underhanded, deceptive, manipulative, and threatening. Calling Some may ask what is a calling and what shall I do when called. Well let's look at the Bible and see what it says. The Dark Side of The Pope If you look at just the man/women after he/she has died, what part of the humanity do you eulogize?Every person has something to bring to us in his or her death; it is a gift from the other side and is the knowledge of the past and an open door to a new path for the future. The life lived by any person can motivate us to a brighter and more enlightened future. Organized Religion is Great for Humanity; Rants from Lance Organized Religion has served mankind well, by uniting civilization and societies for thousands of years. God bless organized religion indeed. Can Jewish Americans Still Have Devout Catholic Friends? America is dividing again. Jewish Americans are finding it hard to discuss issues with devout Catholics who go with the flow and support the new Pope, Benedict XVI a former Hitler Youth. Revealing It is written in Revelation 1:1 The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who testifies to everything he saw-that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. Miracle Worker The power of the Holy Spirit is so profound it is truly a wonder, beyond human intelligence. Let's take a look at what the Bible says about miracles. Satan is Let Loose One More Time After the 1000 years are up in the Millennium Kingdom, two additional things must happen before we get our new heaven and new earth. These two events will seal the fate of Satan and all the unsaved people who have ever lived once and for all. Finding God in the Clouds It was a cool August night during the Summer before my Junior year in high school. I was just getting off work on what seemed to be the worst day of my life. White Sun - Tao of Heaven; What is Wisdom? To be awakened to the realization of one's True Self is wisdom. A person becomes awakened when he realizes that his True Nature is that of God. Why do Humans Need a God? Many have asked why people need a God to cope with life? There must be a reason, because it appears that every culture in recorded history had some belief in some type of god. All the different cultures, tribes, societies and civilization had their Gods, trinkets, traditions, rituals and temples. Death of an American,The Death of Decency John 16:2-3:16The Death of an American, The Death of Decency. The following is a quote from the Arab network. Do You Have Disciples? Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." That was the command of the master, Jesus of Nazareth when he walked the face of this earth to two fishermen, Simon and his brother, Andrew. Doctrine of the Nicolaitanes When the Lord was showing John on Patmos what the seven churches would be like, He commended the church at Ephesus because they hated the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which the Lord also detested. In Pergamos, the third church, these deeds had become accepted doctrine, which the Lord also hated. The Power of Stories and Testimonies As I am sure you all can tell by now, I am a big believer in sharing with you stories and testimonies of God supernaturally showing Himself in any way, shape or form. I believe that these God-stories are extremely powerful and they all help us to continue to build our faith up in the power of God and the fact that He does want to become very active in our lives if we are open to allowing Him to come in. Deliverance Deliverance is to be rescued or salvation. Thanks be to Jesus that he showed us the way to save our souls from sin.
|
| home | site map |
| © 2006 |
