In a racist society, some people do not have the freedom to be themselves while others are free to be whoever they want to be. This situation is unjust! It also explains why freedom is a popular theme when those who are marginalized march for change. Everyone wants to become their best self and they need freedom to do so.
Dr. Ashley Woodson has created a series of lessons about race and racism for children and their families to explore together. This one focuses on the importance of freedom for all. Read the rest of this post with children ages 5-12 years and engage in the italicized activities together.
In 1900, James Wheldon Johnson wrote the lyrics to Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing to help others imagine a world where everyone is truly free. In the third verse, he described a God who loves oppressed people and cares about suffering in Black communities. This image of God inspires movements around the world.
The song is a good example of how activists believe in the fight for freedom and equality on Earth. It also shows how many people in the Black community celebrate the promise of freedom and equality in the future.
Listen to a recording of Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing and sing or hum along to the melody. Which words in the song do you find most powerful? How do you feel as you hear those words sung?
African American communities celebrate Juneteenth, which commemorates the end of slavery in the U.S. It is similar to the broader celebration of Independence Day (July 4th) or the Mexican holiday of Cinco de Mayo (May 5th), both of which recall times when nations successfully fought for freedom.
Think of freedom traditions, stories, or songs that are important to your community. How are they celebrated? Draw a picture of your community celebrating freedom.
Blackout poetry is a unique type of poetry in which you create a poem by taking words from another poem and blacking out the leftover words. You can also add new words or images to the original poem. African Americans often use this kind of poetry to show how freedom can come from places and times of oppression.
Make changes to the following poem excerpt (or one of your choosing) to create a new poem about freedom. Remember, you can black out words and substitute others in their place to say whatever you want to say. You might even add symbols or other images to add more meaning to your new poem.
Excerpt from Treasured Moments (Olivia Ward Bush, 1899)
Ah! How I was strengthened, uplifted.
How the depths of my soul were stirred.
And the words, the song and the music
Seemed the sweetest I ever had heard.
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