Slavery in America

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Slavery in America Gateway
Music and Slavery Web Resources

Web site Evaluators
Herbert Brodsky - Dodd Middle School, New York
Diane Hyllested - Pueblo Middle School, Arizona
Dorothy Dobson - Edith Bowen Laboratory School, Utah
Laura Minnigerode - Marin Day Schools, California
Kent Willmann - Silver Creek High, Colorado

Web site Reviewer and Compiler
Barbara Bureker - Evergreen Internet Academy, Washington

Site Ratings

1 = Poor

2 = Fair

3 = Good

4 = Excellent

Slavery: History In The Key Of Jazz
http://www.pbs.org/jazz/time/time_slavery.htm
This PBS site, a companion to Ken Burns’ “Jazz”, “is just terrific!” Slavery is discussed, but in terms of the effect it had on jazz. Also discussed is the “musical collaboration that occurred as immigrants arrived from European countries while slavery was still in existence in the 1800s.” The site includes audio and video segments, as well as links to jazz biographies and other interesting PBS sites. “The attractiveness of the site would lend it to use with students of all levels.” A classroom section is also available, which includes activities for various grade levels. “A very valuable site, even though it does not specifically discuss slavery, but rather the impact of slavery on a truly American art form.”
Overall Rating: 4

American Popular Music Before 1900
http://www.nhmccd.cc.tx.us/contracts/lrc/kc/music-1.html
Created by the Kingwood College Library, this site provides links to many sites dealing with American music throughout history. It has four main divisions: General Information; The Colonial Period; Revolutionary War/Post Colonial; and Civil War & Reconstruction Through the Turn of the Century. Each of these includes many links to sites exploring different types of music. The links for Negro Spirituals and Slave Songs offer “good background information and examples of slave spirituals.” The site is “easily navigated”, and links lead to “lyrics and pictures” as well as information. “The range and variety of materials available make this an excellent site for: teachers of all levels, student research assignments and development of lessons using the music of that time period for study of social issues.”
Overall Rating: 3

Spartacus Educational: Slave Songs
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/USASsongs.htm
This site originated in Great Britain and is designed to be used by British educators. It includes five brief slave narratives discussing song and music, most of which offer links to further biographies, descriptions and narratives. This site would be “excellent for upper elementary” as well as middle and high school students to “utilize in simple research reports” and projects. Teachers will find it to be a “great source for primary documents.” There are few pictures, but the site is easy to read and navigate. Many pages advertise related books with a link to Amazon.com, but this “does not detract from the articles or subject area content.”
Overall Rating: 3

Denoting Difference: The Writing of the Slave Spirituals
http://www.historyguy.com/slave_rebellions_usa.htm
This site presents an article written by Ronald Radano, a scholar in the field of music and African-American studies. The article was published in the online version of the Journal of Critical Inquiry. The subject matter is the “relationship of Frederick Douglass’ writings about slave music and the experience shared by the slave musicians and their listeners.” The reading level is very high, and would be challenging for most students. It could be “useful as a connection to Radano, and a reason to read more of his work,” and could “lend insight into the work of Douglass,” but would be primarily valuable for college students.
Overall Rating: 2

Secular and Sacred Folk Music
http://www.cbmr.org/styles/secular.htm
This site belongs to the Center for Black Music Research. It provides a one-paragraph description of folk music, and a short bibliography. Links are mostly for Center information sites, but within these sites are links that lead to information about various types and musicians of Black music. The site is “easily used but one must have a specific topic or individual name to assist in the research process.” It is “not as useful as others currently available.”
Overall Rating: 2