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On southern plantations, the season of fall, Thanksgiving quite often was a time for black slaves to attempt in an escape. The end of crop season was a time to plan to become liberated if you were lucky enough to get to freedom land, thanksgiving, hope, a chance for a new life.
A THANKSGIVING PRAYER BY SISTER MELINDA PELLERIN
Lift Every Voice and Sing has become familiar as the National/Black National Anthem. The lyrics and the song were written by two brothers: James Weldon Johnson wrote the lyrics, and his brother, John, set the song to music! It was first performed by 500 schoolchildren in Jacksonville, Florida…to note, the children who attended this elementary school were going to a legally, segregated school in 1900. The school was written to celebrate Abe Lincoln’s birthday.
The song is so much more. It tells the history of African Americans living in a country that has not recognized our gifts or contributions to this country. 1900 found our people Separate and Not Equal. Many African Americans were on the move to northern cities and towns in hope of a better life in the midst of lynchings of Black people across the country.
