they captured the inhumanity

       “The Negro spirituals were so important to the enslaved African, who, as scripture would foretell, were brought into this ‘strange land’ having been asked to sing a new song. We understand that many of these enslaved Africans came to the Americas with different dialects, different languages that they spoke,” explains composer and Wayne State University music instructor Dr. Brandon Waddles in an interview with host A. J. Walker on Detroit PBS’ American Black Journal. “Music has always been a universal language. And coded therein, within these songs were messages; not only messages of hope, but messages that would lead these enslaved Africans to freedom.” […]