Each February, throughout the U.S., we highlight the contributions of African Americans to American society … the depth of which were historically obscured due to our unwillingness to confront the depth of racism intertwined with the development and growth of our great country. This week on the show, we’ll features music that highlights the power and depth of what Black men and women contributed (and how they struggled) to what our country is today. We’ll hear from The Staple Singers, Gil Scott-Heron, Our Native Daughters, Fanny Lou Hamer and many more. Bending toward justice … this week on The Sing Out! Radio Magazine.

Episode #20-07: The Arc of History

Host: Tom Druckenmiller

Artist/”Song”/CD/Label

Pete Seeger / “If I Had A Hammer”(excerpt) / Songs of Hope and Struggle / Smithsonian Folkways

Elizabeth Cotten / “Washington Blues” / Shake Sugaree / Smithsonian Folkways

The Staple Singers / “Freedom Highway” / Freedom Highway / Epic Legacy

Gordon Lightfoot / “Black Day in July” / Did She Mention My Name? / United Artists

Word Beat-Charles Williams & Tom Teasley / “Wade in the Water” / The Soul Dances / T&T

Gil Scott-Heron / “The Revolution Will Not be Televised” / Pieces of a Man / Flying Dutchman

Bernice Johnson Reagon / “Freedom in the Air” / Give Your Hands to Struggle / Smithsonian Folkways

Tony Joe White / “Willie and Laura Mae Jones” / Black and White / Reprise

Elizabeth Cotten / “Ruben” / Shake Sugaree / Smithsonian Folkways

Our Native Daughters / “Black Myself” / Songs of Our Native Daughters / Smithsonian Folkways

Thomas A. Dorsey w/ The Dixie Hummingbirds / “I'm Waiting for Jesus” / Precious Lord / Columbia

Solomon Linda's Original Evening Birds / “Mbube” / Mbube Roots / Rounder

Martin Simpson & Dom Flemons / “Stealin'” / Proudly Present A Selection... / Fledg'ling

Fanny Lou Hamer / “Wolke Up This Morning” / Songs My Mother Taught Me / Smithsonian Folkways

Earl Robinson / “Black and White” / Classic Folk Music / Smithsonian Folkways

Brownie McGhee / “Black, Brown and White” / The Little Red Book of Protest Songs / Proper

Pete Seeger / “If I Had A Hammer”(excerpt) / Songs of Hope and Struggle / Smithsonian Folkways