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Singer and educator Joe Carter—MPR photo/Judy Stone Nunneley
Segment 3: Spirituals as Resistance
The following questions are based on an excerpt from "Joe Carter and the Legacy of the African-American Spiritual."
 Listen to segment 3 (16:51)
Listening Comprehension Questions
1) Gospel and Spiritual songs are __________.
2) Gospel songs focus on __________.
3) Spirituals were written by __________.
4) Where do most songs come from?
5) There's this concept that the master never really __________ us.
6) What was the name of the star of all of the slavery stories that Joe's grandpa taught him?
7) Explain the story of Elijah in your own words.
8) People with faith respond to "how are you" with __________.
9) What line did people think would bring them freedom when cross?
10) What's the story behind the song, "Sing low, sweet chariot"?
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Critical Thinking Questions
1) According to Joe Carter, what was the significance of the story of the pool of Bethesda?
2) Explain what Joe Carter means when he says, "the politics of freedom distract."
3) How were songs used to resistance against slavery?
4) Why were many spirituals re-discovered and published in the 1960's?
Opposing Viewpoints: To explore the issues of slavery and slave resistance, conduct an informal debate in response to the following question:
How should the United States honor the story of slave resistance and the chapter of slavery in American history?
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Research Challenges
1) Compare and contrast gospels and spirituals. Research both styles and listen to selections of each. How are their messages similar and different? Explain how the music feels different when you listen to each? What is the purpose of each style?
2) Research James Weldon Johnson. Write a report that summarizes his work. Why did James Weldon Johnson begin collecting and then publishing spirituals? See if your library or your public library carries his 1925 book of spirituals. If they do, read the lyrics to these spirituals and write a summary of what these songs are about. If they do not, write a letter to the library explaining what this book could offer to their current book collection and why they should order it!
Related link: James Weldon Johnson Biography
3) What are different modes of resistance that were employed by slaves against slavery? How do the spirituals fit into this larger picture of slave resistance?
Related links:
• Resistance: Maroon Slaves
• Breaking the Silence: Teaching about Slavery
• Underground Railroad Site
• Underground Railroad National Geographic Site
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Key Terms and Topics
• Comparing musical traditions of spirituals and gospel
• Examining modes of resistance during slavery
• Examining power of storytelling
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