Singer and educator Joe Carter—MPR photo/Judy Stone Nunneley

Segment 4: Universal Appeal of Spiritual

The following questions are based on an excerpt from "Joe Carter and the Legacy of the African-American Spiritual."

Listen to segment 4 (14:07)

Listening Comprehension Questions

1) What role did spiritual identity play for slaves? Explain the different roles/aspects.

2) What does Joe Carter say can religion distract people from?

3) According to Joe Carter, who can take something away from the spirituals, and which composers have used elements of the spiritual?

4) How did slaves gain power from the spirituals?

5) What were the 'going home clothes?"

6) Why does Joe Carter appreciate the spirituals, what does he find so uplifting?

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Critical Thinking Questions

1) How does the music that Joe Carter sings apply to the conversation about dignity, spirituals and religion?

2) What message do the spirituals get across to Mr. Carter? To you?

3) What stance does Joe Carter take on musical forms such as Blues and Rap? Why?


4) Explain the connection between 'dignity' and spirituals.

5) What musical style was promoted over spirituals? Why?

6) What is the significance of the song by Jessie Anthony that is played during this segment?

7) What role does music play in conveying experiences? How should music and stories be used in the study of history?

8) How does music shape cultural identity? How does it represent cultural values?

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Research Challenges

Joe Carter speaks about how music reflects the values of a culture. Listen to and then study the lyrics of four songs that are on popular radio today. What values are these songs reflecting? Do you find any common trends in what the songs are about? Why do you think these songs are about these values? Do these songs represent our culture well? Explain. Finally, how are current songs similar or different to the spiritual?

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Key Terms and Topics

• Examining the universal elements of spirituals: coping, surviving, honoring ancestors and dignity
• Examining of how music forms cultural identity

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Click on these links to find further instructional ideas and study guides for the material in "Joe Carter and the Legacy of the African-American Spiritual."

Segment 1: Introduction and the Purpose of Spirituals Listen (12:54)

Segment 2: Spirit of Christianity with African Sensibilities Listen (04:46)

Segment 3: Spirituals as Resistance Listen (16:51)

Self-directed learning project for other Speaking of Faith shows