On Feb. 25, the Martha Street Culp Auditorium filled with the sounds of soul music, accompanied by a conversation about the meaning behind each song. Daryl Carter, director of Black American Studies at ETSU and Wayne Winkler, former director of WETS 89.5 FM radio station, used their expertise to explain how the songs represent Black American history.
“The main thing I want to get across to people attending is that there was a message during that time, even before then, that Black Americans, they were communicating through the arts, especially through the music that they had,” said Nathnael Tadesse, organizer of the event and assistant director of Student Activities & Organizations
Carter and Winkler also discussed the history and context behind Black History Month. Originally, Black History Month was only a week, and is celebrated in February to honor the births of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass.
“The program is very unique compared to what we have done in the past during Black History Month. We got to combine Black History Month with a focus on the music and how it is really telling us Black history as part of American history,” said Tadesse.
This event occurred later than usual and served to conclude Black History Month, following the celebrations held throughout February by other organizations, such as the Black Affairs Association.
Tadesse reflected on the importance of events such as Black History Month and Soul Music.
“It helps—one, to connect with each other; two, to reflect back on history and individuals; and three, there is some kind of understanding that we can gain from people—especially our colleagues—from their expertise and knowledge.”
The event allowed attendees to enjoy and jive to the innovative soul music of the early 1900s, while also learning Black American history through the messages in the songs.
“It’s not just celebrating or uplifting the individuals, or even the Black History Month itself, it is also to say ‘What have we done in the past year to advance equality or even to improve people’s lives?’ and to prepare for the next year, Tadesse said. “What shall we work on, what shall we focus on, how shall we go about it. That is the general message of Black History Month. It is not to focus on celebration, it is also to do something, to make a change, to make improvement in peoples’ lives.”
