Voices from the Days of Slavery - Essay Example

The paper discusses how communication from individual to individual can be felt even through a recording. Communication is very powerful and wonderfully shown through the voice of slaves.

            The culture of the African American who has experienced such slavery is full of much hurt and pride. The listener can understand the hurt and frustration that these slaves had to experience. A sense of pride is also noticed because African Americans seem to be proud that they have come such a long way. The language used by the slaves is the English Language. Although the language is English, the slaves have slang that is used which makes it hard to make out at times. The language is perceived to be broken English. After reviewing some of the voices and the folklore songs it was important to develop recognition of the way the African American culture speaks and refers to things. This deciphering of language is used by many without recognition that one is even doing it.

            Language is what allows the listener to comprehend what is being projected by African Americans. “Language is the primary means people use to communicate with one another” (Words and Meaning). This form of language through music such as folklore is common in many cultures. The folklore music presented by the African American slaves is like a story told in a different language. The language in which the stories are told is through music. Being able to rhyme and create rhythm is a powerful form of expression. Many used the ability to create music as a means to escape slavery.

Personal Thoughts

            Personal thoughts on the collection of recordings gave me a new sense of what the African American slaves had to experience. Many of the slaves were ashamed of the trials that they had to face. It was thought that they were ashamed because many of them waited as much as sixty years before telling their story regarding slavery. It also could be that they just wanted to forget about what had happened and move on to a new life.

            I was personally amazed by the way some were able to joke and see through the bad. Seeing through the bad gave them the strength to create music. Music helped them get through the workday. It was amazing to experience the way African Americans lived as slaves. I enjoyed experiencing how the slaves communicated through music and language.