HISTORY DETECTIVES | Slave Songbook | PBS

[barbaramack1957]

WOW! This is so amazing. I am very thankful for this information. I can share it with others.

[rusty1491]

Most of the catalog of Stephen Foster is stolen slave songs.

[andreastruble]

@zaydelzemirah Amen to your knowledge of HIStory!

[brianmusak]

yis are all wrong ..it was the Formorians

[yaiqabtv1]

They should have sang them how they really were sung!

[dcarolineis]

These people are not AFRICAN!!! They are Hebrew Israelites, the So called Lost Tribes of Israel. In order to be African, they must be from the seed of Ham. According to Zondervan Pictoral Bible Dictionary. Ham is the progenitor of the Dark race BUT not the Negro. The Negro and African are two separate and distinct people, they are not the same. War General Titus invaded Jerusalem in 70ad which forced the ancestors of these people to flee into West Africa. Do your research.

[TheGodkinglord]

@dcarolineis YOU ARE RIGHT THE TRIBE OF JUDAH THE SAME TRIBE AS JESUS [YAHAWASHI]

[ZaydelZemirah]

@dcarolineis THATS RIGHT FAMILY!! We Negros are NOT decendants of the Hammite Africans, we are decendants of the ANCIENT Hebrew Israelites who fled Roman persecution in Israel and fled into Africa by the THOUSANDS to blend in with people who looked like them...Slave Spirituals were nothing new to us, Our ancestors knew that music is only sound waves that hit our body (physical & spiritual body)...the waves can carry good vibes such as healing or liberation, or bad vibes like a curse.

[rfdatagroup]

@ZaydelZemirah We are not decendants of anyone, ever body is decendants of us black people going back 50,000 years in africa

[ZaydelZemirah]

@rfdatagroup get off your high horse & read a book....sure everybody has origins from Africa, but what specific part of africa?? not every black person you see is the same, and just because you have "black" or dark brown skin doesnt make you african.

We are Negros aka decendants of the ANCIENT Hebrew Israelites of the tribe of Judah

[rfdatagroup]

@ZaydelZemirah Haplogroup B from East Africa 50,000 years ago and migrated to West africa



[ZaydelZemirah]

@rfdatagroup Are you sure your information is accurate??

[rfdatagroup]

@ZaydelZemirah yes I had my DNA Y chrome done

[ZaydelZemirah]

@rfdatagroup mkay, if u say so...

[CalypieAndroid]

@ZaydelZemirah Yes Lord, We are Awakening and Know we are the Only Judah, Dueteronomy 28:68

[AnaNatta]

@ZaydelZemirah negro means black in latin.

[CalypieAndroid]

@rfdatagroup Yes, Lord, Shemites first Born. Older then Hamites.

[tysmeo]

I enjoyed this story/information. I wish (current and 20th century collegiate) singers of this music, such as the choir in the video, would sing it in a way that would be more true to the style in which it was originally done. The writers and publishers were careful to preserve the language as they heard it using phonetics. I don't like the operatic delivery at all. Everything they said about the music got me interested, hearing their version of the music let me down.

[pappydinksmoms]

I'm white and I"m pround of this story

[coSMia2010]

If the idiots in congress get their way, NO ONE will get to see great programing like this. Let your Senators know that U don't want them to cut funding for public broadcasting stations. If they want to trim the budget, they can quit prosecuting and jailing people for marijuana offences. That would be far more beneficial to budget and to the people. DO NOT let goverment dumb us down. When people forget about slavery, they become much easier to enslave.

[pappymcdamnit]

@coSMia2010 Yes, and not just quit spending money on prevention/ prosecution, but legalize and tax. There is no reason at this point to argue for the continued prohibition of it.

[riceboy1701e]

@coSMia2010 Not only that, but also FORCE Congress to cut THEIR BLOATED SALARIES! And eliminate ALL of their perks...private post office, barbers, health insurance, EVERYTHING!

[TheCoffeeandafag]

Good doc. but i hate it when someone says "look how far black people have come" Black people's history did NOT start with slavery. FYI us white people could never have survived slavery if it were the other way around, as it requires togetherness, which is a rarity for white people.

[female115]

07.33!!beautifel ..Black people created rock and roll

[beastshawnee]

@female115 even Elvis was part black! He was Melungian, a mixture of Native American Indian, black, and white...so was Abraham Lincoln...psst you don't have to claim him if you still don't want to....

[CushiticSomalianMale]

its just a sad thing to know west african bantu pygme crakkkers, sold our nilotic and kushite blooded distant fellow africans of west africa, to the white settlers in trade for their bibles and liquers a.k.a alcohol,

because since them bantu lightskin short midgets where the majority back then thats why they sold the Nubian-Nilotic and Kushitic-Somali blooded africans of west-africa that btw originaly was brought from east-african lands such as Somalia, Sudan Afaria, oromia, ect Kushite lands

[Steadno]

amazing

[sharonanony]

Black Americans are Israelites. America was the 8th Captivity of the Israelites. the Sprituals and singing of Israelites, is Written on the Egyptian Walls, and the Walls of Asia, Black Americans are Carved, and our Whole Biblical Story. Look up Blacks in Asia, or Ancient Asia. BLACKS ARE BORN WITH THE SONG OF DAVID, AND THE SONG OF SOLOMON. THIS IS WHY THE FUNK BROTHERS AND MOTOWN WAS WRITTEN IN THE COSMIC FIRST. ALL BLACKS MUSIC WAS PRIOR TO SLAVERY IN AMERICA, INCLUDING SPIRITUALS

[african125]

@sharonanony hmmm...where do you read this from?

[sharonanony]

JUDAH HEBREW ISRAELITES=JUDAISIANS=BLACK AMERICANS NOT FOREIGN BLACKS.

[krstnlhjt]

wow - How spectacular

[mastertung7]

only thing they were not african they were hebrew israelites, the true yews, the chosen people,people of the book....

[TheTeenSleuth]

history detectives is like one of my favorite shows ever!

[vidaricks]

excellent video--makes history come alive

[BR5499a]

Play the History Detectvies game. The rules are simple. Every time someone on the show says, "actually", take a drink. You will drunk within no time.

[HipHopJunkie96]

Let Knowledge be Born. I have been fully enlightened to the plight of my ancestors and will not take there sacrifices for granted. I am a representative of the Qurriculum Nation. Look up our material. QURRICULUM.

[sgarduliz]

what's the name of those songs?

[comeup0902]

The slaves brought spirituals because they were the Israelites, not Africans. Those who inhabited the land called africa did not call it africa, What ever your tribal name was became the name of your land, so there is no such thing as an African!. The sprituals spoke of the old testaments, but american history wants you to believe that we created those songs out of the Bible, we could not read or wright so how could we reada bible and make up some songs. Accept Yahshua= Jesus as salvation

[jessicatlover]

omg u should watch the color purple....its soooo sad......

[girraboyzz]

I read in a very trustworthy in depth academic study that MC hammers "you cant touch this" was actually copied from a popular slave song on a number of plantations in louisanna

[MUZIKLUVA420]

@girraboyzz lmfao thats some funny shit dawg

[Olgabalab]

thanks

[sanedra]

Always interesting and even more meaningful as we go through Black History Month. Thanks for posting. Sanedra

[Sydni2003]

besides I LOVE THIS SHOW!!!!

[Sydni2003]

i have to agree with articulate007 in the fact that there is a difference between the 2 sounds... i hate to say it but when you here an african american choir singing in such a venue as a baptist church, there is something there beyond just sounding good... everytime you hear them sing its almost as if you can feel there emotions through the songs. Don't get me wrong there are a few white singers that can do that, but not many....

[wisedomee]

the so called black africans are naturaly the chosen people of yah they are the truly hebrews, see site hebrewisraelitedotorg.

[shawry86]

hmmm.

[fntdavid1]

i like dis show it remind me where i came from brother and sisters dont forget your home land!1

[KierstinCD]

In order to forget your "homeland" you would to have had to have visited there....

[lmarr07]

@KierstinCD Africa is our homeland, the motherland. its where we come from. get over it. we have never been there but thats where our people come from.

[MrTenaciousdeedee]

I guess I don't understand that. My friend is Native America, & European, and her child is half mexican. What is homeland, isn't it enough to be american, aren't we all trying to hold on to something that doesn't exist. I don't speak, swedish or German, or Russian, do you speak any variety of wherever your people are from? At what point is america our home.

[articulate007]

If an Irish American said that an Irish song reminded them of their homeland, would you tell them that they're wrong for saying that?

[jwthompson84]

I was feeling kind of bad for personal reasons and accidently came upon this video... I think it is important to know and remember where I have come from. It has been a long journey. I have no right to feel sorry for myself. I will go on with renewed strength.

Thank you!

[articulate007]

Why do they sing all white in the end - does that do the music, and the people who used to sing it, any justice?

[MrTenaciousdeedee]

How can you sing white or black? That sounds a little predudiced.

[articulate007]

Thanks for bringing up an important and fascinating question.

Just as one can speak "southern" or "northern," one can, for lack of better terms, speak "white" or "black." Same goes for singing and performing. I don't think that people should have to speak or sing in any particular way because of their skin color, but in this case, its about respecting a certain group of people (black slaves), and their music.

I'm going to post a couple of links to demonstrate something...

[articulate007]

Somehow its not allowing me to post a link. Look up "protestant choir" and then look up "baptist choir" and tell me which one sounds more like the song at the end of the PBS video, and which one sounds like the song at the beginning...

[chris2002Rocklin]

@articulate007

Right. "Baptist" culture "Protestant" culture.

OK?

[chris2002Rocklin]

@articulate007 No, southern and northern are cultural differences. Using labels, especially the "white black" dichotomy is wrong. Focus on CULTURE, not perceived differences between people with diverse Sun tans.

[articulate007]

"perceived differences?" So black Americans don't have their own distinct history and culture? Please, elaborate.

[chris2002Rocklin]

That is how you interpret what I said? I am saying that culture is different than perceived differences that attempt to attribute cultural differences according to skin tone.

If culture can exist, then that culture has a history too. It can't live in a time vacuum.

I don't know how I can be any clearer.

[articulate007]

Culture is different than race,  yes. But there is a relationship between culture and race - they're often interwoven. In case you haven't caught on yet, my position is that race is simultaneously real and not real. Whether or not it exists objectively outside of our perception doesn't necessarily matter. Perception is, in many ways, reality. We operate within the confines of language. Without the words "white" and "black" we cannot speak of our history or current experience.

[chris2002Rocklin]

n case you haven't caught on yet, my position is that race is simultaneously real and not real.

So you hold that there are myths in agreement with me, but I go further and claim that all are cultural, race as the idea of "separate race" of "people groups", is a construct of man.

It should not be so confusing what I have said. You don't "get it"?

[chris2002Rocklin]

I know what you are saying, and you are perpetuating myths. The facts are that people adopt expressions, language, articulation, vocabulary, posture, vocalizations all from people that the identify with. If you segregate people by any method, the separate people will drift according to those they identify with.

There are a number of caucasions that identify with "rap music". Most claim that this music has a connection to "blacks". These Caucasians speak and sound as all of their peers do.

[articulate007]

What myth am I perpetuating? I said that race is largely socially constructed, which is true.

You casually use the word "caucasian" to identify a certain group of people (are they from the mountainous region near Turkey?!) but then claim that the word "black," in reference to a group of people, has no meaning. Furthermore, in your comment, "caucasian" is not in quotes, but "rap music" and "black" are... why?

[articulate007]

Specificity does not denote truth in any way - thats fallacy. Please explain why the word caucasian is ok but white is not. If you can do that, then you will have won the debate. If not, then you need to study some more. Try Wittgenstein.

Dodging my questions you are... not a good show.

[chris2002Rocklin]

Dodging your questions?

Why caucasion but not white? That is easy.

White, black, yellow, brown, what do those have in common after the "race" you like to point out?

[chris2002Rocklin]

Try Obscurantism.

[articulate007]

Try responding to claims, rather than running from them, or else I leave the debate feeling disappointed that a potentially rewarding experience was actually a waste of time.

Once again, and for the last time, please explain why can we use "caucasian" but not "white."

[chris2002Rocklin]

Already done. You chose the standard and I defeated it so easily you must be in shock.

Defend using colors.

Go for it. I have defended using Caucasian as more acceptable than colors. Using 4 colors for artificial race identification is the worst thing anyone can do in race identification. Given that "race" is an artificial construct, at least honor some theoretical means to do so such that you do not create artificial race lines exactly where the bigots, and it sounds like you too, want it.

[chris2002Rocklin]

Every last human is harmed by using 1 of 4 colors to segregate people.

You want to defend using colors by attacking a subset of a much less offensive means. For people who insist that races exist, there is at least an accepted system that doesn't artificially put all 2, or 3 or 4 color groups.

Some only use 2 colors to divide all of mankind, so giving you credit for having 4 groups, that is the best argument you can make I am trying to help you.

That is how wrong you are.

Delusional007?

[chris2002Rocklin]

"Try responding to claims, rather than running from them, or else I leave the debate feeling disappointed that a potentially rewarding experience was actually a waste of time"

Whatever argument is raging in your head, I can't be a part of that. You must articulate clearly what you want to discuss. There is a great difference between "articulate" and "verbally anal retentive"

You are not articulate, though maybe this is a reference to your speaking voice?

[chris2002Rocklin]

Then again, you could be one of the emerging troll types where you hang around pages acting like a local, but fusing troll moves in to your "style".

You are a troll.

[articulate007]

Sir you never explained why "caucasian" is any better than "white." Instead, you spiraled into hyperbolic nonsense about some kind of bizarre notion that you have about "accepted" terms used for describing race, i.e. "caucasian" is acceptable (because it specifies a certain region, and that makes it better?! Absurd!!!) but "white" is not. You haven't won anything.

All terms used to define race and culture are flawed, but useful and unfortunately necessary.

[chris2002Rocklin]

@articulate007 "you never explained why "caucasian" is any better than "white." Instead, you spiraled into hyperbolic nonsense about some kind of bizarre notion that you have about "accepted" terms"

You *really are that stupid*.

Use of a label that assigns skin tone as a means of segregation, notably by others, as compared to a label that is purely self-assigned.

If at this point you can't appreciate the difference, you are either acutely narcissistic, acutely stupid, or both.

[chris2002Rocklin]

@articulate007

You can't argue that Caucasian is synonymous with "white" in a racial context, at best you can argue the use is. Your problem there, is that it makes you inconsistent because using only the "approximate skin tone" reference is too obscure, & intentionally divisive.

YOU may not do it intentionally, but early racists did.

These "color" references heighten the sense of separate race, which is based on lies. It falsely amplifies the apparent differences.

I have won the debate.

[articulate007]

A self-declared winner, like George Bush on the aircraft carrier... Congratulations!!!!!

I never said that "caucasian" is synonymous with "white," I asked you if you used it to describe people from the mountainous region near Turkey. Congratulations on being fallacious again!!!

Again, what does "caucasian" mean?

[chris2002Rocklin]

You declared me the winner. Accuding me of "running away" because in an asynronous conversation you control the timeline? You are the most illogical person I have noticed in a long time.

Dig yourself in as deep as you wish to, I will destroy you further at my own pace. I may be busy for some time but rest assured, you will wish it was longer.

[chris2002Rocklin]

You are really an interesting person with interesting views and I am amazed at how much self-confidence you have gained from reading a few books written by philosophers that resonate with you.

Do you think that hands you the keys to arguments?

I won the argument by meeting the standards YOU asked me to meet. Just say "I changed my mind" if you regret it.

George Bush was apparently right, albeit a little early. I guess he too knew that the US would win that argument as well.

[chris2002Rocklin]

Dodging my questions you are... not a good show.

[chris2002Rocklin]

You said "Please explain why the word caucasian is ok but white is not".

I explained, and met your standard for victory.

Try to defeat my claim. You can't just ignore it and then attack me for your ignorance.

Regretting it after the fact, that is not my problem.

[articulate007]

"Caucasian variety - I have taken the name of this variety from Mount Caucasus, both because its neighborhood, and especially its southern slope, produces THE MOST BEAUTIFUL RACE OF MEN, I mean the Georgian; and because all physiological reasons converge to this, that in that region, if anywhere, it seems we ought with the greatest probability to place the autochthones (birth place) of mankind."

- Johann Friedrich Blumenbach, who coined the term "caucasian.

[chris2002Rocklin]

If you are trying to prove you are offended by "Caucasian" that is NOT the same as using 4 colors for "people groups" that artificially strips all humans of their authentic (or false, it does not matter, people may pick their own, but not others) and you have drawn your own artificial line where you want it. You want all "blacks" to join 1 side and all "whites", "yellows", and "browns" in their own SEPARATE containers.

I couldn't care less who "coined" any people group's self-identifying label

[chris2002Rocklin]

I couldn't care less who "coined" any people group's self-identifying label. It is not relevant unless you want to discuss that specifically.

I have won the argument according to your standards, therefore I have won the argument.

You said that I won. You merely used different words that you know regret.

[chris2002Rocklin]

Using a color can simply never be specific enough. Whether or not Caucasian is, is a separate argument that YOU claimed to have won, where I already proved that simply using 4 colors is not.

Try "Obscurantism".

If you want to discuss "Caucasian" is racist, you may be able to build a case, and it is not clear you would win, only that you have evidence.

The prima facie evidence that colors are wrong has already been handed to you for your inspection and you have no argument. You didn't try

[chris2002Rocklin]

I didn't say "has no meaning". Let me look for my words...I don't see it, so maybe it was connected to the context? Please quote me directly rather than paraphrase. Trolls paraphrase some times and it gets hard to discern between rudeness, intolerance and trolls.

What do these have in common?

Black

White

Brown

Yellow

What can we say about them as a group, & if you wish each individually?

I put in quotes words and terms that might not be proper or accepted labels. They are not 100% accepted

[articulate007]

Black, White, Brown... they are words used to describe colors. Now lets quote you and find your ultimately pathetic error:

"There is only 1 RACE."

"...unless you count the fact that some RACES that identify..."

[chris2002Rocklin]

Right. There are still people that wish you identify themselves by an artificial label. I have to respect them. I don't have to beleive them, I just respect them if they want to use regions or something rational, they want to say "for me, "race" is the people of the region where we trace our ancestors".

It's wrong but harmless.

Using 4 clearly artificial "color groups" is blatant racism.

There is only 1 race.There are people who disagree. I have no problem until they create racist devices.

[chris2002Rocklin]

The point I am making is that use of "lowest common denominator" (do I need to justify my use of the " characters?) like color, that really has no accepted use other than colloquial, it shows a lack of sensitivity that is not against any laws, but neither is it worth using or ignoring. The quote I like to use if from Dave Barry's "Big Trouble" (quoting a title of a film, ok?) "Smoking your cigar at the table may not be illegal, but neither is farting in your face, and you don't see me etc. So..

[chris2002Rocklin]

I do think using "black" to indicate race "in reference to a group of people" is only relevant if you need to identify a group you know no other thing about.

So when you do, it implies that you know nothing about them, other than their relative skin tone. I say "relative" because there is no "black" skin color or tone. In fact there are shades of brown or technically Melanin that range from reddish white to "close to chocolate brown" see Pantone colors for precise color labels.

[chris2002Rocklin]

The preferred way to describe people will vary by context & what you know about them. Slaves have been almost entirely from Africa. However, this is 1 example where it can be proved that skin tone has no bearing whatsoever on them, unless you count the fact that some races that identify & empathize with them, & will have that affect on their *culture*. "Slavery" is a class of people, that is an artificially imposed (by force) system that literally creates a separate social class, and culture.

[chris2002Rocklin]

People confuse race and culture. There is only 1 race. Cultures have to do what exactly what it sounds like. Let me put it this way, if someone immersed in it, can also do it, then it is culture. People very often use implied qualifications when they speak. If everyone would be explicit, then those who do realize it is culture would enforce, "This is culture of X". Instead, people use shorthand and say "this is blacl". Notice them mingle it wit national cultures too, like Ireland or Africa.

[articulate007]

Race and culture are mingled by default, as they are both largely social constructions. They're terms that we use in language for functional purposes to describe very real things.

Try filling in these blanks: Martin Luther King Jr. fought for the civil rights of ______.

The Protestant Reformation occurred in ______.

[chris2002Rocklin]

"The Protestant Reformation occurred in ______."

Europe? Am I supposed to say something that indicates color, or what are you looking for?

[articulate007]

Protestantism is from Europe, yes. The song book in the documentary recorded songs that were written and performed by black slaves with a certain aesthetic that has nothing to do with Protestantism. Why then does the performance at the end of this "historical" program sound more like a Protestant choir than how the songs originally were performed?

[chris2002Rocklin]

I did not say it had to do with protestantism, though it could be. That is beleive or not, another point in my favor. The more generalized the comment, the more likely you will be using useless if not insulting comments.

Artistry and any creative endeavor is influenced by many things having to do with life experiences of the creator(s). Furthermore, each individual will have more than 1 influence. If you want to say "their aesthetic is influenced by" then you might have a point, but maybe not.

[chris2002Rocklin]

"Race and culture are mingled by default, as they are both largely social constructions."

No, they are mingled in error. There is no race difference because there is 1 race. One race, 0 difference.

"Try filling in these blanks: Martin Luther King Jr. fought for the civil rights of ______. "

My answer: All people. The content of one's character.

You are joking, right? The existence of vernacular only supports the "perception" of race, not its actual existence.

[hultonclint]

Allen's book is available for download on Google. I had it already before I seen this, so I was wondering where they were going with it. Anyways, check it out!

[deedlerock]

Wonderful information!

[bebobaby1996]

I LOVE THIS SHOW!!!!!! I HAVEN"T SEEN IT IN 2 YEARS!! :D thankyouthankyouthankyou

[monee127]

Will this book be reprinted and sold for public purchase?

[csudhbroadcast]

CSU Dominguez Hills is proud of Dr. Hansonia Caldwell and her contribution to this story.

[AfricanArtFan]

Engaging and educational. Excellent video!!

[LetItFloat]

Such a powerful part of history for the African-American.

[jimbonupe]

This one of my favorite shows!

[SouthernHistorical]

This is beautifully done. Thank you!

[ErichoTTA]

Great piece of culture.

[jamiedbaby3]

that was beautifuL how they sang for him

this is aLL truLy beautifuL ~ see how far song has come ~ we aLways have a meaning for our music ~ some rap is getN crazy, but music is spirituaL indeed ~ check out my song wOw ~ inuendos ~ i Love it

[negkreyol21]

i wish they had things like that about haiti

[huhreally]

Im glad this was documented.. This is important to know...

[lilshimmer09]

@huhreally Yea! :)

[voyeurdug]

Substantially, if not the whole, segment vs. a "tease"... GOOD JOB.

Noticed the southern pronunciation of Jordan as "jer den"... to distinguish it from the surname(s)... for example(s) Barbara Jordan (jor dan) vs. Hamilton Jordan (jer dan).