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Appreciating African American Music Stirs One’s Soul

Music is a great storyteller. Through written words, a story is told, of course. But, the story set to music also comes alive in all of us with the emotions the music evokes. Hearing a particular song can cause one to smile, cry, laugh, and/or feel comfort, pain, relaxation, or any other sentiment. And, in African American history, music has always been a storyteller for the messages and information music communicates. Slaves escaping the plantation often used the guise of music to send encrypted messages to each other. This is why music is so important to the African American culture and any culture in the world.