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Select a title listed below to read commentaries about that program from other listeners and contribute your own thoughts.
2003
The Legacy of Dietrich Bonhoeffer (May 30, 2003)
Homosexuality and the Divided Church (Aug. 8, 2003)
Marriage in Our Time Part II: Women, Marriage, and Religion (Aug. 1, 2003)
Marriage in Our Time Part I: Marriage, Divorce and Scripture (July 25, 2003)
The Soul in Depression (July 18, 2003)
Science and Being (July 11, 2003)
Religious Liberty in America: The Legacy of Church and State (July 4, 2003)
Sprituality and Sexuality (June 27)
Joe Carter and the Legacy of the African-American Spiritual (May 9)
Stories Behind the Story: Easter and Passover (April 18)
Children of Abraham (April 4)
Religion in a Time of War (March)
Faith and Politics in America (February)
The Soul in Depression (January)
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| Reflections on "Joe Carter and the Legacy of the African-American Spiritual" |
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 Krista Tippett sits down with Joe Carter to explore the religious sensibility of the spiritual - its hidden meanings, as well as the beauty, lament, and hope of this singular musical tradition. Listen |
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What are some of your favorite spiritual or gospel songs?
Please share your thoughts.
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Spirituals still live? (February 7, 2004)
What a wonderful suprise to learn that the spiritual is not a dead art form. As a WASP growing up in Minnesota, the spiritual was, and is, a treasure of my childhood. I have often
wondered why it is so little heard today. Thank you Joe Carter for instructing, inspiring, and challenging me. I look forward to the next time I hear you sing and teach.
My favorites? The ones that Mr. Carter sang on your program.
Robert Hall
Bronx, NY (WNYC 820-AM) |
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A Better Understanding (February 8, 2004)
As a White American growing up in Chicago, I was first exposed to spirituals in grammar school and Sunday School. They were in our songbooks in both places. One we learned was "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot." Later, listening to radio programs on WFMT hosted by Studs Terkel, I heard him play recordings of spirituals by Mahalia Jackson, who I believe lived in Chicago. Sometime later, I owned an LP of her singing spirituals and gospel tunes. The album was very uplifting. One song I recall was "In That Great Getting-Up Morning."
The comments by Joe Carter added to my appreciation of the role of spirituals in the lives of the slaves, particularly his comments about song as a way of reaching ancestors who would intercede with God. His comments will lead me to consider how I can gain greater spiritual benefit from the music I currently listen to.
Coincidentally, earlier this Sunday morning I heard an interview with one of the members of the "Wings Over Jordan" choir. The interview was conducted by Steve Cushing, as part of his program "Blues Before Sunrise" which is broadcast on WBEZ and other stations. The interviewee talked about how the choir members tried to embody the values of self-empowerment and self-improvement that Joe Carter talked about. Steve Cushing and the interviewee discussed the race-based difficulties that this all-Black choir faced as they toured America in the 1930's and 1940's.
I'm a fan of the Blues. They can teach us a lot, and put us in touch with our emotions, and show us how to live with and live through pain. However, I'm intrigued by the point Joe Carter made about the White commercial establishment preferring to exploit the image of the drunk or wanton Black male. Of course, the sex and violence of White people is also generally "sold" more than their spirituality.
Fred Meyer
Evanston, IL (WBEZ 91.5-FM) |
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Amazing (February 8, 2004)
Thank you Joe. It was a wonderful afternoon today as we heard you on MPR and SOF. You have a beautiful voice. Thanks for bringing some grace into our lives today.
Brian Belgarde
La Crescenta, CA (KPCC 89.3-FM) |
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Very Interesting (February 8, 2004)
What a wonderful way to spend the evening, driving back to Kentucky from Tennessee, listening to Mr. Joe Carter! Am looking forward to obtaining a copy for my U.S. History class. Delightful and educational!
Allen Brown
Shelbyville, KY (WEKU 88.9-FM) |
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Keep the Spirit Alive (February 8, 2004)
This was a wonderful program. I especially liked the fact that it illustrated the context in which these African-American spirituals were composed and sung.
Our contemporary culture, while perhaps appreciative of these spirituals, has a tendency to treat and experience them superficially (e.g. "gospel brunches"). As this program illustrated, these spirituals are truly eternal music — a powerful testimony to the incredible faith, perseverance, hope and dignity of the people who composed and sang them.
Paul Matthew
Washington, DC (WETA 90.9-FM) |
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I Didn't Turn This One Off (February 7, 2004)
I normally turn this program off. Tonight's program kept me tuned through 100 miles of slow driving icy roads. As a rule I tune out anything with even remotely religious overtones.Though this show had more of a historical perspective in my opinion.
Mark Olson
Twin Valley, MN (KNBJ 91.3-FM) |
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Great Program! (February 7, 2004)
This was one of the best things we have ever heard on Public Radio! We re-played the program for all five of our kids.
James and Lisa Munis
Byron, MN (KZSE 90.7-FM) |
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Great Program! (February 7, 2004)
Joe Carter sings with such feeling. We were swept away while listening. I am reminded that whenever one culture tries to destroy another both lose opportunity to benefit from the God-given gifts that each individual has. I am grateful that these spirituals that speak for many have been preserved.
Sherry Kooiker
Boyden, IA (KNSW 89.3-FM) |
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