Folks,

In one of my English classes I played some 'protest' music for the students. We spent two hours over three days listening to songs like, Roddy McCorley, Like a Rollin' Stone, Chimes of Freedom, We Shall Overcome, Back of the Bus, etc. The students are in Grade 8. They at first smirked at the sounds of the songs, but when they understood the history they began to appreciate what was being sung/said. They stopped smirking about three songs in and began to listen. Day two they wanted more and they were eager by day three. What I played for them is the first of that kind of stuff they ever LISTENED to. They have a new appreciation for the genre. Next, they want a mini-series on black 'blues' and that influence on Rock and Roll. (I gave them a taste of Robert Johnson, and they want more.) I think it was Dr Johnson who said (as a slur about my ancestors) that much can be made of a Scotsman if caught while young. Same in real life.