Unfortunately for you, Azizi, that sharing thing is what happens when things work right. There used to be a whole lot of things that we [White European Americans] used to own that now belong to everybody.

Heritage is one thing, but if it's about ownership for you, you're going to be frustrated. Spirituals belong to anyone who sings them. I really hate racism, and that 'ours/yours' attitude IS racism. There are people in this world who have a vested interest in keeping old wrongs alive and old wounds open and bleeding. It doesn't matter if you're WILLING to share - it's going to happen.

In a perfect world, people will share songs without caring what color their writers were. People will remember where the songs came from and honor that, but realize that origins and ownership aren't the same and not be afraid of stepping on someone's toes.