Bernice Johnson Reagon: Exercising Freedom

(Click title for link)
http://www.folkways.si.edu/explore_folkways/bernice_reagon.aspx
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8t8JhGWKmGw&feature=related

Bernice Johnson Reagon discusses walking through segregated southern towns in the 1960's, dealing with the very loud voice inside her head that told her, "If you do this, you'll kill yourself...you'll get killed!" Overcoming this natural voice of fear was a traumatic experience for Reagon, but ultimately this fear she says, is what allowed her to truely find herself in these dark times. She reflects this sentiment very strongly stating, "I discovered if you don't cross that line you never meet yourself, you never become what you can be until you get past your socialization...you actually have to break ranks with it, like stepping out of a safety zone." 
Integrating black and white musicians on the same stage was a major statement in the 1960's. Bernice Johnson Reagon sung of the struggle for civil rights that was fronted by the movements of the different communities, churches, and activists at the time. These gatherings of freedom songs helped give many African Americans the courage to stand up and fight for their cause, overcoming an oppression that is hard to imagine today.
Although you can't deny things have changed for the better, Reagan does not believe that Freedom today is necessarily an inherent right, but something you must earn and practice frequently. She says,
"In our culture, anything you do disappears the moment you stop doing it, and freedom is like that...People think you are born into freedom, but the only freedom you have is the freedom you are exercising."
Are we exercising freedom?? (maybe hunched up blogging over the internet). But as a musician today I would say that it is harder than ever to find your voice and exercise your freedom. Crime, racism, and wrongs against humanity exists as much as ever today, however they are swept under the rug of "politically correct" and there are few as Brave as Mrs. Reagon to speak out about it for fear of danger or an awkward situation. I believe that "times have changed" is an excuse that people use to stay in their safety zones. I was very taken by the confidence and strength in the way Bernice Johnson Reagon talked about exercising freedom in Georgia and leading songs of urgency and pain. They protested wrongful imprisonment, harsh segregation laws, and the ignorance of generations all with a heartfelt gathering of song. When our generation looks back at ourselves in the history books, I can't help thinking that we might have to think..."Was there more we could have done?"

Do you think freedom songs can transcend tradition and be modified and exercised in today's society to promote change? How much a part of Obama's campaign do you think depended on the rallying support of artist's like Jay-Z,  Kayne West, and Will.I.am, as well as the very different style of support of Bruce Springsteen? (a personal favorite of mine and Mr. Obama). How important is it that we have a president like Obama that appreciates the Arts dramatically more than any other president ever has?

Please, lend me your thoughts.