Music/Modern History (Gospel & Civil Rights)

May 21, 2023
1 min read

Mahalia Jackson

"Tell them about the DREAM, Martin!"

Anyone that knows the history of Mahalia Jackson, knows that she and Dr. Martin Luther King were very close friends. She was there to pray for him, to support him, to bring solace and peace to his already peaceful yet agonizing civil rights movement......she was even there, to sing at his memorial. Her voice was anointed and served a huge purpose during a time where Black people stopped fearing, and took a stand. She sang of the struggles of that era, while bringing it together with similar struggles from the scriptures, such as with the song: "Joshua fought the battle of Jericho", and planting hope for a Blessed and brighter future, through every riff and vibrato. She encouraged MLK to improvise his "I have a dream" speech, and to tell it from his soul, as she said to him loudly behind the podium, as he was deliverong his infamous speech....."Tell them about the DREAM, Martin!" He then put down his notes, and improvised. Her voice was made to carry the powerful message of victory through Jesus Christ, through Gospel. God used her voice to bring all races together and to give the world a reminder, from generation to generation, that through Jesus Christ, we have victory over hate.

(Historical source:Mahalia Jackson prompts Martin Luther King Jr. to improvise 'I Have a Dream' speech (history.com)