How important were spirituals & folk songs for the life of enslaved African Americans in the antebellum South?

The essay explores the dual role of spirituals in the black Christian Afro-American community, questioning whether these songs merely express sorrow or serve as catalysts for social and political change. It examines the relationship between black and white Americans, emphasizing the significance of spirituals in highlighting community deficiencies and advocating for transformation. By analyzing the social function of black music prior to the Civil War, the work aims to shed light on its impact on cultural identity and activism within the African American experience.