From Legacy to Possibility, a curated playlist for Martin Luther King Day

Selection of songs chosen by musicians Hazel Miller and Julia Kirkwood for the celebration of MLK Day, 2021.

From Hazel:

A Change Gone Come | Sam Cooke
This song was the wail of sadness that so many people felt.

Too Many Martyrs | Phil Ochs

This Train | Sister Rosetta Tharpe

Say It Loud, I’m Black and I’m Proud | James Brown

We Shall Not Be Moved | Freedom Singers

Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me ‘Round | Sweet Honey in the Rock

How I Got Over | Mahalia Jackson

From Julia:

I Can’t Breathe | H.E.R
This song speaks to some very specific events, (such as the ongoing list of deaths by Police officers imposed on Black citizens.), as well as current police brutality towards black people.

Freedom | Beyoncé
This song speaks to the fact that we’re trying to break free from the chains that continue to hold us down.

This is America (explicit) | Childish Gambino
This song tells it like it is. It shows how America continues to fight the same fight in different forms, but it also shows how both sides have things they need to figure out in order to end the ongoing violence and warfare.

I Just Wanna Live | Keedron Bryant
This song speaks to the true feelings and dangers many of us blacks are going through right now. This song being written by such a young person shows that the events taking place have a lasting effect on those of all ages.