Post #2

    In the first song which was performed by Billie Holiday in 1939, she emphasizes on the harsh brutalities endured by African-Americans while living in the south. At this time and age, African-Americans, were victimized by whites specifically lynched, because of their race, color, and creed. The melody is more of an morbid sound which entails a black cloud looming over African-Americans as they fight for equality and justice. The setting or performance to me seems like it's being done in the North, at a club and in front of an African-American audience. I believe it's performed in the North because, maybe she's trying to raise awareness about the inhumane acts done by whites against African-Americans.
    In the second song performed by Bernice Johnson Reagon, the tone is more uplifting and gospel/spiritual like. I interpret this song as unison and equality between both African-Americans and whites, as it is performed alongside two white people. A song like this would probably be performed at church or at a college campus to show that whites and African-Americans can coincide with each other.
    "If You Miss from the Back of the Bus" performed by the S.N.C.C.(Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee) Freedom Singers also has a uptempo and uplifting type of sound. To me it's a mixture of both swing and R&B with poignant lyrics about the boycott that took place in Montgomery, Alabama. The performance is being done at a church and can also be performed at protest rallies and college campuses.