Freedom Singer visits campus

To honor the life and teachings of Martin Luther King Jr., Messiah invited Ruth Mae Harris, one of the original Freedom Singers, to campus. During her visit, she served as chapel speaker, spoke to a J-term class and performed with the Jazz Orchestra and United Voices of Praise.

The Freedom Singers formed as a quartet at Albany State College in Albany, Georgia, in 1962. Their congregational style of singing protest songs in a capella served as an essential part of the Civil Rights Movement as they toured through the U.S.

It’s one thing to read about, it’s another thing to listen to, but to be in her presence—that’s something completely different,” said Todd Allen, professor of communication and special assistant to the president and provost for diversity affairs. “The best lecture I could give could never top what she did in 20 minutes at chapel.

While in chapel, she taught students some songs she sang at the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in Washington, D.C., in 1963.

“If you’re marching and you see fire hoses and dogs, you might get scared. But then you start to sing a song, and it gives you courage,” Harris said.

She also met with Allen’s students from his J-term course, “The Rhetoric of the Civil Rights Movement.” Ashley Matthew ’21, a student in the class, said, “Ms. Harris explained to us the importance of continuing to teach these songs. Future generations must be reminded of how far we have come and how much more work needs to be done.”

Allen said that inviting Harris to his classroom inspired and humbled the students.

Sara Schulties ’21 said, “I’m now able to recognize her voice from videos we watched in class, which is still surreal to me.”

To round out her visit, Harris performed with the Jazz Orchestra and the United Voices of Praise, Messiah’s gospel choir.

“Simply breathing the same air as someone that internal to the Movement, that’s rare air,” said Eric Byrd, who conducted the choir that night.

“The choir inspired me,” said Harris. “They uplifted my spirit. I love that gospel choir.”

Harris departed campus this charge to students and faculty: “To whatever situation you find yourself, stand up and fight for what you believe. Have faith and courage. And it must come from the heart, not the head.”

—Jake Miaczynski ’20