I have chosen the Black National Anthem "Lift Every Voice and Sing"
Lift ev'ry voice and sing,
Till earth and heaven ring,
Ring with the harmonies of Liberty;
Let our rejoicing rise,
High as the list'ning sky,
Let it resound loud as the rolling sea.
Sing a song full of faith that the dark past has taught us,
Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us;
Facing the rising sun of our new day begun,
Let us march on til victory is won.

I chose this poem/song by James Weldon Johnson because it is a symbol of freedom and it shows African Americans celebration for freedom. Music was such an important thing to African Americans. It was the way to express themselves. This song raises the spirits of those saddened by the struggle. It lets them know that slavery is finally over. What does freedom mean to me? The list can go on and on, it is freedom from oppression, we are able to live like humans, we are able to make our own choices and decisions, freedom of speech, we can live like everyone else, we are Truly Americans, and we are no longer second class citizens, I’m able to work where I want, eat where I want, the ability to choose your own religion and just have opportunities we once didn’t have and now do.