"A Change is Gonna Come":
Black Music and Political Activism
An exhibit paying tribute to the sacred, secular, and political aspects of music opens
Friday, February 22, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the Mathers Museum of World Cultures. "A Change is Gonna
Come": Black
Music and Political Activism looks at the historical impact of musical traditions in Black
communities.
Curated by Dr. Sunni Fass, Coordinator/Administrator of IU's Archives of African American Music
and Culture,the exhibit explores such events as the birth of Freedom songs from hymns and
gospel music during the Civil Rights Movement, as well as the beginning of Soul music during the Black
Power Movement of the 20th century.
Advocates of these movements united, bringing together the political and musical realms. Martin Luther
King Jr., President John F. Kennedy, and Malcolm X, spread their message through the help of major
musicians of the era. Sam Cooke told the world that "Change is Gonna Come" (1964), Aretha Franklin
commanded "Respect" (1967), James Brown defined the spirit of the era with "Say it Loud - I'm Black and
I'm Proud" (1968), Curtis Mayfield proudly announced "This is My Country" (1968), and the Chi-Lites
demanded "Give More Power to the People" (1971).
"A Change is Gonna Come": Black Music and Political Activism is sponsored by the Archives of
African American Music and Culture and co-sponsored by ArtsWeek and the
IU Office of the Vice Provost for Research. ArtsWeek, an Indiana
University-Bloomington community winter arts festival, celebrated its
24th year from February 20-March 1, 2008. ArtsWeek brings the city'’s
many arts organizations together with performers and artists from the
Bloomington campus for new events, enhanced performances, and
presentations of new works.
The exhibit will be on display through Sunday, April 27. The Mathers Museum is located at 416 North Indiana Avenue in Bloomington, and is open Tuesdays through Fridays, from 9 a.m. to 4:30
p.m.; and Saturdays and Sundays, from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Admission to the
Museum is free.
Free visitor parking is available by the entrance on Indiana Avenue, and on surrounding streets (during weekends). Metered and IU Permit
parking spaces are available at the McCalla School parking lot on thecorner of Ninth Street and Indiana Avenue.
An access ramp is located at the corner of Ninth Street and Fess Avenue, at the entrance to the Glenn Black Laboratory of Archaeology
adjoining the Mathers Museum. Reserved parking spaces are available on Ninth Street, between Fess Avenue and Indiana Avenue. If you have a
disability and need assistance, special arrangements can be made to accommodate most needs. Please call 812-855-1696 for assistance.
For more information, or to schedule a guided group tour, please call
812-855-6873, or e-mail mathers@indiana.edu.
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Contact: mathers@indiana.edu
Copyright © 2000 The Trustees of Indiana University
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