Last year, I studied a module at the University of Leeds called “Black Politics from Emancipation to Obama.” It was very different to the modules I’ve studied in the past, namely because it was about American history. I stepped out of my comfort zone learning about European wars, disasters and social phenomena to replace it with a journey from education pioneer Booker T. Washington, to the Civil Rights Movement to Barack Obama. I enjoyed it so much; it became a focal point in my study abroad application as one of the reasons I wanted to come to the states- to continue learning about the struggle for racial equality in the U.S. Coming to the University of South Carolina has offered a multiplicity of modules looking at American race relations, but it’s been the experiences I’ve had outside the classroom that have given me insight into this first hand.
So having learned about Booker T. Washington from the distant echoes of a seminar room in Leeds, on Tuesday night I found myself taking a seat in the Booker T. Washington Auditorium to watch USC’s gospel choir. The auditorium is located in the renovated Booker T. Washington High School, which was one of Columbia’s first all-black public schools. The evening was part of a wider event: the celebration of USC’s 50-year anniversary of racial desegregation. Other landmark events have taken place to mark the occasion, such as “Retracing the Steps,” when two of USC’s first African American students spoke about their registration at the university- the very moment in history that USC became officially desegregated.
USC Gospel Choir put on an expressive and meaningful show in tandem with the anniversary, presenting “A Musical Showcase of the Evolution and Development of Black Music.” The performance chartered the transformation of music from African chants, to blues, Motown, freedom songs to contemporary gospel. It showcased an eclectic mix of solos, duets, big band performances and full choir numbers that truly raised the roof. My personal favorites included “At Last,” ‘The Thrill is Gone,” and “A Change is Gonna Come,” three solos which would look right at home on Saturday night TV talent shows. The show flowed effortlessly, a natural crescendo building up to contemporary Gospel songs featuring guest Rev. Carolyn Brailsford and the Bethel A.M.E Singers. The final performance, ‘Total Praise’ was a rousing denouement that had every member of the audience in total praise of the choir itself, rising to our feet in standing ovation.
The entire evening was unpretentious and relaxed, yet featured unbeatable vocals and collaborations of supreme quality. Dr. Carl R. Wells was the evening’s director and compere, welcoming the audience with charming warmth. Audience members showed their appreciation and enjoyment with frequent interjections during performances, standing on their feet, eyes closed, head tilted back, raising their hands to the roof and swaying. There wasn’t one song I didn’t enjoy, and every single performance had me closing my eyes and nodding away in my seat.
Dr. Wells ended the evening with closing words that made me honored to be a part of USC at such a momentous time. He thanked the audience for coming, and said that among us there were many students who attended Booker T. Washington High School before it closed in 1974. He reminded us how far race relations have come, since the days that African American students weren’t allowed to walk through campus and had to walk all the way round its grounds in order to get to school. I left the auditorium to stand before a number of commemorative plaques and displays depicting the evolution of the school. I overheard conversations from former students, pointing at the photos on the wall and saying things like, “Oh do you remember her?” and, “I remember wearing those flares!” I reflected upon how lucky I am to be able to enrich my understanding of American race relations with real, emotive and authentic experiences like this at USC.