Happy Black History Month! As we celebrate our culture, I look to our art to remind us of who we have been. The 70s was an era in our music that offered a great deal of expression and freedom. Fresh out of the gains of the Civil Rights Movement, the 70s offered Black people a different level of space to be. From “Black is Beautiful” to “Say it Loud! I’m Black and I’m proud”, the 70s were a crucial time period where our culture began to spill out into greater visibility. P-Funk became sonic declarations of freedom for those who were seeking to identify themselves outside of what was insisted. Funkadelic’s albums during this time were both medicine and stage for things that could barely be put into language. As we find ourselves in times where contemplations of freedom are a necessary step in finding our way, this song in particular feels like a meditation that we can use to bring ourselves back from the chaos of the world. What I love about Funk is it’s ability to be both mystifying and illuminating. As we listen to this particular hymn, I hope that we can find some encouragement.
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