Wintley Phipps

Why do we need Black History Month?

As Sisters of St. Joseph, our spirituality urges us to build relationships with all people and create communities inclusive of everyone. I think this call continues to help us all as we live our lives at this moment of history. February is designated as Black History Month. Once again we can visit the stories of so many of our black people who suffered and died and others who survived. Black History Month reminds us of the courage and creativity of so many of these brave and courageous people. Their stories continue to inspire us. The video below tells us the story of a Black Negro spiritual, “Amazing Grace.”  It is a hymn we sing so many times when we gather to pray and remember. It is a story we should never forget. Perhaps we will remember them and work for greater justice for all in our world. If we don’t remember, we will forget!

Joan Atkinson CSJ

Video from KarmaTube

At Carnegie Hall, gospel singer Wintley Phipps delivers perhaps the most powerful rendition of Amazing Grace ever recorded. He says, "A lot of people don't realize that just about all Negro spirituals are written on the black notes of the piano. Probably the most famous on this slave scale was written by John Newton, who used to be the captain of a slave ship, and many believe he heard this melody that sounds very much like a West African sorrow chant. And it has a haunting, haunting plaintive quality to it that reaches past your arrogance, past your pride, and it speaks to that part of you that's in bondage. And we feel it. We feel it. It's just one of the most amazing melodies in all of human history." After sharing the noteworthy history of the song, Mr. Phipps delivers a stirring performance that brings the audience to its feet!