Education Can Come from Unexpected Sources
A few months ago, I began teaching my general music students about the history of African-American “Work Songs” or “Spirituals” as they’re more commonly known today. This music, created out of the depths of human suffering and trauma during the horrendous four-hundred year period of enslavement in this country, has a deep rooted history, older than the United States itself. The story of this beautiful music, it’s painful origins and inspiring resilience is the story of American music, and represents one of the many rich legacies of African-American cultural contribution and creative achievement.
In teaching this lesson, I set out to give my students a foundational knowledge on enslavement in the United States. After a quick survey, it was clear that the majority of them didn’t have any true understanding of enslavement, an occurrence I’ve encountered frequently as an educator and performer of “Work Song” repertoire. Given the sensitivity concerning the graphic accounts and images associated with this period, I chose to introduce the topic by using excerpts from “Harriet,” a film featuring the brilliant Cynthia Arrivo as Harriet Tubman. We talked about the Underground Railroad, the ingenuity and courage of those who fled for their freedom and the coded messages contained in song, quilts and letters from that time.
The discussion was typical of many surrounding the period of enslavement in that most students were reserved in offering their opinions and feelings about such a raw emotional subject. However, there was one student who kept answering questions and stating historical facts time and time again. I was surprised, because he is usually quite reserved, and speaks very little—especially during class discussions. He went on to tell us all about Fredrick Douglass, Harriet Tubman and described the Underground Railroad in great detail, including travel routes and how to read certain coded navigational patterns stitched in quilts. A bit shocked, I asked him, “how did you learn about all of this?” His answer was astonishing.
“From Assassin’s Creed 3”, he said with his chest pushed out full of pride. “You can fight for the Union Army during the Civil War in that game, and help free the enslaved people”. He continued, “I do missions for them all of the time. Whenever they call on me, I do all that I can to help. We all need help and every little bit counts.” He spoke with the resolve of an active abolitionist purposed with helping others in their greatest time of need. His response left me speechless and my assistant in tears.
As an avid gamer with roots in 80’s and 90’s video arcade culture (think “Street Fighter II” and “Blazing Star”), I wasn’t attracted to the action adventure shooter games that became popular with later generations. However, that day I bought a copy of “Assasin’s Creed 3” with a profound admiration bigger than the game itself.
My education continues.
—Reginald Bennett, Jr., M.A