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It started
out as a paper for Professor Kim Pearson’s W.E.B. DuBois’
class at The College of New Jersey. However, Nicolette Muse was
suffering from a case of writer’s block, and as she pondered
the assignment, she used her background as a music major to put
a creative spin on an otherwise generic paper assignment.
Brief History of W.E.B. DuBois
William Edward Burghardt DuBois, or W.E.B. DuBois as he is more
commonly known, was born on Feb. 23, 1868, in Great Barrington,
Mass. In a town where 5,000 people resided, only 25 of them were
black. DuBois suffered the effects of racism apparent in his community
resulting in a drastic shift in his demeanor to an introverted personality.
This led him to record his thoughts and ideas on racism and its
consequences using Great Barrington as his model. At age 15 he became
a correspondent for the New York Globe, and published editorials
and lectures on the development of his race. He attended Fisk University
in Nashville, Tenn. upon graduation on a scholarship where he received
his bachelor’s degree, and a year later, his master’s.
He studied in Berlin to earn his doctorate, and learned of the deep
racial tensions mounting everywhere, not just in Great Barrington.
DuBois began teaching and studying findings in sociology at colleges
around the country. His interest and research in black life regarding
areas such as urbanization, business, education, church, and crime
became the basis for further study on race relations. He went on
to publish his most popular book, “The Souls of Black Folk,”
and organize a movement to promote racial promotion among his race.
DuBois continued to write down and share his opinions in several
different mediums, and had a deep impact on studies and programs
involving the black race for years to come, until his death on Aug.
27, 1963.
The Assignment
The paper assignment was to discuss if DuBois’ work does or
does not depict our nation, using one’s major as an example.
Muse says, “I am a music major but I could not find a thing
to write my paper on. I then decided that the best thing for me
to do is perform. I decided to arrange some spirituals, and get
a group together to perform them.” She went on to add her
own opinions on DuBois, by writing an original piece incorporating
her views on DuBois’ impact on the country.
However, Muse could not do it alone. Given the assignment in advance,
she had a sufficient amount of time to find others that would be
willing to help in her endeavor. Muse knew several music majors
whose voices were suited for this project. Everyone she asked was
more than willing to help in such a unique collaboration. Muse organized
“The Sorrow Singers” to sing the arrangements of the
spirituals that are found accompanying DuBois’ poems at the
beginning of each chapter in his book, “The Souls of Black
Folk.” The poems in each chapter of DuBois’ book were
recited aloud, with the corresponding spiritual sung in the background
by “The Sorrow Singers.”
She recorded herself and her singers, and presented
it to the class. Muse had no idea that this project would snowball
into something bigger.
“Everyone was telling me how great we were and how good of
a job we did,” Muse said. “I couldn't believe it. I
guess I was too busy looking at the mistakes that had to be fixed
instead of the end result. Everyone was treating me like I just
won an award or something.” Pearson, her professor, then came
up with the idea of compiling the CD-ROM and explained it to Muse.
“The CD was not in any way my idea; Professor
Pearson put that idea together with the right people and got it
done. Everyone kept asking me (if ) I (was) excited about the CD
and I wasn't. I mean, I wasn't until I actually saw the CD and then
I was dumbfounded,” Muse recounts. “I couldn't believe
that anyone thought my project was that good to be on a learning
CD. I am still elated.”
The CD-ROM is available through a kit compiled by the Association
for the Study of African-American Life and History, which chose
this year to focus on the theme of “The Souls of Black Folk
Centennial Reflection.” This kit also offers two essays by
Pearson, as well as Muse’s CD-ROM. The kit’s goal is
to “invite an in-depth, critical examination and analysis
of the state of the African-American in America today.” It
consists of essays, articles, poems, and other interactive devices
organized into seven different chapters, united under the overall
theme.
Muse never imagined that a class assignment could
ever lead to this much. “I am truly thankful to Prof Pearson
and Dr. Dickinson [of the African American studies department at
TCNJ] for thinking that my project was worthy enough for the CD,”
she says. “They are the ones who did the work, I just had
fun.”
The CD-ROM is available in the package compiled by the ASALH, which
is available for purchase through their website, http://www.asalh.com/index.htm.
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