Chavonn Williams Shen writes "Revelations and Blackness: Making the Truth Known."

**Revelations and Blackness: Making the Truth Known**

**Chavonn Williams Shen**

Day 1 of 5:

After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice:
”Salvation belongs to our God,
who sits on the throne,
and to the Lamb.”
All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying:
‘Amen!
Praise and glory
and wisdom and thanks and honor
and power and strength
be to our God for ever and ever.
Amen!”
-Revelations 7:9-12

I come from the spiritual tradition of a Black Baptist church. I remember as a little kid how my mom got ready with her fancy hats and how my dad did me and my sister’s hair with matching barrettes. My parents, who spent at least an hour getting me, my sister, and themselves ready, also did 60 hour work weeks to make ends meet. But my mom still woke us up super early so that we could go to church.

These church services were a break from an otherwise grueling work week. My parents felt strongly that no matter how many hours you worked, no matter how tired you are, your week wouldn’t be right unless you ‘get yourself some church.’ They also believed church wasn’t church without music.

And a huge part of my church of origin was singing slave spirituals as a part of worship, as that’s what the elders grew up with and their elders grew up with.

These songs, to me, always felt like some kind of spiritual DNA—a way for God to remind me through the music of my ancestors who I am and what I’m capable of.

Listen: "All God's Children Got Shoes"

Reflect/Journal: What songs are a part of your lineage? This could be through your family of origin or chosen family. What songs do you want to pass on to future generations?

Day 1 of 5:

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