Values in protest songs

After reading all of the protest songs i am able to point out different values that are present in them. When African Americans used to see protest songs while working it was usually to help pass the time away and also try to make the best out of the situation they had. This shows the value of what life meant to them. Even though they had a horrible situation and they really couldn't do much about it they still tried to make the best out of it. I think that shows a great deal of value for their lives because if they didn't care or have value for their life then they could have just not of worked or ran away or just not even care. For example, in "We Shall "Overcome" they sing about how some day they will all overcome everything they are going through and might actually be thought of as equal. They talk about how they will walk hand to hand which is say that segregation will be no more and they will finally be free. I think this also shows a lot of value towards life because when they were slaves they still didn't want to take the place of whites and beat up on the whites, but rather just become equal with everyone and have peace. This I think shows a great deal of respect and values to people and life. This is what i got from the reading of the songs and what values were taking place.