Final answer:
The statement that spirituals focus exclusively on individual concepts and concerns is false. Spirituals emerge from African American experiences of enslavement and were infused with Christian influences, often expressing communal hope and resistance, not solely individual concerns.
Step-by-step explanation:
True or false: the spirituals focus exclusively on individual concepts and concerns? This statement is false. The spirituals, deeply rooted in African American history and the Christian influence on enslaved Africans, exhibit a range of emerging cultural and religious ideas. The lyrics and themes of spirituals were heavily influenced by Biblical verses and Christian hymns, but they were uniquely interpreted and performed in a style influenced by African traditions, as described by historian Albert J. Raboteau. This style includes call-and-response patterns, syncopated rhythms, and body movements like hand-clapping and foot-stomping which were reflections of a communal African heritage. Moreover, the spirituals served a dual purpose: they provided emotional support and expressed covert messages of hope for emancipation and resistance against slavery.
In the face of oppression, spirituals provided a source of comfort and strength, often reflecting the collective aspirations for freedom, not just individual concerns. For example, songs that referenced the Exodus story of the Bible, such as "Roll, Jordan, Roll," expressed a shared desire for liberation and underscored the struggles and resilience of the Black community in the face of adversity. Thus, the spirituals were far from focusing exclusively on individual concepts and concerns; they were a powerful tool for sustaining the spirit of a community bound by the shared experience of enslavement and the quest for freedom.