Amazing Grace

By Diamunn Chism

North Harris students Dejia Edison (left) and Diamunn Chism (right) with performer Grace Williamson (center)

Music is an form in which you may say whatever you want or express exactly how you feel. Music is not an illusion, but a conclusion to a problem. In era of slavery, African Americans used songs and music to demonstrate what they felt, what they went through, and most importantly who they believed in. 
 

I visited the 8thAnnual African American Studies Symposium at UTSA and it was absolutely amazing. Out of all of the presentations and panels, there was one participant who simply caught my eye by the name of Grace Williamson.  She caught my attention not because she is an African American woman, but because sang the famous Christian song “Amazing Grace” and it was like everyone could honesty understand and feel what she was feeling. This song talks about someone who basically cannot do anything with God. 

The power of the famous song is not about the music itself, but God’s grace and how important and powerful he is in this song. According to my belief, God gave us eternal life and there is nothing better than that, yet we fail to deserve it.  

I can see how astonishing the song is and the fact that Williamson performed the song as part of the symposium. Many of the visitors may not have understood the meaning of this famous song, but it was still moving to see the impact Williamson’s voice had on everyone in the room. This song made me realize how much of an impact it had on me.

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Diamunn Chism is currently a first year Associate of Arts student at Lone Star Community College – North Harris. After her first year at North Harris, she plans to transfer to Stephen F. Austin University where she will study Business and Fine Arts to obtain both Bachelor’s degrees.