This hauntingly beautiful mask (available at Lindley Park’s fabulous homegrown eatery Sticks and Stones) inspired today’s post.

In 1899, James Weldon Johnson, in collaboration with his brother John, wrote a song that is popularly titled, THE NEGRO NATIONAL ANTHEM. You may know the song by the first five words (lift every voice and sing) of the first verse… ” Lift every voice and sing till earth and heaven ring, ring with the harmonies of Liberty; let our rejoicing rise high as the listening skies, let it resound loud as the rolling sea.”

To be sure, looking at the above mask inspires singing and reflection. Not even the stones weighing the facemask down can stop the singing. If the piece hasn’t already sold, we at Greensboro Daily Photo just may need to acquire it!