Doctor King’s sermon this week was very affecting in that his words resonated with his audience not only in a social sense, but in a religious sense. I chose to focus on this sermon as I believe that the spoken word, with its many fluctuations in pitch and volume can often be much more effective than words on a page. This is explicitly present in Dr. King’s sermon, as his experience with speeches and sermons given in the context of being a reverend allowed him to provide powerful and moving speeches just as he did in the context of something so personal and moving as religion.Doctor King’s sermon this week was very affecting in that his words resonated with his audience not only in a social sense, but in a religious sense. I chose to focus on this sermon as I believe that the spoken word, with its many fluctuations in pitch and volume can often be much more effective than words on a page. This is explicitly present in Dr. King’s sermon, as his experience with speeches and sermons given in the context of being a reverend allowed him to provide powerful and moving speeches just as he did in the context of something so personal and moving as religion.

The speech “But If Not” is particularly pertinent to this course, and the readings this week in particular, because it is obvious to see how King weaves his religion within the context of the Civil Rights Movement. King begins the speech as a pastor might- focusing first on the experiences of Shadrach, Meschach, and Abednego, and how these biblical figures have inspired the idea of civil disobedience in the name of a higher power. Quickly thereafter, King relates this to the present struggle of the Civil Rights Movement, and the struggle of modern day civil disobedience. Both contexts share sensibilities– paraphrasing the reverend, they eschew one king in the service of The King. In the context of civil rights, it is rejecting the ideology of greater society for what one believes is true and right.

I would compare the emotional impact of this speech to that of Malcolm X, who also gave greatly impassioned speeches- but in a way which was wholly dissimilar to the didactic lessons of King.

In this bad quality but well fitting video,

It sums up the life and mission of Mahalia Jackson. Sometimes you just know you’re destined to do something and Mahalia knew she was destined to sing for God. One quote I loved from this reading is when she states ” How can I sing songs for white people to understand when I’m colored myself?” because at the moment she wanted to sing, but she was told that she would not appeal to their understanding, but that’s when she knew that she did not need to sing for them to understand but sing for them to understand her and the voice of other black people that they shall overcome someday.

It’s interesting how the author makes it clear the National Baptist Convention, despite mostly agreeing with each other, doesn’t want to restrict how other members may feel about civil rights issues or how they want to achieve them. They made a point of adopting a philosophy they won’t use to control how individuals in their Convention act. This section also addresses the issue of racial “togetherness” being mistaken as participating in segregation. Segregation is the forced separation by an oppressor, and this racial togetherness is not that, but many members who (rightfully) hate segregation will call them by the same name. Their same hatred of segregation also leads them to disregard any important achievements under that system. These achievements shouldn’t be forgotten; it’s not their fault that segregation existed, and they still deserve to be recognized for what they fought for.

The reading also addresses that, after a certain point, you cannot rely on your oppressor to help you. If, after years, your oppressors mistreat you and refuse to listen to you, it falls on you to change the system against the will of the oppressors who run that system. The oppressors are not likely to change these laws or restrictions on their own.

The National Baptist Convention also teaches their members about economics and production so that they can support themselves instead of relying on white people to employ them. It argues that ending segregation just to rely on an oppressor to employ you and pay you shouldn’t be the end goal, and it isn’t why people should be protesting. They need to do more for each other instead and begin owning their own means of production in order to truly be equal.

Although it doesn’t have very much to do with the chapter I decided to my blog post on Historical Black Colleges and Universities, better known as HBCU’s. In Howard Thurman’s biography they mentioned how he studied at Morehouse college in 1919 and later came back to teach at his alma mater as well as Spellman college (their sister school). Most HBCUs were established after the American Civil War, often with the assistance of northern United States religious missionary organizations. The oldest HBCU in the United States, Cheyney was founded in 1837. In the beginning, the school was known as the Institute for Colored Youth. In 1914, it was renamed the Cheyney Training School for Teachers. That same year, it became an institution of higher learning and awarded its first degree. In those 77 years between its inception and its formalization as a university, 97 other historically black colleges and universities had been founded. HBCU’s gave African American’s a chance at a furthering their education on a more serious level. Getting them started was a challenge because at the time funding was nonexistent and maintaining their existence was even more difficult but somehow they managed to do so. However, seeing how African Americans were not accepted into Public White Institutions (PWI’s) based off of the color of their skin and not on academic ability my ancestors had to create a way for our culture to continue our education. They made it possible for me to be studying at this university and for that I am grateful.

The Civil Rights Movement was at the center of America in the 50’s and 60’s/ This movement significantly helped mold and shape modern black christianity. Christianity was at the forefront of the movement and some of the ideologies from the bible and Richard Gregg and Ghandi helped Martin Luther King Jr. keep his peace. Because of these two things (christianity and the movement), they influenced each other so much that it even reflected onto gospel music. The song, “We Shall Overcome,” is a prime example of this. I grew up hearing this song a lot, especially during black history month in February. Here is a video of Mahalia Jackson singing “We Shall Overcome.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTyKJjj2oC0

All of us went through most of our middle school and high school years having heard of the legend that has become Martin Luther King Jr. Fun fact, as the reading of Harvey had indicated, King did come from a line of preaches in his family, based on an essay that I had to write a couple of years ago, Luther in King’s name was actually a direct link to the first Martian Luther. One thing that I very much enjoyed about this weeks reading was getting to read Dr. King’s letter from jail, which is where the infamous quote,“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”, which I personally had no idea came from that letter. Also, I found surprising the reading had mentioned that at the start of career, Dr. King was hesitant to fully accept the stance of nonviolence because many at the time owned guns, and Dr. King feared for the safety of himself and his family members. To me, this reading was still somewhat heavy to get through. For personally, I find it very hard when children become targets in things they may not understood or even been aware at the time. Also, I continue to hold respect for Dr. King, because although it was not mentioned in the readings, apart from death-threats over the phone, there was also a famous incident where a cross was set out on King’s lawn, and set on fire, which really troubled me. Had I ever been forced to walk a mile in his shoes, I do not think I would be able to be so composed as much as King was during those times. I’m glad that sermon had from Dr. King, was for once, not “I Have A Dream.” The Civil Rights Movement, had much more then meets the eye, and to me, I find this time in history will have a dark shadow, however, I think movement truly was the beginning for true change throughout the world. Without this movement, I believe the world we know today would have never existed.

Ps. Because some of these readings me sad, I will share something that always makes me laugh that feature two prominent individuals we discussed in the readings for this week. Ah, YouTube.

I have to begin by saying that Joseph H. Jackson reminded me quite a bit of Booker T. Washington. Although I can’t say that their methods were 100% the same, the ” we must not rely on white people,” and “we must become self-sufficient,” aspects were there.

Second, I just realized that although Martin Luther King Jr. was a minister, you barely hear anything about how his religious views influenced his activism, or him as a minister in general. His chapter in Sernett was interesting to read for this reason. It was also interesting because you can feel Luther’s charisma even through his writings. He tore those 8 people down in a way that I feel would sway anyone to his side. I can definitely see him in the pulpit.

In Chapter 53 of Sernett, Joseph H. Jackson recounts a speech that was given at the Annual Address of 1962. This speech declares that the “American Negro today faces the greatest crisis of his history since the days of reconstruction.” The speaker goes on to say that since segregation has been abolished, the African American community is in danger of falling apart. He says that a desire to integrate will cause African Americans to lose their sense of community and “racial togetherness.” I don’t necessarily agree with this sentiment. Integration, while obviously a positive policy that allowed African Americans to become equal members of society, is not a policy that I believe would cause African Americans to lose their sense of community. I can’t think of any large scale examples of integration causing an African American community to fall apart. African Americans still had the bonds of their history and the mistreatment that they had overcome, and still had to overcome. Even though segregation was abolished, African Americans still faced racism and mistreatment from many white members of society, which still continues to this day. They were also bonded through their culture and religion, which I don’t believe that many would just abandon in an attempt to integrate. Though there may be some who might do this, I don’t believe that it would happen on a large scale, and certainly not on a large enough scale that an entire community could be disbanded.

This week’s readings included a particularly eloquent and fascinating writing by Martin Luther King Jr. In this chapter, Martin Luther King Jr. responds to an analysis made by another group of individuals. He speaks clearly and efficiently answers the questions or elaborates on the topics he means to discuss. One particularly interesting passage is his reasoning for coming to protest in Birmingham. He writes, “But more basically, I am in Birmingham because injustice is here… Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly…” (Sernett 520). King does not appear to grow angry at the analysis to which he is responding, instead answering calmly and thoroughly. He explains that he is there not as a invasion of privacy or an imposition, but because he is there to stop the injustice. I cannot imagine how must patience and strength it must have required of him, to carry on despite all of his opposition. As he says, “If I sought to answer all the criticisms that cross my desk, my secretaries would have little time for anything other than such correspondence in the course of the day, and I would have no time for constructive work.” (Sernett 519-520). I always struggle, in the face of criticism, to carry on with a positive attitude and focus on improving. Martin Luther King Jr. faced unimaginable amounts of criticism and opposition and managed to keep striving for a better future, which I find incredibly inspiring.

Another quote I found eye-catching was the quote, “As in so many past experiences, our hopes had been blasted, and the shadow of deep disappointment settled upon us.” (Sernett 521). I think many people have had the some occurrence of false hope, in which a bit of hope or joy was offered, then rescinded. I think everyone can empathize then to a certain degree, but few can truly understand what this moment must have been like. To have made progress, or at least to think that progress had been made, on so important an issue then to have it be stolen from you shortly after must be so heart-breaking, and I cannot imagine the courage and perseverance it must have taken each person involved in the struggle to make a change to carry on and continue to pursue justice.

I most enjoyed the sermon out of all of the assignments today because it speaks to today as well. I believe that everything MLK Jr said in that sermon still applies today, and it was actually very uplifting to hear. The idea of civil disobedience today is shunned, and those who practice it are seen as a threat to the country. I have no doubt that the people in the civil rights movement were seen as a threat as well back in their time. Still, if they could do it then, we can do it now. The sermon gives me hope, because it reminds me of speeches and papers I’ve heard and read from modern times, uplifting modern protesters.