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.

For this week’s reading, the chapter about Mahalia Jackson resonated with me the most. I enjoyed how passionate she was about the music of her faith. She embodied the music itself and fused it with the roots of her culture which was very interesting to me. In terms of African American music and religion culture, she influenced and paved the way for many musicians we see today, Aretha Franklin being an example. On a personal note, many churches that I grew up in used Mahalia Jackson’s music style as the basis for praise and worship sessions. We also see Jackson’s influence in movies such as Disney’s “The Princess and the Frog”. Another concept I enjoyed while reading this chapter was the versatility of brass bands. From block parties to funerals, these bands were the heart and soul of these functions.

In the Mahalia Jackson chapter, music was relevant. She discussed how during protests they sang spiritual hymns. The freedom songs allowed the civil rights activists to spread their word out in a more memorable way. Freedom songs really did inspire people. When people began to sing spiritual music during boycotts and sit-ins, it shows how deeply rooted freedom songs are. On page 546 of Sernett’s book, Jackson states that King wanted her to sing “I Been ‘Buked and I Been Scorned.” When she sings the song she gets full with joy and happy about how much progress had been made. There is something about slave songs, that are typically religious that goes along with movements. Both deal with struggles and what people need to overcome.

Here is a video of Martin Luther King Jr. and Mahalia Jackson: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odHqG1rA4M8

While reading Chappell’s works, Johnnie Carr reminds me of what my mother’s idea of a “model Christian” would be. Carr’s constant faith and thankfulness for the Lord is what I feel should be emphasized in every Christian church, no matter the detonation. The entire idea of Christianity roots back to the grade of God more than anything else. Carr wanted her actions to be portrayed as God’s doing not her. Meaning that her faithfulness is what better her situations. As I was reading, my brain was playing various songs by the Gospel artist Donnie McClurkin. When I was younger, my mother only played gospel music. It’s the underlying factor my religious foundation, and I did not realize that until this reading. My only connections to Christianity are through music. Inspired by Chappell, I have one of my favorite gospel songs on repeat.