Black Churches in America’s Race Pickle
2d & 4th Saturdays each month, by 9 a.m. East Coast US time. Unrebutted facts about US racism, shown in The 1619 Project book ( 2021). For, a common pattern of racism existed in the early US colonial activity in Viet Nam and in US society.[i]
1st & 3rd Saturdays each month, by 9 a.m. East Coast US time. These editions focus on the real reason for the 1954–75 US-Viet Nam War.
Prior issues may be viewed at https://briandroesch.substack.com/
Click “See all” to view the earliest issues.
Cites for some facts are in Roesch, B. (2021). Corporate Tsunami in Countryside Paradise: 1875–1900 Origin of US War in Viet Nam, First Edition Revised. See briandroesch.com
Black Churches in America’s Race Pickle
A variety of traditions developed in Black churches in response to the 400 years of serious discrimination in the US since 1619. These church traditions, which the 1619 Project book identifies, include worship, aid, social uplift, liberation, pragmatism, politics, protection, righteous anger, and nationalism. In the mix of these traditions in many Black churches, music is part of spirited, joyful services .[ii]
A video of a “Georgia Mass Choir” gives a view into some features of worship services in Black churches, which often appear more lively than in traditional white churches. Although made for broadcast, this video shows a service that includes songs in gospel rhythms, worshipper participation during songs, and the preacher asking for witnesses and calling on worshippers.
"Sunday Morning Medley" - Georgia Mass Choir
4,518,656 views, Youtube. malacomg Verified 634K subscribers
In the 1960s, some violent white racism still struck, despite federal civil rights laws. This challenged the non-violent message of Jesus, especially for the Black church. But peaceful demonstrations, sit-ins, and voter registration drives still occurred under the examples of Nobel prize-winning Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr and Mohandas Gandhi. But others, including the Black Panther Party, advocated self defense. Addressing this dilemma, a Black clergy group took out a July 31, 1966 full-page ad in the NYT:[iii]
“The fundamental distortion facing us in the controversy about “black power” is rooted in a gross imbalance of power and conscience between Negroes and white Americans.”
Through the distortions from white discrimination, such as a 10 to 1 wealth advantage for white families on the average, the tradition of nonviolence remained strong in Black churches. Outside of church services, another video shows, the spirit of goodness and joy in music also carries on.
Sweetest song I know. 0:18–2:53
Will racial integration ever change the more sedate worship services in some white churches? Whoopi Goldberg, Sandy Duncan, and a recalcitrant Mother Superior think so.
Oh Maria - Sister Act - Whoopi Goldberg | HD | lyrics Youtube)
Horsti
[i] Hannah-Jones, N., Roper, Caitlin, Silverman, Ilena, Silverstein, Jake, & New York Times Company. (2021). The 1619 Project: A new origin story (First ed.). New York: One World.
[ii] Hannah-Jones, N., The 1619 Project: A new origin story, (pp. 339, 345)
[iii] Theological dilemma, Black clergy NYT ad 1966. Hannah-Jones, N., The 1619 Project: A new origin story, (pp. 349–50).