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Rethinking the Black Church: A Journey into the Heart of the Civil Rights Movement

Hank Mitchell

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Published in Black Church In The Sixties

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Black Church in the Sixties

by Hart M. Nelsen

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2173 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	182 pages

In the Struggle for Racial Justice, the Black Church Stood as a Beacon of Hope and Resistance

The Black Church in the Sixties: A History and Legacy

Black Church In The Sixties Book Cover Black Church In The Sixties

In the recent years, the Black Church has been under increasing scrutiny. Some see it as a force for good, a catalyst for social change. Others view it as a tool of oppression, a perpetuator of inequality.

But what is the true story of the Black Church? What role did it play in the Civil Rights Movement? And what is its legacy today?

In his groundbreaking new book, Black Church in the Sixties, historian Randall K. Burkett explores the complex and multifaceted relationship between the Black Church and the Civil Rights Movement. Drawing on extensive research, Burkett argues that the Black Church was not merely a passive bystander in the struggle for racial justice. Rather, it was a central player, providing essential support and leadership.

Burkett shows how the Black Church provided a safe haven for Civil Rights activists, offering them a place to meet, organize, and strategize. It also provided spiritual and emotional support, helping activists to stay strong in the face of adversity. And, in some cases, the Black Church even provided physical protection, shielding activists from violence.

But the Black Church's role in the Civil Rights Movement was not without its challenges. Some Black Church leaders were reluctant to get involved in the struggle, fearing that it would alienate white members or lead to violence. Others were more supportive, but they often had to balance their commitment to the Civil Rights Movement with their responsibilities to their congregations.

Despite these challenges, the Black Church played a vital role in the Civil Rights Movement. It was a source of strength and support for activists, and it helped to create a sense of community and solidarity among African Americans. The Black Church also helped to shape the goals and strategies of the Movement, and it played a key role in the passage oflandmark civil rights legislation.

In Black Church in the Sixties, Randall K. Burkett provides a fresh and insightful look at the role of the Black Church in the Civil Rights Movement. This book is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the history of the Civil Rights Movement, and it is a valuable resource for anyone who is interested in the role of religion in social change.