Author(s)
Costley, Emily K., '14Keywords
Social HistoryAfrican American Studies
United States History
Religion
History
History of Christianity
Race, Ethnicity and post-Colonial Studies
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http://cupola.gettysburg.edu/celebration/2014/Panels/43Abstract
This presentation focuses on the impact of the black church on the Civil Rights Movement. The black church provided an integral support system to African American communities. The importance of the role of the black church cannot be overstated—it not only provided the necessary infrastructure to effectively organize, but also created a “cultural blueprint for civic life.” This is to say, the black church fostered strength within African American communities that was translated into political action toward racial equality. I assert that the Brown v. Board of Education ruling in 1954 and the Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1955 were the two major catalysts of the Civil Rights Movement. While the growth that took place during the Civil Rights Movement is something to be celebrated, progress has since plateaued. This plateau has occurred in concurrence with a decline in church culture and involvement. Race relations in the United States are still a major issue and need to be actively confronted. Using two southern, multiracial churches in Decatur, Georgia as examples—Oakhurst Presbyterian Church and Oakhurst Baptist Church—I posit that church communities can still effectively confront racial equality and should take the initiative to do so.Date
2014-05-03Type
textIdentifier
oai:cupola.gettysburg.edu:celebration-1102http://cupola.gettysburg.edu/celebration/2014/Panels/43