A method of communication, a spiritual connection, or a rally to faith are all ways to describe the African American oratory tradition embodied by black preachers over time. Some have even defined the lively and spirited delivery of the black sermon as an art form. This special one hour documentary, Black Preachers, captures the words and vocal styles African Americans have used at the pulpit throughout U.S. history. Rooting the sermon in the oral traditions developed under slavery, this program follows prominent black preachers from the dark days of slavery through the struggles of the Civil Rights Movement.

Throughout this compelling program, historians and black leaders discuss the central role of the black ministers in uniting communities of faith, sparking mass movements, and inspiring Americans of all races and backgrounds with their fiery and dramatic sermons. Black Preachers concentrates on several key preachers including the slave minister John Jasper, Father Divine of Harlem, and the contemporary politician Jesse Jackson. The role of these ministers in challenging racism and moving their congregations to become politically engaged highlights the important role of the church in organizing African American communities throughout U.S. history. Most Americans are probably most familiar with Martin Luther King, Jr.’s ingenious use of the sermon; through watching this program they will learn how Dr. King’s brilliant style was connected to a larger historical legacy which was centuries in the making. Students will explore key places and turning points in African American history and will be riveted by the footage and performances of black preachers in action. This program is an excellent resource for Black History Month activities and events. Clips of this program could be featured together with other programming dedicated to celebrating the lives and contributions of African Americans in order to introduce students to the full diversity of African American history and culture. Curriculum Links: Black Preachers would be useful for classes on American history, American culture, religion and social studies. It is appropriate for middle school and high school students. It fulfills the following standards as outlined by the National Council for History Education: Values, Beliefs, Political Ideas and Institutions, and Patterns of Social and Political Interaction. This program is an excellent resource for programs, events, and activities related to Black History Month.

• delusion
• dramatic
• emancipate
• oratory
• profit
• segregation
• trifled
• vivid

1. Why was Reverend John Jasper such a popular preacher in both black and white communities?

2. What were some of the survival techniques developed under slavery? How did black preachers contribute to the psychological survival of slaves?

3. Why do you think Father Divine was so enormously popular? What was going on in Harlem during those years that might have given his message particular appeal?

4. What other kinds of support did Father Divine provide his community other than the spiritual inspiration of his sermons?

5. Why was Father Divine seen as such a threat by the government? What role does fear play in the typical sermon?

6. What role did the church play in the Civil Rights Movement? Do you think the Civil Rights Movement would have happened without the strength of churches?

7. Why did Jesse Jackson decide to become a minister rather than a lawyer?

8. What role does fear play in the typical sermon? What role did hope play?

9. Why do you think the words and skills of black ministers have inspired communities to work for change throughout history?

10. Which of these preachers did you find most compelling? Why?

1. This program highlights the contributions of many black preachers, all of whom were men. However, black women have delivered sermons and inspired faith-based communities as well. At the library or using the Internet, research the role of black women in the church and locate a black female preacher you find interesting. Write a short essay of 1-2 pages describing the person you chose, making sure to include their location, their historical context, and the makeup of their congregations or audiences.

2. Closely related to the African American church sermon is the Negro spiritual. These songs were developed during slavery, were popular throughout the Civil Rights Movement and continued to be performed today. As protest songs with a spiritual element, spirituals can be either somber or rousing. At the library, using the Internet, or consulting the music collection of your family, locate a spiritual in either written or audio form. Read the words or listen closely to them. In a short essay, define the spiritual and then describe the song or verse you have chosen. You may also recite or play the spiritual for your larger class or group.

3. African American speeches are additional oratory forms which draw on the tradition of the black sermon. Perhaps the most well-known speech which expresses this relationship is Martin Luther King Jr.’s I Have a Dream speech. However, this is only one of many speeches written and recited by Dr. King. At the library or using the Internet, locate another one of Dr. King’s speeches or an excerpt from one of the longer ones. Read and think closely about the speech. What does Dr. King say about the role of faith in God in the Civil Rights Movement and in history? Write a short essay describing the speech and its connection to the tradition of African American preachers discussed in the program.

4. This program focuses on several key black ministers who were important in the history of the African American church. Conduct your own research at the library or using the Internet to learn more about one of the preachers in the program. On a piece of construction paper or poster-board, create a mini-biography of the preacher you chose. Include images, photos, and quotes of and by your chosen individual are to decorate your mini-biographies. Share these projects with your class or group.

Primary Sources

• Cone, James H. Risks of Faith: The Emergence of a Black Theology of Liberation, 1968-1998 (Beacon Press, 2000).
• Johnson, James Weldon. God's Trombones: Seven Negro Sermons in Verse (Penguin Books, 1990).
• Lischer, Richard. The Preacher King: Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Word That Moved America (Oxford University Press, 1996).
• Watts, Jill. God, Harlem U.S.A.: The Father Divine Story (University of California Press, 1995).
• A website with helpful background information on Father Divine: http://www.americanreligion.org/cultwtch/frdivine.html
• An excellent site from the Library of Congress on the Civil Rights Movement: http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/aaohtml/exhibit/aopart9.html
• A biography and resources on Revered John Jasper: http://www.library.vcu.edu/jbc/speccoll/vbha/6th4.html

Air Dates

• February 05, 2005