The current protest movement against police abuse was not church-based or centered at its inception. It was the righteous indignation of a disenfranchised people in an inner-city culture that was the genesis. These people reject the “old guard” and elements of the stereotypical Black preacher and church. They are not singing ‘”We Shall Overcome.” Rolling out asked a question of several Black intellectuals regarding the current protest movement:
The young black un-churched in the movement versus the churched Black youth of the 1960s. Where is the Black church? Can this movement succeed without God at the forefront?
No. But God’s way of using these young people will be quite different I feel. Often, the situation determines the moment. The “Church as Social Agency”, the area of study for my doctorate must be a part. God will use the utility of the Church and both the availability and ability of His Children. They will not be mutually exclusive.
–Rt. Rev. Vernon Keith Jones, pastor and presiding prelate, Cross Trainer’s Ministries
We need a leader, and because of the two-faced hypocrisy in the church –preachers saying one thing and doing another; saying they will help and don’t; putting money before people. The youth have lost trust! Without trust you have nothing.
-Pastor Vizion Jones, Atlanta community leader
I think the younger generation is aware of the Lord as it has been taught to them by their parents of the 60’s but I don’t think the younger generation has a relationship with God. God is a spiritual father and guide; He is not a genie in a bottle sent to grant wishes. He will fortify the believer’s soul but the “work” still has to be done by the person; and I think that lack of work ethic gap is where we see a divide in faith and other areas between the two generations you mentioned. The bible says faith without works is dead. The generation of the 60’s had a stronger work ethic and thus their faith was stronger. This “instant” generation has a much weaker work ethic which has the simultaneous affect of wakening their faith. There are definitely other factors but that is one of my view points.
-Uzoma Okoro, director, film producer
This question requires a guarded response. I think we are witnessing an un-churched movement, along with, and sometimes in conflict with the more traditional churched movement. Remember, hip-hop is the first musical movement that did NOT come out of the church. Blues, gospel, R&B, Soul, etc., all came out of the church. Hip-hop is the first to gain entry into the church. Therefore, protest and resistance look and sound different from what once was. My problem with what’s passing as protest seems to have no clear objectives, goals, or endgame. All need to see Selma the movie, for it clearly depicts an organized, strategic movement with clear cut goals and objectives. I believe the Black church remains the only institution independent enough of outside influence from which to organize and galvanize a strategic movement. Problem — the Black Church has morphed into multi-headed creature with different appeals, styles, and ego-driven agendas.
-Dr. Timothy Tee Boddie, Director of the MACE degree program at Shaw University Divinity School (MACE – Master of Arts in Christian Education.)
I don’t see success if the movement ignores the vast numbers of churched Black youths who are in HBCUs, working jobs around the country, and inclined toward community service and voluntarism. A secular based movement can have some success as a multi racial movement but it will never have deep roots. But, perhaps that is not its goal. The goal is to achieve policy change. The longer-term change comes with reformed attitudes and values and that’s where I think the element of morality and faith have greater efficacy.
-Dr. Robert Franklin, president emeritus, Morehouse College
