From Dr. Henry Louis Gates, The Black Church: This Is Our Story, This Is Our Song, has rightfully been getting all the praise since the two-part series premiere on February 16 and 17. We all got an insightful and honest look at the history of the Black Church in America—from its inception to current day. Many viewers have asked about the book, where and how to watch and share the film, and of course, the music!
OETA has you covered with a playlist to listen to, the full series to watch, and an educational guide to learn.
LISTEN: A GUIDED PLAYLIST
We learn a lot about the influence of music in The Black Church: This Is Our Story, This Is Our Song. Quite frankly, the Black Church would not be what it is without music. The Word expressed through gospel music is an integral part of how the Black Church has expressed beliefs, ministered, and showed progression through the years.
During the Civil Rights era, the gospel was healing, functioning as repeated psalms to embolden strength through Jim Crow. Modern-day gospel music is multifarious, influenced by different music genres and used to explain one’s relationship with Christ.
From spirituals to gospel, freedom songs to present (e.g. Gospel hiphop), this series is musicology of all the above. Regardless of the genre or era, the songs have one theme, as does the church: to instill hope.
Open the GUIDED PLAYLIST and follow along here for further insights.
WATCH
If you missed the on-air premiere of The Black Church: This Is Our Story, This Is Our Song, you can now stream both parts for free on the PBS Video app, or, right here:
EPISODE ONE
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. explores the roots of African American religion beginning with the trans-Atlantic slave trade and the extraordinary ways enslaved Africans preserved and adapted their faith practices from the brutality of slavery to emancipation.
EPISODE TWO
Discover how the Black church expanded its reach to address social inequality and minister to those in need, from the Jim Crow South to the heroic phase of the civil rights movement and the Black church’s role in the present.
LEARN
The Black Church Education Guide serves as an educational overview of The Black Church: This Is Our Story, This Is Our Song, and includes lesson plan excerpts, associated discussion questions, historical background information, and resources on anti-bias curriculum. This is aimed at instructors at the middle and high school levels.
The lessons explore key historical events from the series focusing on history, culture, civil rights, gender, race and leadership and are designed to support both in-person classroom and virtual learning.
Download The Black Church Education Guide HERE.