Understanding the historical construction (and institutionalization) of oppression through the manipulation of fear and hatred, we may take a page from Jesus’ “working paper” to employ love as the radical force of liberation. Thurman’s exploration of “what the teachings of Jesus have to say to those who stand…with their backs against the wall” provided a theological foundation for the Civil Rights Movement. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1949.(Paperback reprint, Boston: Beacon Press, 1976.) Thurman offers both history and interpretation of these powerful songs of protest, inspiration and affirmation. These two volumes, reissued under one cover, grew from lectures given at Morehouse (1929-30) and Harvard (Ingersoll Lecture – 1947) addressing the role of the traditional Spirituals in the African American resistance to slavery and oppression. (Deep River was first privately published in 1945.) Deep River and The Negro Spiritual Speaks of Life and Death.Richmond, IN: Friends United Press, 1975. It is used with permission and may be reproduced if the following acknowledgement is included: Liza Rankow for use in her classes on Howard Thurman. The annotated bibliography below was prepared by Dr.
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