Martin's Lament: Religion and Race in America

Only days before his assassination in 1968, Martin Luther King called 11 a.m. Sunday the most segregated hour in America. In the 90's, we're more segregated than when King preached. If we're not worshipping together, how can attitudes change? This documentary examines patterns of worship in several American churches: one has dual congregations worshipping in the same building; whites at 9:30, blacks at 11; another is a mostly white institution which has welcomed a black couple. Whites attending a black church are interviewed and finally, a fully integrated church is shown. No judgments are made, no preferences are indicated, and all viewpoints are aired. Blacks express some resentment of the "tyranny of the white Jesus" and fear losing the important historical identity of the black church. On the other hand, whites haven't fully acknowledged the persistence of racism (defined here as "prejudice plus power.") Although racism isn't checked at the church door, the video suggests that good will and honest dialogue can go far in achieving justice and righteousness. The video provides excerpts from King's speeches as a lament and counterpoint to the current sad state of the civil rights movement. Essentially optimistic, scrupulously fair-minded and probing, this is an excellent video for church and school libraries and discussion groups. Highly recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (S. Rees)