How did contemporary gospel help build community in America in 1970?
In this dissertation, I'm going to be answering the question how contemporary gospel helped build community in America in 1970. I will argue that it did help build community at that time. Throughout 1970, there were massive race issues, many young non-white people were prejudiced against them. Because of this issues, America was divided and segregated by the colour of their skins which society suggests if you were a white young man you was the dominant race and if you were black you were below. gospel help brings unity to people at that time of depression and cruelty. it was used to keep people within the faith that God will look after them in rough times and in good time. (Weisenfeld, 2015)
the first to mention is the facts on Gospel music. It's mainly made up with choirs, church organ, piano, drum kit, bass guitar. electric guitar and lead vocals. people who are involved with the choir wear robe that shows what role they play in the church. the technology used in gospel music are amps for bass guitar and electric guitar electric piano(some churches).Gospel is mostly heard in church on YouTube and on church's website. gospel, when listening to gospel in church it takes about an hour until they finish and go into the service. when listing to it online its takes normally 3 to 4 minutes. with gospel it a way of connecting with God in spirit and also depends on the tempo of the song. If it a slow tempo song it refreshes the mind, heart and spirit and also calms downs upset spirits. if its upbeat It fills the body with joy and excitement.The main topic that gospel musicians focus their lyrics on is always towards God and how he's great and how he does wonder in people's life and also how he has change one's life. Gospel music was rooted in African American culture with strong use of harmony's for only one propose that all gospel musician embeds in their music which is to praise and worship God.
the first to mention is the facts on Gospel music. It's mainly made up with choirs, church organ, piano, drum kit, bass guitar. electric guitar and lead vocals. people who are involved with the choir wear robe that shows what role they play in the church. the technology used in gospel music are amps for bass guitar and electric guitar electric piano(some churches).Gospel is mostly heard in church on YouTube and on church's website. gospel, when listening to gospel in church it takes about an hour until they finish and go into the service. when listing to it online its takes normally 3 to 4 minutes. with gospel it a way of connecting with God in spirit and also depends on the tempo of the song. If it a slow tempo song it refreshes the mind, heart and spirit and also calms downs upset spirits. if its upbeat It fills the body with joy and excitement.The main topic that gospel musicians focus their lyrics on is always towards God and how he's great and how he does wonder in people's life and also how he has change one's life. Gospel music was rooted in African American culture with strong use of harmony's for only one propose that all gospel musician embeds in their music which is to praise and worship God.
This is a conversation I had with my dad regarding the matters at that time including Martin Luther King Jr, black people and gospel music in 1970.He said that "gospel was a way of hope towards black people after the death of Martin Luther King since there was no one left to turn to for hope accept God and that started to reach the heart of people around that time." with this quote I agree with him. In 1968 after the death of Martin Luther King Jr black people was mourning the death of a great leader and a symbol of hope. instead of giving up, they found hope within God and gospel music. They still had the mindset that one day they'll be free and still was protesting by marching and singing hymns which then began to touch the heart of others and started to change people's view towards the way they were treated. after seeing the commitment to keep fighting for freedom more and more people that came from white culture started to want change within their community and walked side by side with black people to support their fight against the oppression.
Martin Luther King when he was alive used the power of gospel music to not only give hope to his fellow followers but also to straighten their spirit and their faith in the Lord. he also uses gospel for protest as well which got people to think if what was going on in their community was really right and what should be done about it. The use of gospel music brought people closer at that time and help build relationship and community with not only black people but also with white who couldn't stand the senseless operation throughout America. Gospel's role for the fight for freedom was to keep the hearts of black people, who we're fighting for change, hopeful and positive which also links to the way Martin Luther King Jr tough his followers to fight for freedom in a non-violent manna. with this teaching, it highlighted that how gospel is a peaceful weapon if used correctly. Another use that made gospel music a great use at that time was a woman at that called Mahalia Jackson. She was named as the most powerful black women back then which also showed of gospel help build also female community by getting people from different gender doing different roles like a choir.
The culture of gospel music is of worship and respect towards God and also respect to others within the church. Gospel also helps build community by bringing people back each week to one place for a single purpose which is to praise and worship God. Gospel music culture used a lot of call and response which help in repetitive protests of God helping them and keeping them safe in the world.
