Church Leaders Scrutinize the Media on Black Culture
Alumni and church leaders were grounded in their identity and role as a prophetic voice of truth for the African American community at Howard University School of Divinity's 89th Annual Convocation Thursday.
Alumni and church leaders were grounded in their identity and role as a prophetic voice of truth for the African American community at Howard University School of Divinity's 89th Annual Convocation Thursday.
With a critical focus on Religion and the Media, which served as this year's theme, the convocation explored the impact of media and its negative and positive effects on the black church today as well as its vital role of communication for the African American Christian culture.
Black megachurches have been on the rise since the civil rights movement. However, many Christian leaders criticize that the media has yet to paint the right picture when depicting the black church culture.
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"The media has never had the intent to relate truth of portraying black culture," said the Rev. Willie F. Wilson of Union Temple Baptist Church during a panel discussion near the closing of the convocation.
Wilson further explained the power of the media and the related vital role that the black church has in conveying a true message – a message “that speaks to the liberation of our people."
Immersed in the "information age" of internet, cable television and cell phones, "we're inundated with information," said Dr. Cheryl J. Sanders, professor of Christian Ethics at HUSD and senior pastor of Third Street Church of God.
Amid the sea of information where half of what is read is not true, people – particularly African Americans – must be wary of what they read and utilize it as a source of empowerment for their people, as Sanders commented to The Christian Post.
It is not just a matter of the "dissemination of information," but also of the "assimilation of knowledge," she said.
With mainstream media portraying negative images of the African American community, Sanders said, "We have to be discerning of that and not deceived" through "critical scrutiny so that that information becomes useful."
Suggesting how the media can be used beneficially to convey the message of truth, the Rev. Daniel Mangrum of Cornerstone Peaceful Bible Baptist Church, spoke of the need to send out positive images of black people in whatever way they can.
"You don't have to have the biggest venue, but God can emphasize what you put out there," he said during the panel discussion. "There is power on our message [and] people are hungry to receive."
The 89th convocation of HUSD opened Nov. 2 with alumni, faculty and church leaders and closed Thursday with a special tribute to Dean Emeritus Lawrence N. Jones.
