The Invisible Institution, Essay Example

African American church and its impact on the American culture

The African-American church is considered the oldest institution in the Black society and thus has contributed significantly to black experiences by creating invisible space for the development of African American oppositional consciousness. The white religion did not influence African American people their oppressors, but instead, they created an African American faith religion that highlighted the hypocrisy of Native American Christianity. They accepted their sacred doctrines and the value of the black culture. This was the onset of the institutional African American Christian that evolved to be the African American church. One of the invisible institution’s main roles was to help African Americans break free from the spirit of slavery and resistance.

The Native Americans tried to suppress every aspect of African culture, but Africans strongly held on to them and secretly practiced the forbidden traditions. It forces them to adopt a measure that would disguise their action to the extent when the white oppressors tried to force them or influence their faith on them, it would not appeal to them. However,  a group of the white religious church called the Anglican tried to influence African to join them to get rid of African’s traditional culture and their religion.

The invisible institution created the foundation of the African American church as a social facility that met the needs and had a significant role in the transition to freedom and during the slavery period. The church evolved from having no structure to be an essential factor in African American lives. It became a self-sustained institution that made it the first institution to be fully independent and managed by the African American people. The African American church was referred to as an invincible institution because they held secret religious group meetings and, in progress, a fake Christian tradition that responded to their needs and wants. These culminated in the African churches, facilitating the shift from slavery and offer valuable social networks and friendship through which Africans would now integrate into urban life.

The church’s independence made it a place where African Americans would seek refuge and get charity programs. The African American church provided a haven from the cruel world outside and made African Americans accept their human nature and embrace the racial society. All these were influenced by the existence of the invisible institution that shaped the independent African American church. Moreover, African American businesses and schools are traced back to the African American church; it was the incubator of all black structures from families to major social institutions.

Predominantly, the African American church and traditions had a significant impact on American culture; hence, white American religious institutions must pay tribute to the African American church’s huge impact that still influences the focus and shape worship in the African American church religion encounter across the country denomination. The African American church influences the culture of the American significantly. For example, the African American church was determined to differentiate itself from American culture and religious doctrines. Their spiritual understanding condemned the existences of the superior race society and racial segregation. Some of the American Christian partially accepted the condemnation of racial segregation and allowed blacks to visit their churches. American incorporated the idea of good Christianity and subscribed to the African American nationalism the created the theme ‘Negro uplift.’

Led the uprising of African American leader that decides to fight for the rights and freedom of Africans in bondage. These leaders were the founders of the black nationalism that historically drew both the radical and conservative American citizens. The African American clergy were essential in impacting and changing their congregation, which were both Africans and Americans who were later influenced to join the fight for equality as per the doctrines of Christianity. American culture influenced by the African Americans was their political views from the exitance of conservative culture to allowing African Americans to participate in elections and stand to be voted in. moreover, they got a representation to the government arms to represent their ideologies. However, this was not accepted well since they were mistreated and still racially profiled. They were having African Americans fighting for fair constitutional justice for religious and political freedom. Americans lived up to championing the end of slavery and justice for all despite a few of them still holding on to racial segregation.

Americans accepted the need to allow Africans to attend schools and get an education despite being few and lacking enough facilities. However, these schools were to be attended by African American only. African American church influenced the song and music culture of native Americans. For example, the development of black dancing traditions and the ‘call and respond’ rhythm of African American songs and preaching were reciprocated to the American churches.  African American music culture led to the introduction on the now famous  Hip Hop culture that has spread widely in the current period.