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The Sparks Fly Upward Videos, Parts 1 and 2
Dublin Core
Title
The Sparks Fly Upward Videos, Parts 1 and 2
Subject
Segregation, Religion, Social Services, Civil Rights, Churches
Description
SCROLL TO BOTTOM OF SCREEN TO WATCH VIDEOS
In 1986, empty tomb volunteers wanted to explore the history of segregation, both in the nation and the church. Doug Peterson and Wilmer Zehr produced The Sparks Fly Upward which is copyrighted and distributed by empty tomb, inc. Interviews are with Rev. W. H. Donaldson, the retired Pastor of Salem Baptist Church, Champaign, IL; Mrs. Lydia Wilson, a member of Salem Baptist Church, who formerly had been a cook in some of the wealthiest homes in Champaign, IL; Kenneth Stratton, a teacher and administrator in the Champaign schools, who was the first African American elected to the Champaign City Council, with a school now named after him in Champaign, and who was a member of Bethel AME, Champaign; and Willie Summerville, a renowned music teacher in the Urbana schools, now retired, and a member of Canaan Missionary Baptist Church, Urbana.
These two videos explore segregation and its effects in the Champaign-Urbana area and nationally. Two topics are covered specifically: the Segregated Community, a historical look at segregation in society in general, and the Segregated Church, a look at segregation in churches.
Credits:
Produced by Doug Peterson and Wilmer Zehr, Photography by Wilmer Zehr, Narrated by Kent Redmon
Readings by Jenny Goran, Illustrations by Tony Grant, Titles by Starbird Graphics, Music by St. Luke's CME Choir
Special Thanks to Bill Donaldson, Ken Stratton, Willie Summerville, Lydia Wilson, WBGL Radio, Canaan Baptist Church, Second Hand Rose Antiques
Historical Photos Courtesy of Champaign County Historical Museum and Library of Congress
©empty tomb, inc. 1986-2011
Credits:
Produced by Doug Peterson and Wilmer Zehr, Photography by Wilmer Zehr, Narrated by Kent Redmon
Readings by Jenny Goran, Illustrations by Tony Grant, Titles by Starbird Graphics, Music by St. Luke's CME Choir
"They'll Know We Are Christians" Performed by The New Covenant Worship Corp
Special Thanks to Bill Donaldson, Ken Stratton, Willie Summerville, Lydia Wilson, WBGL Radio
©empty tomb, inc. 1986-2011
The Sparks Fly Upward
Discussion Questions
"For affliction does not come from the dust,
neither does trouble sprout from the ground,
for man is born for trouble, as sparks fly upward."
Job 5:6,7
Part One: The Segregated Community
Note: The Sparks Fly Upward video was shown by empty tomb volunteers in various churches in the Champaign-Urbana area when it was first produced in 1986 and 1987. These questions provided a basis of discussion after the viewing.
Do you have any memories of segregation in Champaign-Urbana or in your home community? If so, would you be willing to share them? What effect have these memories had on you?
How are racial relations in Champaign-Urbana today? Are they getting better or worse? Explain.
The statement has been made that if you grow up in the United States, you inevitable have some racist views. In what ways do you find yourself thinking in racist ways?
How would you evaluate race relations in local schools today?
Is busing a legitimate solution to segregation in schools? Why or why not? If you don't think it is, what are alternative solutions?
If you are White, react to this statement: "I never owned slaves. That's in the past. Why should I feel a sense of guilt?" If you are Black, how would you respond to a White person who makes this statement?
Let's say you are with a group of friends and someone makes a racial joke. How would you respond? How do you think Jesus would respond to a racial joke?
Have you encountered racism in real estate in Champaign-Urbana? Explain.
Have you encountered racism in local hiring practices for jobs?
One big problem has been the tendency of Whites to leave a neighborhood when Blacks move into the area. Is this a problem any longer in Champaign-Urbana? Explain.
In talking about racism, Richard Wright once wrote, "We all, deep in our hearts, know exactly what to do, though most of us would rather die than do it." Is this true? Do we know exactly what to do about racism? Explain.
"My prayer for all of them is they will be of one heart and mind, just as you and I are, Father--that just as you are in me and I am in you, so they will be in us, and the world will believe you sent me." John 17:21
Copyright: empty tomb, inc., 1986
The Sparks Fly Upward
Discussion Questions
"For affliction does not come from the dust,
neither does trouble sprout from the ground,
for man is born for trouble, as sparks fly upward."
Job 5:6,7
Part Two: The Segregated Church
Note: The Sparks Fly Upward video was shown by empty tomb volunteers in various churches in the Champaign-Urbana area when it was first produced in 1986 and 1987. These questions provided a basis of discussion after the viewing.
If you attend a predominately Black church, has your congregation ever held any activities with a predominately White church? And if you attend a predominately White church, has your congregation ever held any activities with a predominately Black church? If so, do you still maintain a relationship with that church? If not, do you think it would be worthwhile to begin such a relationship? Will it do any good?
React to this statement: "If Blacks prefer to worship among themselves and Whites prefer to worship among themselves, that is perfectly fine. Integration is unnecessary."
1 Corinthians 1:10 says, "I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought." What does it mean to be "perfectly united in mind and thought?" What would it take for Black and White Christians to reach this goal?
How has the Church supported racist views? How has it successfully combated racist views? What can we learn from its mistakes and its accomplishments?
Would it work to merge two already established churches--one predominately White and the other predominately Black? What would be the major obstacles?
Besides merging two established churches, what other ways could integration take place? For example, would it work to send a small core of people from one church to integrate another church?
One system of church growth says that churches grow faster when they are made up of like-mined people. How do you think God views this attitude toward church growth?
React to this statement: "The primary reason that churches do not integrate is the fear of interracial marriage."
What else about integration do we fear?
Do you think integration of churches would harm Black culture? If so, how? How do you think integration could take place without damaging the crucial role played by the Black church?
If you are White, have you ever considered regularly attending a predominately Black church? Why or why not? If you are Black, have you ever considered regularly attending a predominately White church? Why or why not?
Whether you are White or Black, could you feel comfortable attending a church in which you were a minority?
"My prayer for all of them is they will be of one heart and mind, just as you and I are, Father--that just as you are in me and I am in you, so they will be in us, and the world will believe you sent me." John 17:21
Copyright: empty tomb, inc., 1986
In 1986, empty tomb volunteers wanted to explore the history of segregation, both in the nation and the church. Doug Peterson and Wilmer Zehr produced The Sparks Fly Upward which is copyrighted and distributed by empty tomb, inc. Interviews are with Rev. W. H. Donaldson, the retired Pastor of Salem Baptist Church, Champaign, IL; Mrs. Lydia Wilson, a member of Salem Baptist Church, who formerly had been a cook in some of the wealthiest homes in Champaign, IL; Kenneth Stratton, a teacher and administrator in the Champaign schools, who was the first African American elected to the Champaign City Council, with a school now named after him in Champaign, and who was a member of Bethel AME, Champaign; and Willie Summerville, a renowned music teacher in the Urbana schools, now retired, and a member of Canaan Missionary Baptist Church, Urbana.
These two videos explore segregation and its effects in the Champaign-Urbana area and nationally. Two topics are covered specifically: the Segregated Community, a historical look at segregation in society in general, and the Segregated Church, a look at segregation in churches.
Credits:
Produced by Doug Peterson and Wilmer Zehr, Photography by Wilmer Zehr, Narrated by Kent Redmon
Readings by Jenny Goran, Illustrations by Tony Grant, Titles by Starbird Graphics, Music by St. Luke's CME Choir
Special Thanks to Bill Donaldson, Ken Stratton, Willie Summerville, Lydia Wilson, WBGL Radio, Canaan Baptist Church, Second Hand Rose Antiques
Historical Photos Courtesy of Champaign County Historical Museum and Library of Congress
©empty tomb, inc. 1986-2011
Credits:
Produced by Doug Peterson and Wilmer Zehr, Photography by Wilmer Zehr, Narrated by Kent Redmon
Readings by Jenny Goran, Illustrations by Tony Grant, Titles by Starbird Graphics, Music by St. Luke's CME Choir
"They'll Know We Are Christians" Performed by The New Covenant Worship Corp
Special Thanks to Bill Donaldson, Ken Stratton, Willie Summerville, Lydia Wilson, WBGL Radio
©empty tomb, inc. 1986-2011
The Sparks Fly Upward
Discussion Questions
"For affliction does not come from the dust,
neither does trouble sprout from the ground,
for man is born for trouble, as sparks fly upward."
Job 5:6,7
Part One: The Segregated Community
Note: The Sparks Fly Upward video was shown by empty tomb volunteers in various churches in the Champaign-Urbana area when it was first produced in 1986 and 1987. These questions provided a basis of discussion after the viewing.
Do you have any memories of segregation in Champaign-Urbana or in your home community? If so, would you be willing to share them? What effect have these memories had on you?
How are racial relations in Champaign-Urbana today? Are they getting better or worse? Explain.
The statement has been made that if you grow up in the United States, you inevitable have some racist views. In what ways do you find yourself thinking in racist ways?
How would you evaluate race relations in local schools today?
Is busing a legitimate solution to segregation in schools? Why or why not? If you don't think it is, what are alternative solutions?
If you are White, react to this statement: "I never owned slaves. That's in the past. Why should I feel a sense of guilt?" If you are Black, how would you respond to a White person who makes this statement?
Let's say you are with a group of friends and someone makes a racial joke. How would you respond? How do you think Jesus would respond to a racial joke?
Have you encountered racism in real estate in Champaign-Urbana? Explain.
Have you encountered racism in local hiring practices for jobs?
One big problem has been the tendency of Whites to leave a neighborhood when Blacks move into the area. Is this a problem any longer in Champaign-Urbana? Explain.
In talking about racism, Richard Wright once wrote, "We all, deep in our hearts, know exactly what to do, though most of us would rather die than do it." Is this true? Do we know exactly what to do about racism? Explain.
"My prayer for all of them is they will be of one heart and mind, just as you and I are, Father--that just as you are in me and I am in you, so they will be in us, and the world will believe you sent me." John 17:21
Copyright: empty tomb, inc., 1986
The Sparks Fly Upward
Discussion Questions
"For affliction does not come from the dust,
neither does trouble sprout from the ground,
for man is born for trouble, as sparks fly upward."
Job 5:6,7
Part Two: The Segregated Church
Note: The Sparks Fly Upward video was shown by empty tomb volunteers in various churches in the Champaign-Urbana area when it was first produced in 1986 and 1987. These questions provided a basis of discussion after the viewing.
If you attend a predominately Black church, has your congregation ever held any activities with a predominately White church? And if you attend a predominately White church, has your congregation ever held any activities with a predominately Black church? If so, do you still maintain a relationship with that church? If not, do you think it would be worthwhile to begin such a relationship? Will it do any good?
React to this statement: "If Blacks prefer to worship among themselves and Whites prefer to worship among themselves, that is perfectly fine. Integration is unnecessary."
1 Corinthians 1:10 says, "I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought." What does it mean to be "perfectly united in mind and thought?" What would it take for Black and White Christians to reach this goal?
How has the Church supported racist views? How has it successfully combated racist views? What can we learn from its mistakes and its accomplishments?
Would it work to merge two already established churches--one predominately White and the other predominately Black? What would be the major obstacles?
Besides merging two established churches, what other ways could integration take place? For example, would it work to send a small core of people from one church to integrate another church?
One system of church growth says that churches grow faster when they are made up of like-mined people. How do you think God views this attitude toward church growth?
React to this statement: "The primary reason that churches do not integrate is the fear of interracial marriage."
What else about integration do we fear?
Do you think integration of churches would harm Black culture? If so, how? How do you think integration could take place without damaging the crucial role played by the Black church?
If you are White, have you ever considered regularly attending a predominately Black church? Why or why not? If you are Black, have you ever considered regularly attending a predominately White church? Why or why not?
Whether you are White or Black, could you feel comfortable attending a church in which you were a minority?
"My prayer for all of them is they will be of one heart and mind, just as you and I are, Father--that just as you are in me and I am in you, so they will be in us, and the world will believe you sent me." John 17:21
Copyright: empty tomb, inc., 1986
Creator
Empty Tomb, Inc.
Source
http://www.emptytomb.tv/
Publisher
Empty Tomb, Inc.
Date
1986
Contribution Form
Online Submission
No
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Moving Image Item Type Metadata
Files
Collection
Citation
Empty Tomb, Inc., "The Sparks Fly Upward Videos, Parts 1 and 2," in eBlack Champaign-Urbana, Item #875, https://eblackcu.net/portal/items/show/875 (accessed July 3, 2024).
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