About Kalua Expertise I can answer any questions about the socio-economic status of African Americans. I can answer questions about racial differences and societal predjudices shared by minorities. I can answer entertainment questions about African Americans. I can answer questions about interracial dating. I can answer spiritual questions regarding African American culture. I can answer questions regarding the matriarchal phenonmona unique to African Americans. I can answer questions about dysfunctional families in the African American culture. Lastly I can answer questions regarding the "strong black woman" myth.
Experience I am an African American professional. My course of study in the sociology of African Americans was a personal journey. I look at things not from a militant stance but from a purely scientific, realistic stance.
Organizations I am a member of the Screen Actors Guild.
Education/Credentials I hold a BA in Speech/Theater
Question Dear Kalua,
I just found this great website/service. I actually have a comment & question. I would like to know if black youth appreciate traditional black gospel music?
I am not Afro-American (I am Irish-American) but, since my spiritual eyes have been opened, i find that black traditional gospel music is unique, as far as I know, in the following ways:
1. The spiritual eloquence,truth, subtlety and depth of traditional black gospel music is unmatched, in my experience.
2. It is old news about the passion & rhythm of black music, but when this is applied to love of God (rather than to more mundane romance)it is MAGNIFICENT!
3. I am learning to play piano in that style, and I find that it is dying out, with newer, "hipper" genres are taking over, but i find them pallid, compared to the traditional music.
4. How great that you are an actor!
5. Sorry, i don't seem to have a question, unless you know of any traditional piano players in Northern California (Sonoma County) who take students.
thank you
Answer Thank you for your enthusiastic response to the music which identifies many in the African American culture. I grew up a Baptist and sang in the choir but as an adult I became Catholic like my father. I do so love gospel music and have found 2 Catholic churches which are predominatedly African American with the same gospel music I grew to love as a child.
African Americans are a deeply spiritual people as are many who have been the underdogs of society. Immigrants also brought their faith with them as they had to suffer the injustices of their wealthier peers. Religion played an enormous part in the freedom of slaves and the actual learning to read and write. During slavery many slave masters took out verses of Jesus which were thought to be subversive but pointed out the scriptures which said that these slaves were to "obey their masters".
Old Negro Spirituals as they are called were actually messages to other slaves when they were fleeing, take for example, "Wade in the water, I'm going to trouble the water." This spiritual song was sung when the slave who escaped was warned by the singing voices of their friends and family warning them not to take dry land as the master was in pursuit. Of course the spiritual made famous by Martin Luther King, "We shall overcome" was also a gospel hymn about being oppressed but faithful that the Lord would make things all right. "Look what they done to Jesus, so how can they hurt me?" Was a phrase my grandmother used to repeat in the face of horrible racism.
Finally as an Irish American I'm sure that you know of the need to cling to religion and spirituality in your native land as so many people during the same time of slavery were improverished and badly treated. Many Irish were sent over as indentured servants and shared some of the fate of the African American slaves until they could secure their freedom. I am from Louisiana and an entire branch of my family was actually owned by an Irish family, but they were said to be fair and granted freedom of many of their slaves even before the Emancipation Proclamation. I have cousins with red hair and green eyes. I myself am dark like my father but have followed in the Catholic tradition of the family. Perhaps the music you love so well is a stirring in your own soul of your shared history of pain and overcoming and spirituality. I love Celtic music and used to frequent a bar in Atlanta called "County Cork" to listen to the beautiful music of your ancestors. As for gospel music check out an African American church, they will welcome you and be honored that you take an interest in their spirituality. Think of the rhythm of Elvis who frequented a black church in Mississippi as a boy.
Don't be afraid to approach someone to ask what church they go to. My old boyfriend was Swedish and he loved rhythm and blues and gospel music. He joined a protestant church and as a musician sometimes he filled in for their drummer.
Every African American singer alive today is influenced in some way by the gospel music of our heritage. It is beautiful and rich and excellent. I'm in Southern California and do not know the Sonoma area but check with a local, "Church of God in Christ" or find an African American Catholic church. If you are ever in Los Angeles visit, St. Agatha's Catholic church on Adams, the 10am service is marvelous but get there at 9:30 to secure a seat. Many whites visit so you won't be alone or visit, "West Angeles Church of God and Christ" an affluent and newly rennovated church on Crenshaw blvd. They have services at 8am, 10am, 12pm. Both are safe areas.
