I am working on a paper in my A.M.E. Institute Methodist History class, and I am trying to find information about the A.M.E. Church's involvement in the civil rights movement. Your assistance would greatly be appreciated.

-- Anonymous, February 21, 2002

Answers

Hi, James, Rosa Parks who refused to move to the back of the bus is A.M.E! Because one strong A.M.E woman said "I ain't moving" the montgomery boycott got started with Martin Luther king at the helm. Good luck with your paper. You might want to do a whole section on Rosa Parks.

-- Anonymous, February 21, 2002

Add a chapel on our church in Selma, AL. I believe it was the staging point, organizaing point, haven, etc. for the marches from Selma to Montgomery (March, 1965).

-- Anonymous, February 21, 2002

A great wealth of information can be discovered by contacting Dr. Dennis Dickerson. This is his specialty and he would be more than willing to share nuggets of history. He may be contacted through the number listed within the Book of Discipline.

-- Anonymous, February 24, 2002

Most folk know that the AME Church's hierachy did not participate in the civil rights movement. Sister Rosa Parks, who is AME, did not get the backing from the church that many of us would've expected the church to render. As you can see, Dr. M. L. King Junior, was the instrument used to begin the bus boycott after Sister Parks refused to move. There were two bishops of the AME denomination (I forget their names at the moment) that made the news for their stance against what Dr. King was doing. Perhaps reading the book "why we can't wait" would be most helpful to all of us.

To my limited knowledge, the AME Church's involvement in the movement was like everything else on the social scene that's controversial (even today), "enter the fray at your own risk." Will somebody stand up for Jesus?

-- Anonymous, February 25, 2002

I must echo Rev. Wiggs' somber assessment regarding the near-invisibility of the AMEC with the Civil Rights Movement during the 50s and 60s. The US Civil Rights Movement is largely defined through the efforts of prominent black Baptist clergy. Men such as Adam Clayton Powell, Jr, M.L. King, Jr., Gardner C. Taylor, Walter Fauntroy, Wyatt T. Walker and Samuel Dewitt Proctor literally defined the movement for social and economic justice at the national level. They were also all distinguished activist-pastors in some of the most influential Baptist churches in America. Several years ago I put forth the thesis on this BB that the history of the black church in America can be defined according to two epochal periods. The AMEC defined the black church during the 19th century. This of course is due to Allen and the other members of the Four Horsemen. The 20th century, I believe is the century of black Baptists. Although there were definitely some AME clergy and AMECs who were on the "battle ground" during the tumultuous decades of the 50s and 60s, the grim fact is the church of Allen was conspiculously silent during this time period. This is even more paradoxical considering the AMEC has historically espoused a clear and coherent social gospel by its clergy leaders and educated pew. Nonetheless, for some curious reason, the AMEC chose to follow the path of nonparticipation and inaction. Perhaps some of the records from the Annual Conferences during the 50s and 60s can shed some insight into why this Zion decided to become largely a side-line observer as oppossed to a foot soldier. I believe my earlier thesis remains intact. QED

-- Anonymous, February 25, 2002