Learning Activity: The Great Migration Assignment
Michelle Monclova
College of Arts and Sciences, Liberty University
CSTU220(B01) The African American Experience Summer Term 2024
Dr. Diane Wawrejko
May 27, 2044
The Great Migration was the second exodus of African Americans from the rural
Southern states of the United States to the urban Northeast, Midwest, and West during the 1910s
until the 1970s, for the promised land. According to an article entitled. “The Great Migration,”
the driving force behind the mass movement was to escape racial violence, pursue economic and
educational opportunities, and obtain freedom from the oppression of Jim Crow. (National
Archives, 2021), During the Great migration, millions of African Americans had moved to
northern states such as Chicago, Detroit, New York, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles, where they
found work in factories, steel mills and other industries that were booming during the first world
war and second.
According to the video entitled “The Great Migration” (Liberty, 2018) Six million
African Americans moved their cultural and social institutions, particularly churches, played a
crucial role in providing a sense of community, support, and identity. Churches became central
hubs for the African American population in these new urban environments, serving as places not
only for worship but also for social gatherings, education, and activism.
From a biblical worldview, the role of churches in the Great Migration could be
understood through passages such as Psalm 68.6, which states, “God sets the lonely in families,
he leads out the prisoners with singing.” (NIV) In the context of the Great Migration, African
American churches served as families for those who were uprooted from their homes in the
South, providing them with a sense of belonging, and community in their new surroundings.
Churches also functioned as places of refuge and hope, reflecting the Christians values of love,
unity, and support for one another in times of hardship.
The Influence of these church communities on the culture and politics of burgeoning
urban areas was profound. Churches became not only spiritual centers but also hubs for social
justice activism, education and community organizing. Drawing on the teachings of Jesus Christ,
who stood up tor the oppressed and disenfranchised African American churches played a leading
role in advocating for civil rights, equality, and social change. Scriptures such as Micah 6:8,
“And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly
with your God.” (NIV), This verse inspired many church leaders and members to actively engage
in efforts to combat racism and injustice.
In Conclusion, The Great migration played a significant role in shaping the demographics
and the social dynamics of the United States in the 20 century, as well as influencing the
th
cultural and political landscape of the country. It contributed to the growth of African American
communities, the development of contemporary music styles like jazz and blues, and the rise of
the Civil Rights Movement. The Great Migration transformed African American churches into
pillars of strength and resilience for communities facing immense challenges. Through a
Christian worldview. We could appreciate the role of churches in providing solace,
empowerment, and a voice for the marginalized during this pivotal period in American history.
The legacy of these church communities continues to shape our understanding of the importance
of faith, community, and social justice in building a more fair and compassionate society.
References:
1. Watch: The Great Migration, (2018) retrieved from
https://canvas.liberty.edu/courses/642719/pages/watch-the-great-migration?
module_item_id=66782974
2. Woodson, Dr. C.G, “The History of the Negro Church” (1921)
Second Edition. x, 330 p., ill. Washington D. C. The Associated Publishers
Retrieved from https://docsouth.unc.edu/church/woodson/woodson.html
3. Sernett, Milton C. (7 Jan 2000), “African American Religious History A documentary witness.”.
Second Edition Duke University Press
https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/liberty/reader.action?docID=3007887&query=
4. National Archives (28 Jun. 2021), “The Great Migration” (1910-1970) retrieved from
https://www.archives.gov/research/african-americans/migrations/great-migration.
5. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Micah%206%3A8&version=NIV
6. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2068%3A6&version=NIV
