Out of the storm
The storm that dumped snow on the south end of the valley before dawn this morning didn't dampen spirits at Calvary Baptist Church on State Street.
Calvary's choir — which can put the larger one up the street to shame when it comes to making a joyful noise — rocked out to "Lift Every Voice and Sing," the Negro National Anthem. And the Rev. France Davis exhorted the congregation to prepare themselves for spreading the Lord's word.
He didn't, however, make a call to prepare for Tuesday's primary, let alone suggest voting for Barack Obama, the first serious African-American contender for president. A table in the foyer included Obama material amid healthcare updates and a battered leather-covered Bible.
After the service, Davis, whose flock is predominately black, said, "We're non-partisan." His church, he said, "is for change." Obama, of course, has built his message on change and hope.
"We are on the same page in that," Davis said.
Utah's African-American population is tiny and unique. But it might surprise white Utahns that their state's history of discrimination has not been much different than the rest of the nation.
Seven African-Americans who lived through racism Utah style, tell their stories in a new documentary, produced by Phyllis Caruth. Wisdom of Our Years premieres Feb. 10 at 3 p.m. at the Calvary Baptist Church, 1090 S. State.
One of the film's subjects, Eva Sexton, says "The state ought to see [the film]. The government ought to see it. Schoolchildren ought to see it. Parents ought to see it."
Maybe Sexton and Obama, rolling into Super Tuesday, find hope in the anthem:
Calvary's choir — which can put the larger one up the street to shame when it comes to making a joyful noise — rocked out to "Lift Every Voice and Sing," the Negro National Anthem. And the Rev. France Davis exhorted the congregation to prepare themselves for spreading the Lord's word.
He didn't, however, make a call to prepare for Tuesday's primary, let alone suggest voting for Barack Obama, the first serious African-American contender for president. A table in the foyer included Obama material amid healthcare updates and a battered leather-covered Bible.
After the service, Davis, whose flock is predominately black, said, "We're non-partisan." His church, he said, "is for change." Obama, of course, has built his message on change and hope.
"We are on the same page in that," Davis said.
Utah's African-American population is tiny and unique. But it might surprise white Utahns that their state's history of discrimination has not been much different than the rest of the nation.
Seven African-Americans who lived through racism Utah style, tell their stories in a new documentary, produced by Phyllis Caruth. Wisdom of Our Years premieres Feb. 10 at 3 p.m. at the Calvary Baptist Church, 1090 S. State.
One of the film's subjects, Eva Sexton, says "The state ought to see [the film]. The government ought to see it. Schoolchildren ought to see it. Parents ought to see it."
Maybe Sexton and Obama, rolling into Super Tuesday, find hope in the anthem:
Out from the gloomy past,Or, to put it another way, "Yes, we can." Check out the coolest campaign video, here.
Till now we stand at last
Where the white gleam of our bright star is cast.
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