He attended church school at twelve years old. ... In 1983 he wrote Gathering of Old Men about twelve men conspire to protect a killer, made into a television movie in 1993. ... A Gathering of Old Men presents a cast of Southern black men who after a life of subordination and intimidation made a defiant stand against injustice. ... In 1972 he won fiction gold metal from Commonwealth Club of Old Men of California. In 1972 he got an award for The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman and in 1984 for A Gathering of Old Men, award from Louisiana ...

• Word Count: 1754
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: High School

Whites, being leery not to encourage freedom-based teachings of Christianity, provided a watered-down version that stayed true to the salvation message and passages encouraging the slave's docility, but avoided passages promoting freedom primarily found in the Old Testament. ... This conglomeration of ideals to form an authentic African-American spirituality with Christian and African overtones has been described as the "invisible institution"4, as even small, private gatherings for worship among slaves was forbidden. ... During these "sermons", the congregation was encouraged to shout ...

• Word Count: 1954
• Approx Pages: 8
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

This social club was very similar to the old world parlors where people would get together and discuss the philosophy of the times. The African American men and women however gathered in the Brock Building to enjoy the dance and music of the time with live performances from jazz groups and big bands, and, "turned racial segregation into positive ethnic congregation in a celebration of life and culture" (123). ... But the men and women in Louisville used the strength and connectivity found in the community amongst other African Americans. They fought the race battle with each other th...

• Word Count: 1444
• Approx Pages: 6