Why Do Whites Not Like Black Music?

Why Do Whites Not Like Black Music?
by Ted Slater on 07/11/2007 at 11:59 AM

This past Sunday I flipped on the TV as I was getting ready for the day, and came across a channel featuring black gospel videos. The first two featured Fred Hammond, and since I'm a huge Fred Hammond fan, I turned it up and began to sing along.

The camera panned from the stage to the audience, and something struck me: As far as I could tell there was only one white guy in an audience of perhaps 2,000.

That's consistent with my personal experience attending concerts featuring African American gospel artists. Whether the concert featured Fred Hammond, Yolanda Adams, Men of Standard, or Kirk Franklin, I was consistently among a handful of grains of salt in a vast sea of pepper.

Here's the thing: I personally wasn't one bit uncomfortable with that. The passion and involvement and sense of community and love I felt before, during and after each conference was distinctive. I felt only a joyful comradery as I sang "No Weapon" or "When You Praise" or "I'm Grateful" alongside Christians who happened to have darker skin than mine.

The thing that did bother me, that continues to distress me, is that so many of my Christian brothers and sisters are missing out on a gift from God: black gospel music. Is it a cultural issue? Is it a style or lyric issue? Is it a subtle expression of racism? Is it fear of putting yourself in a situation where you'd be the minority?

I really don't know.

What I do know is that sometimes as a white guy I feel like I'm in on a great secret that most of us lighter-skinned people overlook: the blessing of black gospel music and the rich fellowship of black gospel concerts.

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1. Carrie said the following at 12:39 PM on Jul 11:

I went to a predominately white, conservative, Christian college. We had a Gospel Choir that was led by darker skinned members of the student body. The students LOVED it when we (the Gospel Choir) led chapel service.
I now attend a church whose members have the same skin tone as I and every once in awhile we'll get a visitor or two that brings more color to our congregation. One of the college students that attends was shocked to learn that I was a member of the G.C. at The College. It was outside of his "conceptual framework" of me. He started attending The College after I graduated.(At our church we sing Pslams and "traditional" hymns. Any sort of cotemporary songs are out.)
Sadly, in my experience, there is some form of racism that prevents whites from enjoying "black gospel" music. I was appauled when I heard a friend tell me that if her parents told her not to date a black man because of "cultural differences" she would obey them!
I think black gospel music is rich and edifying to the soul.

2. IML said the following at 12:50 PM on Jul 11:

It is very curious that African American artists are top selling performers in secular music, but gospel (black) artists receive virtually no airplay on Christian (white) radio stations.

I attend a church that is overwhelmingly white. I love the church's doctrine, practices and the friends that I have made there, but sometimes I am bored to tears by the music. On these occasions, I cannot wait to get into my car after church and blast Fred Hammond, Yolanda Adams, Mary Mary or John P. Kee.

Whenever I invite church friends to my home or give them a ride, I make sure to switch off Third Day, Phillips Craig & Dean and Jars of Clay in order to expose them to some soul stirring gospel music.

3. Leann K. said the following at 1:25 PM on Jul 11:

I love "Black Gospel" music but I grew up in an all-white church who sang traditional hymns. I played piano too and never got a chance to play the soulful spirituals of the darker-skinned Christians. I am now married to a man who grew up in a predominantly black community and he has influenced me tremendously. He grew up with the blues on the Mississippi River, so when we're flipping through channels and catch a black choir, we keep it on and watch in delight. I'd love to be part of a congregation of mixed cultures, but in my small town, there aren't very many black people. More are moving into the community, I just wish they'd come to our church and bring some culture with them!

4. Geoff the djembe said the following at 1:41 PM on Jul 11:

I'm not going to get into an argument over what's better.

I just don't like that genre of music, being gospel. I appreciate it as what it is, and am glad for it, but it's just not my "style" of music. I never really enjoyed that kind of singing. A friend of mine would say that he just wanted the singer to "sing the darn song," though darn wasn't the word he used, meaning that he wants the singers to stop cramming 8 notes in one. That's my main reason for the dislike of it, though we could say this about many singers, black and white...*Jesus loves the children of the world* ...sorry random tangent/song

I think it is largely cultural. My dad Is a professionally trained classical bass singer, and so i grew up with Bach, Mozart, and everything under the sun that is deemed classical. I grew up hearing single, clear notes, one after another, that when merged with other notes produced rich harmonies and such. IT's just what i've known and come to like within other styles of music.....more structure

I think this addresses the larger question of race and music. Why is it that White boys like me often like rock and metal, and when i'm moshing, there isn't a single black dude in the pit? I know this isn't totally true (i feel like i need a disclaimer for my lack of PC) but it often is. Why is it that my two least favorite genres are rap and hip-hop?

I believe that the answer is MAINLY due to our cultural upbringing. We were conditioned to enjoy certain music’s more than other, by sheer repetition these became the norm and the baseline in which everything was measured by. Not to mention that with these styles of music, we will identify more with the messages and lyrics than other genres of music because of race/culture/religion/socio-economic background etc. As a white dude living in eugene Or... not known for its gang activities, i probably won't care all that much about music talking about getting shot up in the backstreets of LA.

so just some thoughts to think about from your local djembe

5. Leslie said the following at 1:44 PM on Jul 11:

I really hoped you'd get through this post without mentioning racism. How disappointing.

6. Sina said the following at 1:46 PM on Jul 11:

Perhaps more whites like the 'black' gospel music than you think...they might not attend the concerts. I'm black and I've never been to a Fred Hammond concert but I listen to his CDs. At the same time, I love classical music which to some may be something blacks should not like. Either way it's a sterotypical statement to assume that whites and blacks all like certain types of music based on their race. I believe culture is more of an indication in most cases rather than skin color. It can be dangerous to make a sweeping statement like this in my opinion.

7. Dawnson said the following at 1:50 PM on Jul 11:

The Christian college I attended also had a Gospel Choir. And while I liked some of their songs, the style just didn't fit with me. I'm a more quiet, comtemplative person and I just couldn't mentally keep up with the high-energy tone they held. In regard to black music generally, I don't care for alot of it, but again I see this as a style issue not a race issue.

8. Bethany D. said the following at 1:51 PM on Jul 11:

Exposure has a lot to do with it. I grew up in a white family, with white friends, in a white community, attending a white church; diverse individuals were welcomed, but the non-whites we knew had assimilated into the dominant culture so completely there was little difference between us. Traditional hymns and contemporary music are what I'm familiar with; I have my favorite artists and my not-so-favorites, my preferred styles and my disliked. I don't think I've ever really been exposed to "Black Gospel Music", in fact I didn't even realize it was out there.

9. Abby said the following at 2:09 PM on Jul 11:

I just don't like the style. It has nothing to do with what color skin the person making the music has. Why do preferences always have to be turned into racial issues? Many people, for example, don't like country music. Does that mean they have a problem with white farmers? No, they usually just don't like the sound of the music. I think there would be a whole lot less racism in the world if people weren't so quick to bring it up all the time.

10. Ted Slater said the following at 2:23 PM on Jul 11:

Sina -- thanks for the post. What "dangerous ... sweeping statement" were you referring to? The fact that there were hardly any whites represented among the concertgoers, and that I thought that was unfortunate?

Not sure why some of you are eager to make a big deal of my including of the word "racism" in my original post. It wasn't my intention to derail my point by referencing that term in a question intended to be merely rhetorical. I personally think white folks don't attend black gospel concerts because they're just not exposed to this particular cultural artifact. It's my intention here to expose them to it....

Or maybe white folks don't attend black gospel concerts for the same reason they don't attend movies where all the key actors are black? It has a storyline that doesn't speak to where they're at? It just doesn't resonate with them?

Let's not get sidetracked by "racism." We can think more deeply than that.

11. BDB said the following at 2:23 PM on Jul 11:

Based on the title, I first thought this topic was about rap, because the majority of people who buy rap music are white suburban kids...

...but since it's about gospel music, I'll mention that my church, being in a rather ethnically diverse area (40% nonwhite) and we pretty much match the demographics of our area, so once a month we have "gospel" music, where the members of the congregation who are good at it put together a little choir. It's a nice break from the "praise" music on the overhead PowerPoint, let me tell you...

It is a deliberate decision of the pastor to push for different kinds of music so that different segments of the population feel comfortable. We have separate venues with LOUD rock and hymns, too. Gets us all out of our box; including getting the "praise music" people out of their box.

12. Mark said the following at 2:41 PM on Jul 11:

While I can admire the talent and energy that goes into playing (and improvising) Gospel music, it's not my favorite. I'm a quiet, reserved guy and anything that involves showing a lot of emotion like Gospel does is just not comfortable to me...at least around a lot of people. It's the same thing with raising hands in worship, it just makes me uncomfortable.

13. IML said the following at 2:45 PM on Jul 11:

I really appreciate this discussion, and I agree with Bethany that the issue is largely one of exposure. However, just because minorities attend a predominantly white church does not mean that they are so completed assimilated as to have little difference from the predominant group. Those of us who attend churches where we are in a distinct minority are merely very familiar with being the minority. We are routinely exposed to being the minority at work, at school and in our neighborhoods.

As for those who like classical music, many gospel artists have classical training and occasionally tone down the soul in their music to display the depth of their talent. Richard Smallwood is an excellent example of a gospel artist who frequently includes classical introductions and interludes in his music.

14. Bo said the following at 2:56 PM on Jul 11:

I agree with Bethany D. It's all about exposure. When we grow up hearing a certain sound, it's hard to allow our ear to get accustomed to anything else. I am a classically trained pianist, and when I decided to try my hand at jazz, I had a terrible time hearing the music--everything I played sounded wrong, but it was just that I wasn't used to the dissonant sounds. Now I love it!

If white people don't grow up listening to black gospel (or any other kind of music), how can their tastes be geared toward it (if they even know it exists!)? it seems kind of simple to me...

15. Sina said the following at 3:17 PM on Jul 11:

Ted-
First of all your title is over generalized. Why Do Whites Not Like Black Music?

There are whites that I know personally that do like "Black" Music. There are also Blacks I know who do not like "black" music. I know of a church that I attended for awhile that sings Brooklyn Tabernacle choir pieces...the worship leader is white and so is 98 percent of the singers. I currently live in NYC and the Brooklyn Tabernacle choir is made up of all races and socio-economic backgrounds. They sing what some would call 'black' music. Their CD total praise recorded a song written by Richard Smallwood (who is black) called Total Praise. Yet their choir is not made up of blacks alone. And their congregation is also very diverse.

Making an overgeneralized and in my opinion sterotypical is what is dangerous. I believe that's what the title of your post does. I reinerate the words "in my opinion".

16. Jessica said the following at 3:54 PM on Jul 11:

I do think that it has largely to do with exposure and cultural upbringing. I’m biracial, and I grew up attending a predominantly black church, with my mother being the only white member for many years. My church choir sang gospel music, as well as some traditional hymns, and since moving out on my own and visiting other churches, I found that I really want gospel music as part of my church worship experience. When I visited churches that sang contemporary Christian or more traditional hymns with power point screens instead of a big choir, I was really surprised, and I found it a bit “dry.” After listening to Christian radio, I have discovered that I like a lot of contemporary Christian artists, and I often have worship in my apartment with Third Day playing… I like the sound as well as the lyrics. And I have always loved hymns (though it’s surprising to hear others sing them differently, as they often do in other churches).

As for concert attendance, I think people are definitely afraid/wary of being a minority if they are not used to experiencing it. That’s not racism, but it is something worth getting over. I’ve grown accustomed throughout my entire life, to looking different than most everyone else in the room, and am thus very comfortable with it, but I’ve had frank discussion with friends who, for instance, grew very uncomfortable being the only white people at a party full of black people. They simply don’t know what it is to be a minority, and because they are part of the majority culture, it doesn’t often occur to them to seek out the company, music, or culture of minority groups. But it can certainly be an enriching experience.

17. Ted Slater said the following at 3:55 PM on Jul 11:

Sina -- I admit that my title is very general, intentionally so in order to draw folks to read it.

But the fact remains: Very, very few whites attend black gospel concerts. That's not a "stereotype," it's a quantifiable fact. And one that leaves me concerned that my white brothers and sisters are missing out on a wonderful part of Christendom. I've found such a warm sense of community and worship at the ones I've attended, and would love to see those of "other" ethnicities/subcultures enjoy the richness of black gospel music.

This post is not meant to be controversial, but provocative in a healthy sense.

18. Ted Slater said the following at 3:59 PM on Jul 11:

Jessica -- very insightful comments!

19. Anna said the following at 5:01 PM on Jul 11:

Word, brother! haha. I've loved black music for a long time, maybe not the real genuine stuff, but I love Grits and Kirk Franklin, just to name a couple. Speaking of which, I need to listen to some of that tonight!

20. Oxanna said the following at 6:12 PM on Jul 11:

I think it's mainly stylistic preferences and/or lack of exposure. And, too, gospel isn't really one of the "in" things right now! It's very exuberant and energetic and has a different feel than what I usually like, but then, I don't like all rock music either! I tend toward more classical tastes.

Frankly, I'm not sure racism has much to do with it at all, if the number of white kids listening to "black" rap music is any indication! And I really dislike racism being shoved to the forefront, as if it were an all-encompassing problem for white people still. It really isn't. I'm sure there's some racism in areas, but I think much of the "racism" is brought about by continually bringing up color as much as anything. Which brings me to one of my pet peeves: white people aren't "white". They are varying shades of peach, pale pink, or yellow. And black people aren't "black" - they're dark brown, medium brown, or slightly tan. (Not to rip on you in particular, Ted - just generic thoughts.)

21. San Soo said the following at 7:23 PM on Jul 11:

Interesting...I recently wrote something about Soul music on my blog.

Soul

Whatever happend to Soul music? I don't hear it on the radio much. I definitely won't hear it if the dial is on a contemporary R&B station. The soul of black music was sold to the Devil.
I recently went on a binge. I bought a bunch of soul songs on Itunes (it used to be so easy when I didn't pay for downloads). I got Sam Cooke, Lou Rawls, Donny Hathaway, Marvin Gaye. Soul. Making love. Family. Children. Bill Withers sings about grandma's hands. The Five Stairsteps tell me things are going to get easier.

No, I'm not black. I'm white...and I love soul music. I like all kinds of music. I'm just as concerned about the heart of country music. Soul and Country are two side of the same coin, and that coin might just be the blues...or folk. I don't know. Either way, the soul of Soul is lost. A lost soul needs the Gospel, and Gospel is what gave rise to Soul to begin with. It's time for the prodigal son to come home.

The abortion rate in the U.S. is highest amongst African-Americans. Babies need love. It's time to start making love again...and real love requires committment. Committment is expressed at the altar. G-strings, thongs, and condoms don't spell love. Why settle for lust when real love is waiting at the door? Soul music is calling us back home. Lou Rawls was right: "Love is a hurtin' thing". Chesteron (not a soul singer, not by any stretch) was right, too: "Anything worth doing is worth doing badly". Love may hurt, but only love can heal and inspire. Lust is a cancer.

What doth it profit to gain the world and yet lose one's soul? I think we have found out the hard way.

22. P&P said the following at 8:02 PM on Jul 11:

I think there is a subtle form of racism at work as well as a matter of not "fitting in." I like klezmer (East European Jewish music) and I'm not Jewish. I'll listen to it on my own, but I wouldn't feel right attending if a group performed at the Jewish Community Center near my home.

For those of you who've never heard klezmer music and want to know more about it, there's a documentary called "Jumpin' Night in the Garden of Eden" and you can view a part of it on this site:

http://www.folkstreams.net/film,63

Fun stuff.

23. John said the following at 9:14 PM on Jul 11:

My experience with black Christians is that we have very little in common, usually. Based largely on just cultural differences. Most black christians I know have a very emotional faith. And the focus of their faith is on social issues that plague their community: drugs, crime, unwed teenage pregnancy, etc. All of which I've never had to live through personally.

Also, there is a "reverse stereotype" if you will, that comes from the general culture and affects the christian culture, that says that white people can't dance, don't have rhythm, dont' have soul, etc.

I am white, and none of those stereotypes apply to me, but the blacks, christian and none, who know me (since I've been saved) automatically assume those stereotypes. Granted I carry myself much differently now compared to before I was saved, but I believe it has very little to do with the jumping to conclusions on the part of black friends of mine.

I've never been to a black gospel concert, but I usually won't go anywhere that I know I'll get looks, even if it is supposedly a christian concert.

24. cdwrshpgrl said the following at 9:58 PM on Jul 11:

This is in response to Geoff the djembe's comment contrasting gospel with classical music. You might want to consider listening to Handel's "Rejoice greatly, O daughters of Zion" (from The Messiah). There are some vocal runs in that piece that could be similarly described as "cramming eight notes into one". A lot of jazz and gospel are as rooted in classical music theory as in African-American tradition. Syncopation and other style-specifics make a big difference to the overall sound, but it's not as different as one might think. (Same could probably be said for differences among people, I guess.)

For what it's worth, I happen to be an African-American worship leader who grew up attending African-American churches with gospel choirs but now feels most "at home" with pop/rock influenced worship music (Vineyard, Matt Redman, David Crowder, Delirious?, etc.). So much for stereotypes. :)

25. Richard Labounty said the following at 11:04 PM on Jul 11:

"Geoff the djembe" comments are a bit offensive. Apparently black music to him is about about "getting shot up in the backstreets of LA".
It's great to see that such an opinion does not seem to have a consensus!

26. Ellie said the following at 12:48 AM on Jul 12:

Actually "Gospel" is the greatest American contribution to hymnody. It originally started with the songs sung at revival meetings in the latter half of the nineteenth century. They were in contrast to the more formal, traditional hymns of the typical Sunday service that white Americans sang, but in a very similar style to the typical music of black congregations. After the old-time revival meetings stopped, whites stopped singing the gospel songs and continued the traditional hymns, and blacks incorporated them into their worship.

27. Shauna said the following at 2:47 AM on Jul 12:

I think for a lot of white people it just boils down to exposure and personal taste. I am white (with hispanic origins) but was raised in a mixed black/hispanic charismatic church where white people were the minority. They sang black gospel every service. However, I am neither a charismatic nor a fan of black gospel. I don't feel that this is based on the race of the participants but rather that I just don't enjoy the style. However, white people who were never exposed to this music before may just as easily find that it suits them well. I myself enjoy international music from many other countries, but I only realized that once I branched out and started listening to music from other countries. I certainly didn't grow up listening to Bollywood and Middle Eastern and klezmer!

28. Leah said the following at 7:34 AM on Jul 12:

I love to sing spirituals. My choir, although predominantly white, is most excited by the emotion and excitement in historically black songs. Yet, when it comes to more modern music, I don't really find myself interested in the hip hop, r & b, rap music genres. I don't think this is the norm for white young people, however. Rap seems to have taken its place as a popular genre for most Americans, regardless of race.

What does bother me is the lack of ethnic unity in the church. Certainly, there is nothing wrong, per se, with an unconscious separation of races. But, why are we so drawn to only one type of service and mostly one-race church communities? Maybe its just based on a firm subconscious tendency to flock to our own races.

29. C. Aaron Briggs said the following at 7:34 AM on Jul 12:

It's totally cultural. My family and I frequent Irish-Celtic concerts and I don't expect to see any African-Americans there (although they are very welcome). It has nothing to do with racism but everything to do with the culture I grew up in and the cultures that others DID NOT grow up in.

And here's a tip: the word "racism" invokes passions and responses that no other word can. Sometimes it's best not to assume it or question its presence when it is clearly not going on.

30. Robert J Espe said the following at 7:52 AM on Jul 12:

The Christian record industry is divided into at least two halves, Contemporary Christian Artists (CCM) and Gospel Music Association (GMA). I think there is some overlap, but the groups have separate music festivals and awards. I think the divide carries over to radio stations, which is where I get most of my music. We have two stations, one, the "young" people's station plays more CCM music, and the stereotypically "old" person's station plays more GMA. I listen to both, but I'm thinking more young people don't listen to gospel just because it's not on their radio station (and since I just listen to the radio, I don't know what an artist looks like, I rarely bother to look up their picture).

Personally, I prefer country. My favorite, although I can't get it on the radio is Celtic and similar acoustic folk music (I've heard some very nice Andean music, they have dark skin). I just love the sound of strings and wind. It's just what stirs me.

31. E. Holmes said the following at 9:27 AM on Jul 12:

I grew up in the far north, a WASP in a Scandenavian-American cultural environment. My parents, raised between Detroit and Chicago, love black gospel choirs and Kirk Franklin/God's Property style compositions. Exposure influenced me and I have developed a great enjoyment of urban styles and complex rythms, including some rap.
What I have a difficult time stomaching is white Southern Gospel and Country music. I know that some of it is done musically and stylistically well, and the composers/performers may embody an attitude of worship, but my musical taste has not expanded enough that I can understand or enjoy those styles.

32. Scott said the following at 9:32 AM on Jul 12:

I think one's taste is definitely influenced by the culture one was raised around. That said, I am white, and was raised in a very conservative Christian family in the south, so I should be a poster child for "white music". But... although not much of a hip-hop fan, I love blues, funk, motown, R&B, and a lot of other genres that originated within the black community. Go figure! God has created immense diversity, and blessed people with creativity in all kinds of directions. I enjoy checking out new musical and artistic genres, and I don't stick with everything I sample, but I do try to appreciate where the artist is coming from and the God-given creativity they have expressed. Thanks for a good, thought provoking post.

33. v@v said the following at 9:58 AM on Jul 12:

Well, here's a thought -- the same idea is reflected in the local FM Christian radio station (i.e., the best, most clearest frequency). I live in the NY-metro area -- don't get me wrong, I love Big Daddy Weave, Third Day, Chris Tomlin, Phillips, Craig and Dean....but we rarely, *rarely* here any Gospel on these stations -- including urban gospel. A little strange for such a diverse broadcast area, don't you think?

34. Jacob said the following at 10:29 AM on Jul 12:

I like both traditional hymns and gospel, as well as native African styles. I would mainly attribute musical preference to early exposure, as we attended a very ethnically diverse church for most of my childhood. Hoever, I dislike rock, which my Dad listens to a lot, so it clearly is not the only influence.

35. ejp said the following at 10:42 AM on Jul 12:

I feel like I walked into a discussion that I really have no part of. I grew up in a home church singing choruses that probably came from my parents' "simple lifestyle" and "Jesus movement" days, and then some old-time Vineyard stuff. No one -anywhere- sings those songs anymore. So now I listen to whatever is on the local Christian music station, or what is sung in church (contemporary choruses and old-time hymns). In college I enjoyed the gospel choir (with its one white guy), as well as many other styles of music. To me, the message and lyrics and the attitude of worship that it inspires in me is the most important part of Christian music. So if it's messianic dance music, or Kirk Franklin or George Beverly Shea, the point is to turn our hearts to God. A Ukranian man came to my church and sang in a very Slavic-rock style in a language I didn't understand, yet his passion for the Lord was very moving, and I enjoyed listening- though I wouldn't have thought so beforehand.

36. Matthew said the following at 10:54 AM on Jul 12:

I actually conducted a study on this sort of issue a couple years back, I think you might be interested in what I discovered...

37. Irene M. said the following at 11:06 AM on Jul 12:

//Frankly, I'm not sure racism has much to do with it at all, if the number of white kids listening to "black" rap music is any indication!//

Oxanna, I'm not exactly sure listening to rap music means that someone is not a racist. On the contrary, the many white youth who inncorrectly equate African-American experiences with *mainstream* rap* and have no problem mocking/imitating/apropriating "ghetto culture" ARE acting in a racist manner. In fact, I would consider the American media's fascination with what it considers black or ghetto culture (Flavor of Love anyone?) modern day minstrelry.

*a message of sex, drugs, and violence specially catered to a white audience

//And I really dislike racism being shoved to the forefront, as if it were an all-encompassing problem for white people still. It really isn't.//

How is racism not a problem?

//I'm sure there's some racism in areas, but I think much of the "racism" is brought about by continually bringing up color as much as anything.//

Is there really only "some racism" or does the fact that you appear white (I'm assuming so correct me if I'm wrong) protect you from experiencing and witnessing racist behavior?

38. Irene M. said the following at 11:14 AM on Jul 12:

//What does bother me is the lack of ethnic unity in the church.//

Thank you, for that excellent question. Just last week I was driving by a HUGE Baptist mega-church (I actually mistook it for Walmart) when I noticed that they had a Vietnamese Baptist church in a tiny trailer on the edge of thier vast property. They obviously had enough space and resources to incorporate the vietnamese speakers into their church, so why establish a seperate trailer exclusively for them?

39. Paul Dirks said the following at 11:14 AM on Jul 12:

I'm white and have been heavily influenced by black music- not gospel but Soul and Hip-Hop. I've been to a few concerts of Christian Hip-Hop artists and the audience is usually nicely mixed. So I wonder if this is partially an age issue too- I wonder how many under-30 whites would rather attend a Grits concert than a Frank Hammond concert.

I appreciated your thoughts San Soo- a lot of good stuff in that little post.

40. nikki said the following at 11:26 AM on Jul 12:

I will echo the commenters who have said this is almost purely a cultural issue. We could easily flip the picture around and ask, why aren't there many black people attending "white churches"? (That would not be a nice thing to ask, for whatever reason.) Anyways, I don't know much about gospel or spiritual music, except I don't usually like the vocals of what I hear on the radio. They seem to throw their voice around in a showy way, or something. Simple as that. I'm sure it'd be neat to attend a "black church" and I'm sure there are aspects of all cultures that would be beneficial for anyone to partake of. But music is (always, I think) only one part of a larger culture, and races tend to stay with races. It's a comfort issue...what you grew up with, normally. And surely this doesn't go just for us white folk.

41. nikki said the following at 11:31 AM on Jul 12:

Oh yeah, and black preaching (at least what's on the radio) usually makes me want to vomit with all the screeching. That might be the real reason I have avoided black churches.

42. Brendt said the following at 11:56 AM on Jul 12:

Nikki, black preachers don't have the corner on the market for screeching while preaching. The suck-and-blow preachers (predominantly in the South) are usually so white, they're translucent. ;-)

Comments on Ted's original post later.

43. BDB said the following at 12:27 PM on Jul 12:

Irene M. wrote:

>>They obviously had enough space and resources to incorporate the vietnamese speakers into their church, so why establish a seperate trailer exclusively for them?<<

Was that just their office maybe? During regular worship times, our English-speaking church fills all the available space on our multi-acre property. But we have some Spanish-language and Filipino (I think) activities as well. They need their own office space, but their larger gatherings use our larger rooms during different hours - say Sunday evenings or on weekenights.

44. GUNNY HARTMAN said the following at 12:34 PM on Jul 12:

IML wrote: "It is very curious that African American artists are top selling performers in secular music, but gospel (black) artists receive virtually no airplay on Christian (white) radio stations."

That is interesting. I don't know what it says about me, but I would fall into that category. I loves me some Earth, Wind & Fire, Teddy Pendergrass, and just picked up a Bill Withers CD, but not so much the gospel stuff. Well ... I've actually not bought a "white" worship CD in ages either. Maybe I'm just not all that jazzed by the "Christian music" scene (not even the radio action).

I have to think it's predominatly cultural. Folks are more enthusiastic about that with which they are familiar. I've seen young white folk letharically making their way through "Rock of Ages," while they enthusiastically belt out "Shout to the Lord." Conversely, the older white folk love the former and tolerated the latter.

I'd be inclined to think that a white person raised in a predominately African-American church would be more at home there than in locations of white counterparts.

That being said, I'd love to see a day where not only was the congregation ethnically diverse, but so was the music.

I also wonder if the white folk worry about how others will perceive them. I've seen white folks on occassion "overdoing" their "blackness" to where it looks bogus and insulting to all involved.

There's a fine line, it seems to me, between being able to relate and pretending to be one of them (whoever the "them" happens to be). This is just as true of the 60 year-old white pastor trying to come across as hip by awkwardly appealing to the 20-somethings with Napoleon Dynamite quotes.

Part of it too is that white folks rarely get the experience of being a minority and they really don't know how to act.

They may worry about appearing to have about as much "street cred" as the white cop on Sandford & Son.

Personally, I've had many "awkward" experiences in my life wherein I was the minority. It was good for me to learn about how much easier life can be for me as part of the majority and it was good for me to experiences venues I might not normally.

In short, I think I'm a better human because of it, though still a slimy sinner saved by His grace alone.

45. Eric said the following at 12:35 PM on Jul 12:

Why do we even care? Why does it matter that I like or dislike "white" or "black" music? I like all sorts of music, classical, rock, techno, metal etc...
As my family would say "it is an opinion thing." Websters defines an opinion as "A view, judgment, or appraisal formed in the mind about a particular matter."
Lets pick a different subject, food for example. Am I racist if I don't like Mexican food? How about German food? No, I just don't like the flavor.
Good grief, get over playing the race card. Is it a subtle form of racism if an African American doesn't like Jars of Clay?
Maybe you wouldn't like songs by Nightwish, Flyleaf, Rammstien, Smalltown Poets, Brahms, Bach, or Burlap to Cashmere. If you didn't like the artists listed above and you didn't have their skin color, would that make you racist?
Maybe you just don't like the way it sounds.

46. Scott McClare said the following at 12:35 PM on Jul 12:

Amongst others, I listen to a number of genres of "black" music - jazz, blues, R&B, reggae, or funk. Black gospel, on the other hand, is just not my cup of tea.

For what it's worth, I'm not a big fan of white gospel (i.e. Southern) either.

47. Troy said the following at 12:36 PM on Jul 12:

As far as concert attendance goes, perhaps part of it is how it was advertised in the community. In Kansas City there are a couple CCM radio stations, and a couple Gospel stations. While I am sure the management at each does not intend to exclude anyone, they do seem to have different target audiences. If the concert was advertised primarily on the Gospel radio stations, the "other" audience may not even be aware of the concert.

48. Irene M. said the following at 12:41 PM on Jul 12:

"Was that just their office maybe?"

I wish, but thier sign indicated a separate, yet affiliated, church.

49. lewsta said the following at 12:52 PM on Jul 12:

Grew up so lilly white the ladinos were "wierd"!! As to music, though--can't stand, I mean CAN NOT TOLERATE the "Black Gospel" stuff. Yes, I've listened to it a lot..usually not by choice. BUT--and go figure this one--I have always loved, from the very first notes, musicians like Leadbelly, John Hurt, Lightnin Hopkins, Rev. Gary Davis, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Arizona Dranes, Billy Holiday..many of whom sing/play a LOT of spiritual music. So, please don't try and hang either the racist or the cultural exposure labels here...it don't fit. I have a HUGE collection (literally hundreds of LP's and CD's) of music from nearly every culture on this planet--and love it all. But, there are some types for which I simply have no space..and black gospel is one. (add opera, George Shea, nearly all contemporary "christian" stuff, "country" (unless you mean the REAL country, before it moved to Nashville, got plugged in and perverted).....and, of course, rap, hip hop, grunge, etc.

I was part of one church, a few years back, all white, which became spellbound by Twinkie...concerts, we sang their songs in worship...and I could hardly wait till that "fad" died of old age and boredom. Yeah, she had talent, and "soul", and enthusiasm. But that "music" turned me OFF completely. Now, if we'd just had Rev. Gary Davis in her stead.........so, it ain't de colah ob dey skin whut mek me wanna git outta deah. It be de wailin an hollerin whut mek me long gone, lak a tuhkey t'ru de coan.....(to quote Huddie Ledbetter, loosely)

I find it extremely interesting that one of the most often sung hymns ever written was from a white Englishman..Amazing Grace. It is in a pentatonic scale, the one used nearly exclusively by Negro singers/musicians, and is carried by a traditional African melody he heard often as he captained his slave ship between western Africa and the New World, laden with its miserable human cargo. And the most emotionally moving renditionn I've ever heard is that by the Watson Family of North Carolina, all white, done acapella....I can not even recall this version without choking up, it is so moving. Great music transcends all race and culture.

50. Alexandra said the following at 12:53 PM on Jul 12:

Its funny, Ted, I seem to it the other way round, I'm black. For some reason, I've always loved Pop and Rock music, and other "white" music even if I was brought up in an environment where no one listened to it. I think it is a question of taste and temperament really.
Once in a while I visit "black" churches with my friends and I must admit the worship blows me away when they do the slower praise songs as long as it doesn't get screechy. The more up tempo stuff makes me feel pretty uncomfortable.
But I also tend to be a minority in the churches and concerts/ conferences I attend. I go for the preaching and the worship which I enjoy but I must admit that it never feels like the warm bath you seem to experience at the Gospel conferences. Sometimes it feels rather stiff and cold.

51. GUNNY HARTMAN said the following at 1:05 PM on Jul 12:

Eric wrote: "Lets pick a different subject, food for example. Am I racist if I don't like Mexican food? How about German food? No, I just don't like the flavor."

That reminds of a quasi-rebuke I got after a sermon one time. I made the comment about preferences and that I didn't like Chinese food. I was approached by a couple afterward, he being Chinese and her Chinese-American. She was pretty indignant with some, "So, what's wrong with Chinese food?!"

I had a hard time convincing her that I wasn't racist, even though she knew of my passion for ethnic desegregation where churches lag behind the world.

52. Brendt said the following at 1:31 PM on Jul 12:

As a pigmentationally-challenged person, it's a few things for me.

I'll second (or 53rd) the motion that a large part of it is cultural, and to an extent, that's probably a case of missing out on stuff. There are 24 hours in a day, and most people of any race are conditioned to spend/waste that time with what's familiar.

Note: I'm gonna use "black music" as a shorthand. It's obvious that Ted recognizes that music doesn't have color (at least in a racial sense), but it's a handle.

Geoff's friend's comment about "sing the darn song" is spot-on in one sense. "[C]ramming 8 notes in one" used to be something that was limited to jazz, which is such an undefinable genre, that type of vocal style is almost to be expected. Then it began working its way into non-jazz black music. By the mid-80s in secular music (or the 90s in Christian music), you couldn't swing a dead cat without hitting white singers trying to emulate this. And somewhere in there, a large chunk of the populace (of all colors) lost track of the difference between (1) a good jazz-style singer and (2) someone who is simply untalented and can't find the note. While the latter spans all color lines, this "style" seems to be more prevalent in black music. And even if that prevlance does not exist, it "came from" black music, so there may be some subconscious association there.

I'll avoid getting off on a rant about how much of Christian music (of any genre) is often a copying of what's "hot" in secular music (with a 5-10 year lag). However, my next point stands on this fact. In some segments of black secular culture, it is made pretty clear that people of other races are -- at best -- unable to understand or -- at worst -- just plain unwelcome. (This isn't limited to black culture, by any stretch, but that's what we're discussing.) This "reverse-bigotry" then bleeds over to Christian music. If I'm blatantly unwelcome at [popular black secular artist]'s table, why would I even bother to find out if I'm welcome at [popular black *Christian* artist]'s table? I realize that's cynical, but I think a lot of people are wired that way. And in contrast, I love Israel's music -- which I would imagine would mostly be classified as black gospel -- and a good part of that is because he bends over backwards to ensure that race is a non-issue (and not just because his band looks like a rainbow).

My final issue of disinterest is that (rightly or wrongly) a decent chunk of black gospel music is associated with the blab-it-and-grab-it, God-as-the-celestial-vending-machine crowd. Again, not something that black culture has the corner on (cough, Jabez, cough). And not something that is pervasive in black culture, either (can you say Curtis "Voice" Allen, boys and girls?).

53. Brendt said the following at 1:36 PM on Jul 12:

Gunny, not liking Chinese food doesn't mean you're racist. It just means you aren't a Christian. ;-)

(j/k)

54. GUNNY HARTMAN said the following at 2:36 PM on Jul 12:

Brendt, I don't think you're the only one who would like to add "appreciation for Chinese food" to Paul's Fruit of the Spirit list! My own wife would "Amen" you.

55. Jennifer O'Hara said the following at 5:09 PM on Jul 12:

Is this facetious? Because I didn't even realize it was a problem. Perhaps it's because I've always liked this music as well, possibly because I grew up in the 'burbs of Detroit, but...I can't imagine anyone not liking "black" gospel.

And I put black in quotes because isn't praise praise no matter who it comes from?

56. Onaje Everett said the following at 6:19 PM on Jul 12:

I've read all of the comments so far and they pretty much confirm my experience as a Gospel DJ. In life, you have ecclectics and non-ecclectics. Ecclectics, like myself, like just about everything. Non-ecclectics, on the other hand, pick out a narrow range of what they like, usually based on exposure, and aren't apt to change later on. Everybody is one or the other to varying degrees. I love a variety of musical styles, but my genre of choice is Gospel. It's ultimately about the lyrics for me. That being said, while I prefer "Black" Gospel and buy it in large quantities, I do appreciate hearing CCM and I do have a few CDs from that genre, too. (I'm always looking for ways to mix between the two, as well. My audiences need the exposure.)

That being said, I feel the need to address one thing that hasn't truly been addressed in the above comments: skill. "Cramming 8 notes into one", which would be called a "run", takes an amount of skill that most people do not have. I can hold down a tenor section by myself, but my runs aren't that great...yet. :) Improvisation is a skill. Encouraging the participation of a crowd, which would be "emceeing", is a skill. In Psalm 33:3, David wrote, "Sing to Him a new song; Play *skillfully* with a shout of joy." So, whether you're listening to Crystal Lewis, any of The Clark Sisters, GRITS, Kirk Franklin, or TobyMac, understand that what you're getting from them is the excellence of the gift that an EXCELLENT GOD has given them.

Remember that only God can judge the heart the next time you call someone's vocal presentation "showy". If you get that impression from someone, your first impression should be to pray, not to judge. It's one thing if that's not your style, but it's totally another to call it sin because you don't understand its motivation.

1 Corinthians 10:31 - "Therefore, whether you eat or drink (or sing runs, or play acoustic guitar, or rap, or sing accapella), or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."

57. KendraW said the following at 6:21 PM on Jul 12:

I'm another one who doesn't particularly care for the Southern Gospel or Black Gospel sound. I wasn't raised with it. I was raised with the pure straight tones of English folk music and certain types of classical music. So when I hear the wavering pitches that are bent and stretched it sounds out of tune to me. It's a personal preference that has nothing to do with color or race.

As for us missing out on part of Christendom would you then say the same thing for those people who never give contemporary praise music the same chance? What about those who won't give the old hymns a fair shot? A musical preference should not block one part of Christendom from another, unfortunately it all too often does.

58. jcs said the following at 6:46 PM on Jul 12:

I'm still waiting for the thread wondering why white Americans don't like listening to Mexican Mariachi music.

(and, just for the record, yes, I do listen to Mexican Mariachi music... and I think I'm the only one who does...)

59. Cali said the following at 8:05 PM on Jul 12:

Nikki said" We could easily flip the picture around and ask, why aren't there many black people attending "white churches"?"

As a black Christian, I've always wanted to belong to a diverse church, but the musical preference issue was a major one for me. I was raised in a tradition that values live and vibrant worship rather than solemn and contemplative. I always feared that the music and worship styles at white churches wouldn't hold my attention.

I share the concern that God's people don't have a more unified way of worshipping that balances all styles of music and worship. I know these differences are cultural, but reading some of the posts from some of the inflammatory posts about what is perceived as black culture leads me to believe we aren't living out our faith. We share a culture as a nation and a race that is human. Isn't the greatest command Jesus left that we love one another as we love ourselves?

60. Ted Slater said the following at 8:26 PM on Jul 12:

jcs -- I spent about a year in the jungles of eastern Mexico, and have heard plent of mariachi. I love it! Makes me want to move! :-)

61. Helen said the following at 8:31 PM on Jul 12:

I think it's safe to say that people's actions are influences by so many different sources that no one rule sums it up.
Hopefully, whether these opinions are good or bad or informed by good or bad influences, the Holy Spirit will bring conviction, clarity or affirmation where necessary.
I know He's definitely done that for me as far as cultures/race go.
Music-wise, I love most contemporary Christian music, and love to play worship on my guitar, but when I do, my siblings tell me that I sound sad!
Maybe exploring gospel music will bring more life and joy to my playing that it desperately needs haha- who knows!

62. Richard said the following at 10:53 PM on Jul 12:

Onaje Everett, I hope more people read your comments!

Why try to employ ones personal musical preferences as a standard to critique unfamiliar musical styles?!

63. Wyeth said the following at 10:55 PM on Jul 12:

Why is it that the major Christian radio station in my part of the country will regularly play Michael W. Smith singing "Total Praise" but won't play the same song as performed by the composer, the Black gospel music artist, Richard Smallwood? The same could be said of Black gospel songs that the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir sings which will get air play on this station when the Black gospel singers who composed and originally recorded those same songs are never heard.

Is this only a matter of exposure and culture, or is something else at work?

P.S.: In my opinion, Smallwood's rendition of "Total Praise" (his own composition) is FAR better than Smith's.

64. Rachael said the following at 12:25 AM on Jul 13:

If anyone is still reading at this point...
It's fine to have tastes, and be picky, and not like certain things. Disliking a style of music or food or whatever does not make you racist. But - don't forget that those who have different tastes from you are your brothers. Which means, not only do you have no call to be criticizing their tastes, you have a call to love your brothers even if it means trying out a few things that aren't your favorite. So you prefer Celtic? Fine, but that's no excuse to fail to actively GO and LOVE your Mariachi-loving brother. You prefer rocking out? No problem, but don't let that be an excuse for segregating yourself from your hymn-singing sister. When you're listening privately it may be only a matter of personal preference, but in the Church (and I don't particularly mean the church service) it's a matter of love.

65. Travis Seitler said the following at 8:39 AM on Jul 13:

Despite my whiteness, I've grown up with a fairly diverse mix of musical styles and skin tones. When I was little, my dad was just as likely to play Whintley Phipps, Bebe and Cece Winans & Acapella as he was Phil Driscoll, the Gaither Vocal Band and Steven Curtis Chapman (which was a lot). As I grew older, I was just as much a fan of Switchfoot as I was of Mary Mary, but it seems I gravitated toward "mixed" groups (DC Talk, Raze). Nowadays, you could find me listening to Derek Webb, Corinne Bailey Rae, Jack Johnson or Kevin Michael depending on when you swiped my iPod. These days I like music that's like a gentle stroll through the woods: lots to see and think about, but we're not in any hurry.

I just can't afford to go to concerts. ;)

66. C. Aaron Briggs said the following at 10:03 AM on Jul 13:

I agree 100% with Eric's comment on July 12th. I just don't like certain types of music. Get over it and stop accusing.

67. Brendt said the following at 10:24 AM on Jul 13:

Riffing off Onaje's comment. You're exactly right that a "run" takes skill. That's what I was getting at. Unfortunately, a large chunk of the populace (of all races) doesn't understand this and thinks that anyone who tries a run is extremely talented, when in reality, their version should be called a "stumble" instead. ;-)

68. dave from new orleans said the following at 1:33 PM on Jul 13:

all i have to say is "glory to glory to glory to glory to glory to glory to god" for Fred Hammond.

69. Ted Slater said the following at 1:51 PM on Jul 13:

Dave -- Amen! It was tons of fun to sing that song alongside 2,000 other worshipers at the Fred Hammond concert. :-)

70. Tomi said the following at 12:55 AM on Jul 14:

good post! and mostly good comments too! (haha if anyone's been wondering/cares, I've been in the Bahamas for 2 weeks) :)

Nikki said" We could easily flip the picture around and ask, why aren't there many black people attending "white churches"?
--correction: there are PLENTY of black people attending and involved in all white churches, yours might just not be one of them. Theres always waaay more Black people at White churches than vice versa. White people at Black churches tend to be curious visitors (nothing wrong with that!) or actual members who are in interracial marriages.

and as for the many comments mentioning this 'reverse racism' people love to talk about so much: there is no such thing as reverse racism!!!! racism is racism is racism. yes, there are plenty of Blacks who hate White people, but most of this 'reverse racism' is just perceived, and due to emotional anxiety at being the only pale face in a room for the first and probably last time in their life. Yes, everyone is staring at you, just like people stare or pretend not to notice when the only Black people walk into a room. Its quite comical actually. I do it too.

71. Oxanna said the following at 6:05 PM on Jul 14:

Anyone still reading this? Oh well, I'll post anyway, since Irene had some questions for me. :)

>>Oxanna, I'm not exactly sure listening to rap music means that someone is not a racist. On the contrary, the many white youth who inncorrectly equate African-American experiences with *mainstream* rap* and have no problem mocking/imitating/apropriating "ghetto culture" ARE acting in a racist manner.

I'll definitely agree with you there! Maybe my example wasn't so great. I *have* seen a lot of this "modern day minstrely", as you call it, and I think that's a good term for it. There are Christian rap artists, though, who I thought (I don't listen to them) wouldn't have any of that sort of thing.

>>How is racism not a problem?
>>Is there really only "some racism" or does the fact that you appear white (I'm assuming so correct me if I'm wrong) protect you from experiencing and witnessing racist behavior?

Well, clearly there's racism in the world. However, in my church community (which includes people of all colors and backgrounds), it's not a problem at all. What I was trying to convey was that racism, in the U.S. at large, isn't as frequent as we sometimes think it is. (Not that it doesn't exist, and some areas are worse than others.) I dislike it being continually brought up as if all white people are closet racists and that all minorities aren't racist at all. I also dislike it because I feel that continually bringing up an issue can drive a wedge further in between different "races". What makes music black or white, anyway? If I'm talking with my differently-colored friend, continually being "aware" of her color and how it relates to her musical choices doesn't help us bond!

72. Just Wanted To Say said the following at 8:23 AM on Jul 16:

It doesn't matter whether you're black or white and it really isn't anything cultural. We like what we like. I am Black and I am thinking about singing in Japan. I listen to Japanese and Korean music much more than anything in English and I speak Japanese and Korean. My style really is pop and rock. I don't like Gospel music that much but I don't really like contemporary Christian artists as well. The best Christian music to me I get every Sunday in Church. I do think that the American Church Body is very divided which saddens me but I don't think music is part of the reason.

73. dee said the following at 5:24 PM on Jul 26:

unfortunately i wonder if some of my caucasion brothers and sisters think our music (yes im black but go to a interracial and interdenominational church). now i love music from terry mccalmon and other caucasion artists but it saddens me when i get invites to conferences where there is not one black or any other race represented in the line up of " anointed" musicians and singers but its not just music for years ive attended conferences where all the "prophets" etc. are white not one korean or mexican or phillipino or black im sure it saddens God much more than me that after sunday morning we still retreat to each his own!!!!!!!!

74. Gene said the following at 3:31 PM on Sep 8:

The problem with this whole issue of music preference and the race/culture issue within the Christian body is the fact that modern Christianity is missing the point big time. The world has influenced Christianity instead of Christianity influencing the world with biblical truth. I listen to the words of many Christian today and they are basically speaking the same catchy phrases as the world, such as politically correct. The term, politically correct, didn't become popular until the media pundits began using it. Instead of Christian concerning about being political correct or political incorrect, we need examine ourselves to see if our thinking and actions are biblical correct or biblical incorrect. The reason why this race argument exists is because Christians are not carrying out the Great Commission of Jesus Christ. Christian are not spending time in prayer and in the Word of God. We are simply not following Jesus Christ. We are simply walking in disobedience to our God so we can fulfill our self-centered desires. We are in a comfort zone, listening to the music we like to hear and associating with the people who merely looks like us. I am thankful that songs like Todd Agnew's "My Jesus," Chris Rice's "We Are the Body," and DC Talk's "What Have We Become" are exposing some of the attitudes in modern day Christian circles. If Christians are going to have the impact of the Gospel to the world as Jesus commanded us, then we need to leave our self-satisfying and cultural comfort zones, began to take up our cross and give our life fully to following Jesus Christ. Otherwise, we are nothing but modern day Pharisees.

75. MarkS said the following at 12:27 PM on Jul 31:

What Mark (not me) says is the real issue I feel. It's not so much about music but a lack of spiritual joy. I too feel uncomfortable some times. Being raised as one of the Frozen Chosen, I have the subconcious belief that most people are putting on a show rather than losing themselves in Him. But why am I looking at what others are doing? Who cares?

In a recent service we had paused singing for something, don't recall what, and as the band started back up I JUMPED to my feet eager to sing a song I like. Everyone else in the congregation waited until the leader said "you can stand now" as if they need her permission to worship.

Perhaps there's a cultural difference that allows black folk to abandon themselves in His presence. Perhaps white folk are culturally taught to be "reserved or sophisticated". Perhaps we all need to lose ourselves in reckless abandon.

PS This white boy thinks 'Retha, Stevie, and Earth Wind and Fire are the best ever, which just proves that white folk can appreciate black music, they are just ashamed for some reason to let their spirit cut loose.

76. Lynda said the following at 6:01 PM on Jul 27:

I am a white person who loves black gospel music. I'm more fond of the choirs and old style artists, but I also like some of the more contemporary black gospel/Christian music. I should mention that I also love Christian contemporary, Christian alternative, some Christian rock/metal, and most styles of praise & worship music. Sometimes I listen to classical too. I don't listen to secular music of any kind and don't care for country or southern gospel, or heavy metal or opera.

I have been to predominantly black churches and often left feeling like I was not wanted or welcomed, simply because of my skin color. At one point I was asked to help with the worship at one such church and was treated as though I were a rebel and an outcast.

I would love to know if any white people have ever attended concerts of black gospel artists...singers like Yolanda Adams, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, or even Dorothy Norwood...groups like the Canton Spirituals...or choirs like Georgia Mass Choir., and your experience. In the area where I live when I try to attend such events the (black) people there treat me like I do not belong or am the enemy.

I am NOT, not, NOT racist...I love people of all colors and have black, hispanic, middle eastern, and Asian friends along with white friends. I have NOTHING against anyone of any race, yet I have been to churches and places where I'm treated with bias because of my skintone.

I love the soul of black gospel music. Is it wrong for a white woman to love good music?

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