Title: The Afro-American Gospel Choir: Achieving a Positive Campus Climate for African American Students.
Abstract: For African American students, matriculation at a predominantly White institution of higher education can be quite intimidating. Religion is important in providing comfort and encouragement for many of these students. This article describes the Afro-American gospel choir at the University of Alabama and Us role in providing a more positive campus climate for African American students. Religion has consistently been shown to play a significant role in the daily lives of African Americans. Based on a variety of data from the National Survey of Black Americans, African Americans, compared to the general population, attend religious services more frequently; have higher rates of church membership; are more likely to perceive themselves as religious; and participate more extensively in private religious activities, such as prayer, reading religious material, and viewing religious programs (Taylor, 1986; 1988a; 1988b; Taylor & Chatters, 1991). Lincoln and Mamiya ( 1990) suggest that these higher levels of religious behavior result from the unique social, political, and historical experiences of this population within American society. Consequently, religion has served as a source of comfort and encouragement during tumultuous periods for the race. These levels of religiosity for African Americans also create unique social networks in which church attendance, church membership, and religious affiliation are conducive to feelings of coherence, control of one's life, a sense of belonging, physical health, and self-esteem (Chatters, Levin, & Ellison, 1998; Kllison, 1991, 1993, 1998; Levin, 1994). Research has demonstrated that both nonacademic (Allen, 1988; Hughes, 1987; Oliver, Smith, & Wilson, 1989) and academic (Pascarella, 1980; Pascarella & Terenxini, 1991; Sedlacek, 1987; Tinto, 1987; Tracey & Sedlacek, 1985) factors have contributed to the perceptions by African American students of the racial climate at predominantly White institutions where they are enrolled. These factors, whether positive or negative, contribute to the educational experiences of and subsequent outcomes for African American students. Thus, it is important that this group of students receive support and encouragement, especially through natural settings and environments, such as through religion. One such outlet at the University of Alabama is the Afro-American Gospel Choir. History In the summer of 1971, a group of 12 African American students at the University of Alabama entered a talent show sponsored by the Afro-American Association. They chose to sing a gospel song representative of the source of their faith. During the following fall, some 40 to 50 other students joined the original 12 to form what today is known as the Afro-American Gospel Choir. During its inaugural year, the choir performed concerts in various cities throughout Alabama. Since its inception the Afros, as they are affectionately called, have had a powerful presence on the University of Alabama campus and throughout the southeastern United States. The choir's travels enable them to interact with students at other institutions, represent their own institution, and provide support and encouragement for one another. The choir was founded on the principle of togetherness and has provided support for members to overcome difficulties through faith in God. Membership in the choir is not restricted. Past members included White, international, and non-Christian students. In 2002-2003, membership consisted of 50 young people from Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, and Algeria. This number of active participants makes the choir consistently one of the largest African American student groups on campus. Assessment To gain a better understanding of how the choir influenced the collegiate experiences of the students who participated in it, we conducted in-depth interviews with 15 former members who had graduated from the institution. …
Publication Year: 2004
Publication Date: 2004-10-01
Language: en
Type: article
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