From Hymns to Hip Hop: The religious roots of the Black Lives Matter Movement and musical evolution from Thomas Dorsey to Beyoncé. Christ and Culture (original) (raw)

This paper interrogates the philosophical and theological roots of the Black Lives Matter movement through the lens of Richard Niebuhr's Christ and Culture typologies. It discusses the historical and socio-cultural significance of Black church hymnody and protest music, emphasizing the works of influential figures such as Thomas Dorsey and the connections between music and social justice movements. By exploring how religious expression and musical evolution intertwine, the paper seeks to understand the defining characteristics of Black Christianity and its role in addressing systemic oppression.