So you find a lot of these sixth Americans congregate in these interracial congregations. They hang out together at work, at school,… — Michael Emerson Copy Share Image
I think it's easier, I really do, because of not having that similar history, so that's why I think two-thirds of these… — Michael Emerson Copy Share Image
There's one denomination in particular, though, that has pushed very hard to be multiracial in its denomination - not only its denomination… — Michael Emerson Copy Share Image
If we go into white congregations, non-whites will sometimes say it felt like worship never started. It was sort of dead and… — Michael Emerson Copy Share Image
I certainly think so, and I argue so, and I give talks on that. Are there risks by putting people together? Absolutely.… — Michael Emerson Copy Share Image
Absolutely, although every congregation will say, you know, every worship leader will say it's vital. It's very important, but again these are,… — Michael Emerson Copy Share Image
That's a big fear, right, and when I talk with black pastors, the same thing: If we try to have this move… — Michael Emerson Copy Share Image
Then of course there are bigger things that matter, like who do I see up there in the congregation? Do I see… — Michael Emerson Copy Share Image
There's a lot of terminology, like "washes whiter than snow," and these things which when they're said in a uniracial congregation, they… — Michael Emerson Copy Share Image
So we didn't get the denominations and the separate congregations really till about into Civil War time. What's happened then, of course,… — Michael Emerson Copy Share Image
One of the things we find when we talk to people that attend these congregations, they all have social cost to it.… — Michael Emerson Copy Share Image
So the tradition from Europe is that you're supposed to emphasize the mind over the body, so you sing from a very… — Michael Emerson Copy Share Image
What happens is sometimes these congregations will still have the white style of worship, even though they're mixed, because folks are willing… — Michael Emerson Copy Share Image
It's one of the things we find in these congregations is that they are much more likely to be sort of up-beat… — Michael Emerson Copy Share Image
I see it happen in uniracial congregations all the time. But people - when they're in mixed company, we speak differently. — Michael Emerson Copy Share Image
We're going to see more, and we are seeing more, and I'll tell you exactly why. Not because white and black are… — Michael Emerson Copy Share Image
I see this in the way that sermons are preached. How would you give a Black Nationalist speech or campaign for the… — Michael Emerson Copy Share Image
So one of the profound things we found when studying these congregations, the mixed ones, is just how much overlap and interracial… — Michael Emerson Copy Share Image
Once in a while you get people that maybe because of economic reasons, or have a social network, they get attracted. But… — Michael Emerson Copy Share Image
They could never go back to being a uniracial congregation again. It brings excitement. It brings life. It allows them to be… — Michael Emerson Copy Share Image
So these are the kind of things that now when people are trying to move towards multiracial congregations that they're stressing. They're… — Michael Emerson Copy Share Image
It may be changing, but still it's the one place, that total control of an institution, that African Americans have. So sometimes, you know,… — Michael Emerson Copy Share Image
Call-and-response style, yes, exactly. So whenever different groups get together then there has to be this long period of negotiation. How will we worship?… — Michael Emerson Copy Share Image
I think people respond to villains because people in general are more villainous than heroic. — Michael Emerson Copy Share Image
So you find a lot of these sixth Americans congregate in these interracial congregations. They hang out together at work, at school, wherever. — Michael Emerson Copy Share Image
There are roles that are terrifying because they're large or you may feel that they're out of your line, but I'm never terrified once… — Michael Emerson Copy Share Image
We do not have an American culture. We have a white American culture and a black American culture. So when those two groups try… — Michael Emerson Copy Share Image
I think of myself as a problem-solver. I want to go in and help the director and the writer to get the best they… — Michael Emerson Copy Share Image
But what we found in the study is that churches are ten times less diverse than the neighborhoods they sit in. So there's something… — Michael Emerson Copy Share Image
And different traditions stress different - so then there's that. I talked to an African American who says before she goes into an interracial… — Michael Emerson Copy Share Image
I think it's easier, I really do, because of not having that similar history, so that's why I think two-thirds of these mixed congregations… — Michael Emerson Copy Share Image
There are three things, and it depends on the group that we're talking about, but there's history, there's culture, and then there's social networks.… — Michael Emerson Copy Share Image
I ask the clergy why don't I see myself represented in leadership? And I'm told, and this happens quite a bit, "We don't think… — Michael Emerson Copy Share Image
