Backs Against The Wall: The Howard Thurman Story

Backs Against the Wall: The Howard Thurman Story explores the extraordinary life of a man who, in his heart, was a poet and “mystic.” Yet through his religious expression, Thurman helped ignite sweeping social change. Though he was born the grandson of slaves, Howard Thurman went on to become one of the great spiritual and religious pioneers of the 20th century whose words and influence continues to echo today.
His landmark book, Jesus and the Disinherited, was the first to claim that Jesus Christ - who was born in poverty as part of a powerless minority - lived a life that spoke directly to Black Americans. Martin Luther King, Jr. not only regularly attended Thurman’s services, but he carried Thurman’s writings with him on the historic marches to Selma and Birmingham. King found Thurman to be a treasure and often drew from him in his own speeches and writings. Congressman John Lewis calls Howard Thurman the “patron saint” of the Civil Rights Movement.
In 1935, Howard Thurman made a publicized trip to India and became the first Black man invited to counsel with Mahatma Gandhi. From that meeting, Thurman brought back a vision that helped create a framework for imagining non-violent resistance not just as political strategy but as a lifestyle. That vision provided a direction for the Movement that changed world order.
In his own time, Thurman was a celebrated religious figure with profiles in major magazines like LOOK, Ebony and others. His efforts at the height of World War II to create the nation’s first interfaith, inter-racial church stands as a precursor for many contemporary faith communities. And for millions today who consider themselves “spiritual but not religious,” Thurman’s poetry, meditations, sermons and prayers continue to be wildly popular.
Jesse Jackson, Congressman John Lewis, Otis Moss, Jr and other leaders in the Civil Rights Movement speak throughout the film about Thurman’s “spirit” being foundational. Actor Keith David voices the words and writings of Howard Thurman.

[@SweetscalesEPACompassion]

Thank you ❤

[@kennethisbell4037]

I m reading "Jesus and the Disinherited" now. The book sings. Profound knowledge of the psychology of the oppressed, and how Jesus gave spiritual resources to those 'with their backs against the wall' to resist dehumanization. Full of life examples to illustrate the concepts. Also comes down hard on the use of religion by oppressors as a means of social control.

[@felinefokus]

I am only on chapter 1 in the book. And I am loving this read. I never heard of him. This book stuck out to me as I was browsing books on the public library website.

[@Nuvision19]

I will be studying out this man's work

[@philipstargate]

What a great and courageous leader! I know about this video and work of Howard Thurman through Dr. Andrew Decort of Neighbor Love Movement in Addis Ethiopia. I am a student of His. Thank you for these most valuable lessons

[@sharmainemorris-vsblogs6371]

The world need what make people come alive mr Howard Therman words

[@shursts]

Terrific video. Thank you!

[@jeanettesdaughter]

Been meaning to read him for years.

[@tamashii14]

Is this part of a longer documentary?? Would love to see it!

[@buckeyewill2166]

The father of Black Liberation Theology

[@jeanettesdaughter]

Backs against the wall...dying but fighting back. Well, we've done well with the dying not so well with the fighting back. Hope may be the last thing we lose. Thosevof you who onow know who saidcthat and this: 'I am consoled by the fact that things could be worse, at the same time they could improve.' I am reading Pacifism as Pathology by Ward Churchill, co founder of the Anerican Indian Movement. I'll read some Thurman afterwards. Context is everything. Context.

[@MrBrindleStyle]

Oh - Ward Churchill is astounding!!

[@marselluswallace6597]

Fast forwarding past Oprah.____________________________________>

[@BibleSamurai]

He does not sound like a born again believer

[@majorharris8194]

Imminentism