The Detroit Mass Choir - African American Gospel Song "The Storm Is Passing Over" (Part I - video, information, & lyrics)

 Marcel West, Feb. 16, 2009

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Edited by Azizi Powell

This is Part I of a two part pancocojams series that showcases a 2009 YouTube video of the Detroit Mass Choir's  gospelized* rendition of the 1905 hymn "The Storm Is Passing Over" by African American composer Rev. Dr. Charles Albert Tindley (July 7, 1851 – July 26, 1933).

This post presents information about Charles Albert Tindley is included in this post along with the original lyrics for "The Storm Is Passing Over" .

Donald Vail's contemporary lyrics for "The Storm Is Passing Over" are included in this post The Detroit Mass Choir uses Donald Vail's 1976 gospelized arrangement of that Charles Albert Tindley's 1905 hymn.

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2022/01/detroit-mass-choir-storm-is-passing.html for Part II of this pancocojams series. presents selected comments from this video's discussion thread. I'm particularly interested in comments about the song, the choir compared to contemporary church praise groups". I'm also interested in comments about the choir director and other musicians/singers, and the commenters' use of African American Vernacular English. 

The content of this post is presented for religious, cultural, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to Dr. Charles Albert Tinley for composing numerous hymns including "The Storm Is Passing Over". Thanks also to Donald Vails for his 1976 arrangement of the hymn "The Storm Is Passing Over". Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post. Thanks to the Detroit Mass Choir and to all those who were associated with that video. Also, thanks to the publisher of this video on YouTube.
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This is a complete reprint of a 2022 pancocojams post. That post and Part II of that pancocojams series are still found on this blog. As of July 15, 2026, Part I has no comments and Part I has one comment.
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* "Gospelized hymn" is a term I coined for hymns that are performed in a (usually) African American Gospel style.

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PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S NOTE
The choir in this embeded video was under the direction of Jimmy Dowell from St. James Missionary Baptist Church, Detroit, Michigan. The singers and musicians for this "mass choir" were from choirs belonging various Detroit Michigan Baptist churches. This is probably part of a concert and not at a Sunday morning church service.  

Jimmy Dowell passed in December 2004. A commenter in this video's discussion thread wrote that this video was a "throw back to 1988". Another commenter wrote that ithis singing was "from the 1980s."

The hair styles and clothing styles lend evidence to this video being from the late 1980s or early 1990s. Note for example that at least one of the male singers has dread locks, but the women members in this mass choir don't wear their hair in any natural hair styles (including long extension braids/weaves)

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INFORMATION ABOUT CHARLES ALBERT TINDLEY
From https://anglicancompass.com/the-story-of-our-hymns-the-storm-is-passing-over/ Every Hymn Has a Story:  The Story of Our Hymns: The Storm Is Passing Over
By Keisha Valentina|August 3rd, 2020
"Charles Albert Tindley was born in Berlin, Maryland, on July 7, 1851, to Charles and Hester Tindley. His father was enslaved, and his mother free. Hester died when Charles was very young and he was taken in by his aunt in order to keep his freedom. He worked as a hired hand wherever his father could place him to help the family. He received no formal schooling, but had such an interest in learning he taught himself to read by gathering scraps of newspaper he found alongside the road or in trash bins.

One Sunday he snuck into a nearby church to hear the preaching. When the minister invited all the children to sit up front, he bravely took his place among them despite the shock and discouragement of white parishioners. He was so compelled by the preaching and singing that he began to study even more.

When Charles was seventeen he married Daisy Henry. They had eight children, some of whom would later assist him with the publication of his hymns. In 1875 he and Daisy moved to Philadelphia where Charles’ continued love of learning and for the church led him to take correspondence courses toward becoming a Methodist minister. He began attending school at night and served as a janitor for the East Bainbridge Street Church where he and his wife were also faithful parishioners.

He was a hard worker and passionate about his studies asking friends to tutor him on various subjects. He studied Hebrew and Greek through a local correspondence course with high academic scores despite no college degree. He later said, “I made a rule to learn at least one new thing — a thing I did not know the day before — each day.” In taking his final exams to qualify for ordination, he was among the highest scores.

His first parish was in Cape May, New Jersey where he and his family arrived in the middle of a blizzard. They moved into their house with only a bit of bread to share between them for the evening meal. As they were praying, a knock came at the door and there stood a welcoming committee from the church with much-needed provisions. Charles was inspired to write the hymn “God Will Provide For Me” after this experience.

Methodist ministers who are newly ordained often get moved every few years. Charles presided over several churches before eventually moving back to Philadelphia in 1904 to pastor the very church where he started as a janitor. His return to the congregation as pastor was met with mixed emotions. Yet the 150th-anniversary journal of the congregation states that

“All were pleasantly surprised, for as Tindley mounted the rostrum, wearing a Prince Albert Coat—then the garb of many African American Protestant preachers—he had the dignified bearing acquired during his previous appointments. They were further surprised when Tindley delivered a masterful, soul gripping sermon that brought loud Amens and praise God exclamations from his listeners.”

Tindley often introduced original hymns alongside his sermons. His influence and passion drew people of multiple races and denominations. The congregation of about 130 members grew rapidly under his leadership to more than ten thousand attendees, the largest congregation in his region.

Alongside his preaching duties, Tindley was a community leader unafraid to take on the issues of the day. He led a protest against the silent film “Birth Of A Nation” which had caused racial unrest across the country. Tindley and other clergy marched through the city and were met with an angry white mob that violently attacked them. Charles knew that protest alone would not further his cause so he built good relationships with influential people among the white political and business hierarchy of Philadelphia. He raised money to help the needy, opening one of the city’s first soup kitchens giving away over 500 meals every evening allowing the homeless to get hot baths and clothes from the church basement. He and his parishioners also created a savings and loan to help African Americans buy their own homes.

The church continued to grow at such a rate that they outgrew their existing building and moved a few blocks away to a bigger sanctuary. His wife Daisy died the day they moved into the new church. He eventually remarried and the church continued to grow under his leadership until his death in 1933. The church was renamed Tindley Temple in his honor and is still active to this day.

He is buried in Philadelphia with a large memorial engraved with the words “Beams Of Heaven As I Go” from one of his most beloved hymns.

[...]

Often called the “Grandfather of black gospel music,” Tindley’s hymns focus on Christ’s saving promises amid life’s troubling storms. Two of his most well-known hymns are “We’ll Understand It Better By and By” and “Stand By Me.” His hymn “I’ll Overcome Someday” was the inspiration for the protest and Civil Rights anthem “We Shall Overcome.”"...

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ORIGINAL LYRICS FOR "THE STORM IS PASSING OVER"

1 Courage, my soul, and let us journey on,
Tho’ the night is dark it won’t be very long.
Thanks be to God, the morning light appears,
And the storm is passing over, Hallelujah!

Refrain:

Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
The storm is passing over,
Hallelujah!

2 Billows rolling high, and thunder shakes the ground,
Lightning's flash and tempest all around,
Jesus walks the sea and calms the angry waves,
And the storm is passing over, Hallelujah! [Refrain]

3 The stars have disappeared, and distant lights are dim,
My soul is filled with fears, the seas are breaking in.
I hear the Master cry, "Be not afraid, ’tis I,"
And the storm will soon be over, Hallelujah! [Refrain]

4 Soon we shall reach the distant shining shore,
Free from all the storms we’ll rest forevermore.
Safe within the veil, we’ll furl the riven sail,
And the storms will all be over, Hallelujah! [Refrain]

Source: Songs of Zion #58

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INFORMATION ABOUT "THE STORM IS PASSING OVER" INCLUDING INFORMATION ABOUT DONALD VAIL'S ARRANGEMENT OF THAT HYMN
From https://www.hymnologyarchive.com/storm-is-passing-over 
..."Origins. This hymn by Charles Albert Tindley (1851–1933) was first published in his collection Soul Echoes (1905). Like many classic hymns, including Tindley’s “We’ll understand it better by and by” or Horatio Spafford’s “It is well with my soul,” this text draws on the imagery of storm and sea, especially the biblical account of Jesus calming the sea in Matthew 8:23-27. The musical arrangement in the original printing was by one of Tindley’s close collaborators, Francis A. Clark, otherwise known at the time as Professor F.A. Clark. The fourth stanza appeals to a heavenly rest from all storms.

Adaptation. This hymn is known to modern worshipers in a very different form, an adaptation by Donald Vails for the Donald Vails Choraleers, published on his album In Deep Water (Savoy Records SL-14421, 1976 ). The song was also included on his album Yesterday, Today, and Forever (Sound of Gospel, 1985). For his arrangement, Vails only used the words of the first stanza and the refrain, and he rewrote the melody. This is the version of the hymn which is most often performed by choirs and appears in modern hymnals, such as the African American Heritage Hymnal (2001). "

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CONTEMPORARY LYRICS FOR THE DONALD VAILS ARRANGEMENT OF "THE STORM IS PASSING OVER"

Encourage my soul 
and let us jouney on.
For the night is dark,
and I am far from home.
Thanks be to God
The morning light appears.

The storm is passing over.
The storm is passing over.
The storm is passing over,
Hallelu….

Halelujah
Ha-le-lu-jah
The storm is passing over
Hallelu…
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The words "O courage my soul" or "Have courage my soul" are sometimes used instead of "Encourage my soul". 

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This concludes Part I of this two part pancocojams series.

Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

"Hey Hey Nolan Wells" - A Non-Military Commemorative Cadence That Was Composed By A Black Hebrew Israelite Group (Videos & Lyrics)

IUIC: Boots on the ground for Nolan Wells | Ocean Springs Mississippi

12TribesRepent, Jul 13, 2026  MOSS POINT

The Son's Of God had boots on the ground in Moss Point , MS for the Nolan Wells protest to show unity and to teach our people who we are according to the Bible.

So for all of you bought and paid for Apologetics, Fake Pastors, wanna be content creators and some of you Israelite Camps where y'all at? I know, at home watching the Cartoon Network.
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"IUIC" Israel United In Christ [This is the name of the group (congregation) of men who are marching and chanting.

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Edited by Azizi Powell

Latest update: July 16, 2026

This pancocojams post presents information about Nolan Wells, the African American teen that drown early July 2026 under suspicious circumstances.

This post presents the lyrics of "Hey Hey Nolan Wells" that are included in the captions of one of the videos of the march in which that cadence was chanted.

My conclusions about what the lyrics of that cadence  mean and why that cadence was composed. 

Much of this pancocojams post focuses on the fact that online documentation indicates that the "Hey Hey Nolan Wells" cadence was composed by and first chanted by men who are part of a Mississippi group of Black Hebrew Israelites.

The content of this post is presented for historical and socio-cultural purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to the composers of this non-military commemorative cadence. Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to all those who are providing support and help to Nolan Wells' family and friends. Rest in peace and power, Nolan Wells.
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Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2026/07/how-black-american-teen-nolan-wells.html for the pancocojams post entitled "How Black American Teen Nolan Well's Death Is Being Factored Into Conversations Black Parents Have With Their Children About Racism In The United States".

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DISCLAIMER #1
The cadence "Hey Hey Nolan Wells" appears to have been composed by members of a Black Hebrew Israelite congregation (also known as Hebrew Israelites).

This pancocojams post doesn't state or imply that Nolan Wells or his family were Black Hebrew Israelites. I believe that the protest march in Ocean Springs, Mississippi and in Moss Point, Mississippi on July 12, 2026 was open to community participants. The group of Black Hebrew Israelites participated in that march as members of that community.

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DISCLAIMER #2
The cadence "Hey Hey Nolan Wells" appears to have been composed by members of a Black Hebrew Israelite congregation (also known as Hebrew Israelites).

I have never been a member of that religious denomination. Furthermore, I don't know anyone who is now or has ever been a member of that religious denomination.

I only know about that denomination via the internet.

I welcome any additions and corrections about the information about Black Hebrew Israelites that is given in this pancocojams post.

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SOME INFORMATION ABOUT NOLAN WELLS
From https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/what-we-know-about-death-of-nolan-wells-black-teen-who-went-missing-on-mississippi-boat-trip "What we know about death of Nolan Wells, Black teen who went missing on Mississippi boat trip" By Maria Ramirez Uribe, Jul 10, 2026
"The family of Nolan Wells, a Black teenager who was found dead after going missing on an island in Mississippi, made an emotional plea Friday for an honest, thorough investigation in a case that has captured national attention over its unanswered questions.

[...]

Wells, an 18-year-old described by his parents as having a big heart, went out on a boat with three friends who were white on July 4 before going missing. His body was found on July 6.

[...]

Authorities have said they believe Wells drowned and don't suspect foul play.

Throughout the news conference, Crump described "glaring contradictions" in the witnesses' accounts of Wells' disappearance, related to whether he stayed on or left the island, why he didn't have his phone with him and the very idea that a young athlete who knew how to swim would drown.

[…]

Wells-Wonsley said she tracked down her son's phone using Life 360 and found the phone on land at one of his friends' houses who had been on the boat with him.

"What teenager would leave their phone behind if they're gonna stay on this island?" Crump asked.

Wells-Wonsley said she believes messages were deleted off her son's phone after finding no saved photos or videos on Snapchat from that day. She said that was concerning because it would be unusual for her son not to capture the day on his phone.”…

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BLACK HEBREW ISRAELITES AND THE COMMEMORATIVE CADENCE "HEY HEY NOLAN WELLS"
The first documented performance of the non-military cadence "Hey Hey Nolan Wells" is by a group of Hebrew Israelite men during the July 12, 2026 community protest march in Ocean Springs, Mississippi and in Moss Point, Mississippi.  

The website for the group marching and chanting is given in Showcase video #1 as www.israelunite.org. That group's name is Israel United In Christ (IUIC). 

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GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT BLACK HEBREW ISRAELITES

From AI Overview [retrieved July 15, 2026] 

"AI Overview
Black Hebrew Israelites are a decentralized religious movement whose followers believe that African Americans and other minority groups are the true, genealogical descendants of the ancient Israelites. Emerging in the late 19th century, the diverse movement combines elements of Christianity, Judaism, and their own cultural interpretations

While the movement is diverse, here is an overview of its core beliefs and history:

Core Beliefs

Lineage and Heritage: Followers believe that the Transatlantic slave trade was a literal fulfillment of biblical curses (such as Deuteronomy 28), which scattered the true Israelites into slavery across the globe.

Theological Focus: Many factions assert that Jesus and the ancient Israelites were people of color, and that mainstream Jewish people are not the true descendants of Abraham.

Practices: Adherence to this philosophy varies widely; many sects observe Sabbath on Saturdays, adopt Hebrew names, and incorporate traditional dietary laws"
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Click https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Hebrew_Israelites for some information about Black Hebrew israelites.

Some Black Hebrew Israelites are anti-Semitic while some are not.

Some Black Hebrew Israelites- such as Israel United In Christ (IUIC) who composed and chanted the cadence "Hey Hey Nolan Wells"-consider themselves Christians. Some other Black Hebrew Israelites don't consider themselves to be Christians..

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PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE MEN WHO WERE VIDEOTAPED/PHOTOGRAPHED CHANTING "HEY HEY NOLAN WELLS" AT THAT MISSISSIPPI PROTEST MARCH
I've come several videos and one Facebook photograph collage of Black men who are members of a Black Hebrew Israelite congregation chanting "Hey Hey Nolan Wells" in an Ocean Springs, Mississippi community protest march. I have also come across several Instagram posts about this group of Black Hebrew Israelite men chanting "Hey Hey Nolan Wells".

This group of men from the Black Hebrew In Christ congregation participated in that city's protest march on July 12, 2026 that was held to support the demand for justice for the tragic death of Black American teen Nolan Wells who lived in that community.

Based on some of the videos that I watched, it appears that around one hundred young adults or middle aged Black men from the Israel United In Christ congregation participated in that city's protest event by marching down that city's main street in military formation.

The largest portion of that group wore black pants and a purple shirt with the words "Israel Unido En Christo" (Spanish for "Israel United In Christ") written in gold letters. One man from that group walking besides that group of marchers wore a red vest on top of his shirt. A smaller number of men wore black pants with black shirts that had the group's name written in white letters.  All of the men wore black boots. Most of the men wore sun glasses.

In one video that I watched one man carried a long walking stick. Another man appears to be carrying a speaker on his back, and one man [the caller for their cadence] spoke into a small hand held microphone.

None of the group carried any signs or banners. In spite of their military formation, the group had no weapons. And- in stark contrast to the White supremist who marched in Washington, D. C. on July 4, 2026- the Black men in that Black Hebrew Israelite group didn't cover their face with a mask.

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DESCRIPTION OF THE "HEY HEY NOLAN WELLS" CADENCE
The cadence "Hey Hey Nolan Well" is modeled after thr call & response textual (word) structure as United States call & response military cadences ("jodies") in which the calls chants a line and the troops repeat that exact same line or another short line.

The tune for the commemorative cadence "Hey Hey Nolan Wells" is similar to the United States military cadence "Hey Hey Captain Jack". Click  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IborDZYkXU4&list=RDIborDZYkXU4&start_radio=1 "Hey, Hey Captain Jack (Special Forces) Documentary Recordings, Aug 30, 2016 for an sound file of that U.S. Army cadence.

The video versions of "Hey Hey Nolan Wells" that I've come across have a moderate tempo. 

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SHOWCASE YOUTUBE VIDEOS OF MARCHERS CHANTING "HEY HEY NOLAN WELLS"
These examples  are given in no particular order. The lyrics are my attempted transcription of those videos.

VIDEO #1
This video is given at the top of this post.

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VIDEO #2 - We won’t forget about Nolan Wells"

@iuicmobilealabama676 Jul 12, 2026 

https://youtube.com/shorts/Jqr_Zy5qfl8?si=yzfUyGOnzqqPUO70

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LYRICS FOR "HEY HEY NOLAN WELLS -Version #1

[ as chanted by members of Israel United In Christ (IUIC) ]. 

Call - Hey hey Nolan Wells
Response- Hey hey Nolan Wells
Call - Hey hey eh Nolan Wells
Response-  Hey hey eh Nolan Wells
Call -This group knows the truth
Response- -This group knows the truth
Call- They can't lie to you.
Response-They can't lie to you.
Call - Hey hey Nolan Wells
Response- Hey hey Nolan Wells
Call - Hey hey eh Nolan Wells
Response-  Hey hey eh Nolan Wells
Call -This group knows the truth
Response- This group knows the truth
Call- They can't lie to you. [probable meaning- "They can't lie about you."]
Response- They can't lie to you
Call- We left that church
Response -We left that church
Call -This is how we go
Response-This is how we go
Call- The pastor was there when I left
Response-You're right
Call- The pastor was there when I left.
Response-You're right.
Call- The elder was there when I left.
Response-You're right.
Call- The elder was there when I left.
Response-You're right.
Call - Hey hey Nolan Wells
Response- Hey hey Nolan Wells
Call - Hey hey eh Nolan Wells
Response-  Hey hey eh Nolan Wells
Call -Let's go, Nolan Wells
Response- Let's go, Nolan Wells
-snip-
The chant continued with words that weren't given in the captions. The only words that were given are "Call- It's been 200 years/ Call- 1619"
-snip-
There are different versions of this cadence, probably because the group was videotaped at different junctions of this march while chanting different portions of the same cadence.

Please share additions and corrections for these lyrics. Thanks.

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LYRICS FOR "HEY HEY NOLAN WELLS -Version #2*

[ as chanted by members of Israel United In Christ (IUIC) ]

Call -Hi-di-hi-di-hi-di-hey

Response- Hi-di-hi-di-hi-di-hey

Call - God is on the way

Response- - God is on the way

Call -Hallelujah

Response- Hallelujah

Call- Hallelu-u-jah

Response- Hallelu-u-jah

Call- Hey Hey-eh Nolan Wells

Response- Hey hey-eh Nolan Wells

Call- Hey hey Nolan Wells
-snip-
These lines were chanted in the video given as Showcase video #2 in this pancocojams post.

Please share additions and corrections for these lyrics. Thanks.

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PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S NOTES ABOUT THIS CADENCE

1. This cadence provides an opportunity for this group of Black men in that community to honor the life of Nolan Wells and "show up and show out" (show up to support his family and friends in a very powerful and memorable way). 

This non-military cadence is modeled after United States military cadences (also known as "jodies". "Jodies" are call & response compositions that were first created during World War I by African American army Private Willie Duckworth.

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2. This cadence provides an opportunity for members of that religious group to assure Nolan Wells' family and friends that they and others in the community supports their efforts to seek justice in this case..
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3. This cadence includes lyrics that testify to the group's religious beliefs, including that God being "on the way" (meaning "God is coming soon") to bring justice in this case and for other reasons.

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SELECTED COMMENTS FROM THE DISCUSSION THREADS OF THESE TWO SHOWCASE VIDEOS

SHOWCASE VIDEO #1
from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGYLC_nz2Uc&t=42s

Numbers are added for referencing purposes only. 

1. @lunawalker1165, July 13, 2026
"This gave me chills.  All Praises to the Most High. Boot on the ground for NOLAN WELLS"

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2.Alyisha6, July 14, 2026
"APTTMH for IUIC for sending your mighty warriors for our  young one Nolan."
-snip-
APTTMH = "All praises to the Most High"

IUIC - "Israel United In Christ"

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3. @ECCL7_7. July 14, 2026
"These are the MIGHTY MEN OF GOD and We are the Children of God"

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4. @OBEAHMAN_DREAD
"THANK YOU ALL @IUIC. AND ALL @IUIC 12 TRIBES REPENT. !!!"

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5. @AH-only-1, July 14, 2026
"Wow always showing up for the people 😌💯"

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6. @LaRonTrotter25, July 14, 2026
"All praises to The Most High God and Christ"

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7. @grobinson8873, July 14, 2026
"ALL PRAISES MIGHTY MEN OF THE MOST HIGH WAKE UP OUR PEOPLE!!!!!!!"

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8.@Judah.Princes, July 14, 2026
"The Word of the Lord is powerful truth!!

My condolences to the Nolan Wells family."

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9.@LeeRedd-f8m, July 14, 2026
"Thank you so much Mighty Prophets.  For standing up for brother Nolan Wells. Shalom 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥

🔥 🔥"

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10. @millersydneymillersydney6440, July 14, 2026
"THE ARMY OF TMHG"
-snip-
"TMHG" = The Most High God"

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11. @SergB73, July 14, 2026
"Looking strong brothers❤All Praises to the Most High God and his son Christ!💞✊🏾✊🏾✊🏾✊🏾"

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12. @adayaisrael5529, July 14, 2026
"Apttmh The Army Of The Living God Is Back In The Earth To Take Our Kingdom Back In Righteousness Giving Our People The Answers They've Been Searching For All I Could Do Is Cry Throughout The Whole Teaching Because IUIC Are The Only Ones That's Always Stepping Up For Our People Giving Us The Medicine We Need Giving Us Our True Identity Back And Giving Us The True Reason Why We As A People Suffer And Are Hated So Much And What We Need To Do As A People To Get Back Right With OUR GOD I Love 💕 You Mighty Prophets And May God Always Watch Over You"

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13. @mrbig809, July 14, 2026
"I must say this camp's putting in that work!! That in your face work! Not hiding behind that screen trying to look all holier than thou!"

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14. @JOSEPHIsrael-z6s, jULY 14, 2026
"APTTMHG this is so powerful we really fight for our people and care for our people and truly waking our people and we doing it all through the Bible JUSTICE FOR NOLAN WELLS"

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15.@lindajones684, July 15, 2026
"Thank you Brothers🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾!!! Praying for justice for Nolan Wells!"

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16. @aiahsdaughter6597, July 15, 2026
"DOING GOD'S MINISTRY...BOOTS ON THE GROUND...GO IUIC!!!✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️✨️🕊

 

✨️Luke 4:18

[18]The SPIRIT of the LORD is UPON ME, because he HATH ANOINTED ME to PREACH the GOSPEL to THE POOR; HE HATH SENT ME to HEAL the BROKENHEARTED, to PREACH DELIVERANCE to THE CAPTIVES, and RECOVERING of SIGHT to the BLIND, to SET at LIBERTY THEM THAT are BRUISED,"

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17. @mlna-r1f, July 15, 2026
"Not a protest ❌ but support and transformative knowledge and conscienceness of our true Identity 🙏🏾✊🏾🔥🔥🔥🔥"

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18. @akivaisrael4222, July 15, 2026
"THANK YOU MIGHTY PROPHETS ❤️"

**

19.@floydepps2658, July 15, 2026
"I stand with you Brothers. Cuz he is my little brother"

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20.@GregoryChatman-c9w, jULY 20, 2026
"Rest in Paradise God Bless your soul in Jesus Christ Name 🙌🏿 🙏🏿 ❤️ 🩵 💐🖤🎆🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿"

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SHOWCASE VIDEO #2
from https://youtube.com/shorts/Jqr_Zy5qfl8?si=yzfUyGOnzqqPUO70 “We won’t forget about Nolan Wells" by @iuicmobilealabama676, July 12, 2026 [Given as Showcase video #2 in this pancocojams post] 

Numbers are added for referencing purposes only.

1.AdenaIsrael, July 13, 2026
"Come onnnnnnn 🔥🔥🔥, 

These men are always outside teaching, warning, standing up for our communities. This world does not deserve them… But those of us that understand how risky this movement is appreciate you men so much! Thank you for everything 🥰"
-snip-
Notice the word "Israel" in this screen name and in some other screen names that are quoted in this post and in these discussion threads for other people who are probably Hebrew Israelites (also referred to as "Black Hebrew Israelites"). 

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2. @Yaphah-NaahIsrael, July 12, 2026
"Thank you!!!, so much Prophets, God 's kingdom!!!!!!! is on the way.

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3. @kaylove1919, July 13, 2026
"Mighty Prophets of TMH 🤴🏾💪🏾🔥"
-snip-
"TMH" = The Most High (a referent to God)

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4. @IsraeliteKidsAcademy-DFW, July 13, 2026
"APTTMHG!!! Thank you for always supporting and representing May the Most High GOD be with you!"
-snip-
"APTTMHG" ="All Praises To The Most High God"a profound declaration deeply rooted in the belief that there is one supreme Creator

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5.@NemoUnbroken, July 12, 2026
"Israel united in Christ?😂😂😂😂😂 uhhh is someone gonna let them know that Israel doesnt believe in Christ"

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Reply
6. @noahissacharisrael9048, July 13, 2026
" "Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;" John 8:31 KJV

The people of Israel we know of today are called "Israelis", inhabitants of Israel. They're NOT THE ANCIENT ISRAELITES. So-called Blacks, Hispanics, Native Americans are the TRUE Israelites, according to Deuteronomy 28:15-68."

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Reply
7. @hisisraelite3992, July 13, 2026
"⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️

InDeed 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥"

****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

Essence Fest 2026 Was A Flop: Comments About The Demise Of This Once Great Black Arts Festival

Reese Waters, Jul 8, 2026  #blackculture #essencefest #neworleans

The Essence Festival of Culture kicked off last weekend in New Orleans and they did everything they could to erase the debacle of Essence Fest 2025. Michelle Obama sitting down with Keke Palmer, an Aaliyah tribute, Cardi B, Teyana Taylor and more. But that didn't stop the bad press, from Vendors feeling left out to attendees feeling shut out, to Black Americans feeling ignored.

The idea that Black American women have been ignored for the wider African diaspora, as reflected in new ownership was the theme online, as commentary poured in from NOLA. In fact, there has been talk of an Essence Fest boycott since last year and it only got louder. 

****
Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post showcases two YouTube videos about the failure of the Essence Festival 2026,

This post also presents some comments from the discussion threads of those two videos. Most of these comments are from Foundational Black Americans.*

The content of this post is presented for historical and socio-cultural purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post. Thanks also to all those who produced and published these videos on YouTube.
-snip-
*Foundational Black Americans (FBA) -Americans who have at least one ancestor who was enslaved in the United States before 1865.

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2025/07/calls-forthe-black-american-community.html for the closely related pancocojams post entitled "Calls For The Black American Community To Boycott The Essence Fest Because It Has Changed Its Focus From A Black American Women's Cultural Festival To A Nigerian Centered "Global" Cultural Festival"

****
SELECTED COMMENTS FROM SHOWCASE VIDEO #1
These comments are given in chronological order, except for replies.

Numbers are given for referencing purposes only.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7t-D4fu3Fuo&t=1007s

July 9, 2026

1. @Xrre343k7a3s
"I'm Gen X and was here the first year Essence came into being. It was always on the coffee table, in a half-fanned circle, and was a mirror of what my mom and her generation worked to achieve.. Essence has not been Essence for more than a decade actually. I can't say when it went south, but I know it hasn't been a source of authenticity and inspiriation for many moons."

**
Reply
2. @angel-delight-321
"I use to look forward to buying the Essence magazine in the 90s.

My favorite cover was the one with Tyson Beckford and Gary Dourdan, had me drooling for weeks 🤣

Gatekeeping has a purpose."

**
3. @oneshoewoo
"Thanks for the background info. They transferred ownership and didn't print it in their magazine. Long-term subscriber. Done!"

**
Reply
4. @RochellePorter
"Why would they print it in their magazine? The sale was well documented. Essence was sold in 2000 to Time, Inc. (a very white company) by its Black American publishers. Richelieu acquired it from Time in 2018 with the proceeds from the Unilever sale."
-snip-
Richelieu Dennis is a Black man from Liberia, West Africa.

**
5. @Wonderful6950
"Ebony, Jet, Black Enterprise, and Fashion Fair are gone and the 'investors' removed any memory of these companies."

**
Reply
6. @Gerberdaisy77
"Don’t forget BET."

**
Reply
7. @lynneanderson4255
"And it's so sad to see. I had no idea that this was going on with the Essence Festival.  I used to go back in the 1990s when it was called the Essence Music Festival."

**
8. @JP-jd8wr
"They say we don't have culture while they steal our slang, music, fashion, hairstyles, food, etc. Make it make sense."

**
Reply
9. @KimAnybé,  July 12, 2026
"Your music ? It’s based on African polyrhythms brought over by Africans and carried on by their descendants. Same with clave, call & response etc.

Your hairstyle ? Are you kidding? None of the box braids, cornrows, etc., are yours—you copied them from West Africans in the 1970s. No one in the African American community in the U.S. wore braids before 1970 and the Black Power movement. In Africa, braids had existed for thousands of years.

There’s an obvious lack of cultural understanding here, which explains these delusional claims."

**
Reply
10. @MsShannonashley,  July 14, 2026
"@KimAnybé And today it’s become the most globally recognized music, hair, fashion and style because of BLACK AMERICANS. Not some 500yr old alleged inspiration from Africa. You’re welcome."

**
11. @fee9043
"The Essence brand has slowly gone downhill since Susan Taylor retired."

**
Reply
12. @tlmurraywrites
"She was an editor, not an owner & she promoted the festival last year.  She's also first generation Caribbean, which didn't seem to be a problem during her tenure, but would likely rile the FBA's & such now.

The ridiculousness..."

**
Reply
13. @starrgranby6104
"@tlmurraywrites you made absolutely no sense.. but keep embarrassing yourself.  Susan understood and respected BA Culture."

**
Reply
14. @tlmurraywrites
"You completely misunderstood my comment. Taylor is AA AND 1st Gen Caribbean, which used to be non-problematic. In the current negative internet climate she'd get the same pushback as Dennis.

She's an amazing human & she absolutely supported EssenceFest last year."

**
15. @bahramshafighi
"I have no problem with who owns Essence. I have a problem with the fact that Essence is turning into Pan-African culture and not focused on Black American culture. I love my African ancestry. I love African culture in and of itself. But this particular event, Essence Fest, is not about Pan-African, it is about Black American,  and it needs to stay that way."

**
Reply
16. @lanoshajordan6722, July 10, 2026
"Yes, that's the issue I have with it."

**
Reply
17. @michaelwilliams8118
"Really now! Nothing wrong with Pan African culture. "Black American" culture has its roots in Africa. Food, dance and music to name a few."

**
Reply
18. @busimaseko4598
"@michaelwilliams8118   Yes but its not the same culture. Black Americans have had their own journey past Africa and deserve to hold that up without it being diluted by Africa!! Why is Pan-Africanism so rapey??!! always imposing upon group identities regardless of their protests? NO, Black Americans have their shared history apart and deserve respect and recognition for that for its own sake"

**
19. @CandieP
"Why are black Americans keep going to this?"

**
Reply
20. @bruny702
"When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time."

**
Reply
21. @laykni
"Because they don’t know what’s going on now they only know what it used to represent and what it used to be"

**
22. @chosentowin1940
"Went last year!! Complete disappoint!!! Never going back!!!"

**
23. @ijgibbs
"Why are FBA'S still attending a festival that doesn't respect us at all."

**
Reply
24. @Drega001
"Like the BET awards?"

**
Reply
25. @lilithscar355
"Most people don't know what happened"

**
26. @ThekimG313
"Co opted = Highjacked . Haven’t people been paying attention to what’s been going on for a while now?"

**
27. @msprettys9216
"This was said last year, so why did ppl still go?? I’m not surprised at all.

**
Reply
 28. @VictoriaWinge
"Not all of us will be on code IMO."

**
Reply
29. @charlenea.davidson1199
"Maybe they were hopeful that the owner of Essence heard the feedback from last year and was gonna improve. 2nd chance."

**
@maoconn7
30. "Essence Fest is no longer ours. Definitely time for FBA Fest."

**
Reply
31. @bellacea6690, July 10, 2026
"Absolutely"

**
Reply
32. @missmichel-a, July 12, 2026
"This would be great. It needs to stay focused solely on Black American culture"

**
33. @sonene4416
"It was the same last year. It was all over the internet. I do not understand why so many people are there? This festival is not for Black Americans anymore."

**
34. @tlmurraywrites
"What aspect of it "wasn't for African Americans" applies this year?"

**
Reply
35. @theinvisiblewoman5709, July 10, 2026
" @tlmurraywrites well Target being there for 1 since it’s been largely boycotted by Black Americans. Also the lack of independent small business owners who are Black Americans (not African immigrants)."

**
Reply
 36. @tlmurraywrites, July 10, 2026
"@theinvisiblewoman5709  This was the 3rd year of a contract that predates the boycott.

 How do you know that there we "mostly immigrant vendors?" "

**
37. @zakiyahamahad7404
"The fact that Target was there during a boycott says everything. This is what happens when you don't gatekeep the culture."

**
38. @heysimmone
"They charged the small biz vendors all that money only to direct the crowd to the big corporate sponsors. Who didn't see that coming?"

**
39. @darylk9128
"A large problem for me is that other cultures that come to America have absolutely no respect for Black Americans or their culture ."

**
Reply
40. @reesewaters
"but yet want to mimic it and commodify it so badly"

**
Reply
41. @Worldcitizen92, July 10,  2026
"@reesewaters This make the argument worst.. the Liberian owner has an English name, which makes me think he belongs to the african american  that were resettled in Liberia... the nations first president was joseph jenkins roberts , an african american..african american established an elit that mirrored racial and class issues .. heavily opressing the indigeneous liberian. Check the history of liberia. he is y'all brother😂! Some ignorant africans may have this outlook on african americans but I remember africans being constantly bullied and diminished by blacks for years in the us (all the way til 2013 at least)... so when they retaliate, all of the sudden they are the devil.

****
July 10, 2026

42. @herFLYness79
"My auntie always talked about how awesome EssenceFest was. Now I won't be able to enjoy it. I feel like them folk ruined it on purpose 🤦🏾‍♀️."

**
43. @eboneeprice9908
"Essence fest I thought was a music festival branded for the celebration of and the uplifting of black women.  I was under the impression that there were panels and vendors to educate and encourage all facets of black women(ness)!  This year more than any year I would have thought the theme would be mental health, wealth and wellness due to financial attack that this administration has intentionally inflicted on black women.  But what do I know.  I have an issue with CBCF for the same reason it’s a party without purpose as well and black people do run this so here where are."

**
44. @deniseoates7147
"I stop going when they would only sell the concerts in a package and we like the option to attend one night only, way to control expense for trip. 

There are a few hotels on Bourbon Street and that would have to be crazy to be in that hot climate without A/C and the dark.  Hope no one was in the elevators when this happened.

I hate this setup for the vendors where they were basically by looking separated to the back of convention space.  They should not have the 3 large vendors be the first booths all in the same area as you walk in because it does not promote crowd flow, people should have to walk past the other booths to get to Tide and then they have to walk past other booths to get Target.  Basically, big major booths should be in all 4 corners to keep it from being crowded at entrance."

**
45. @shernette32
"I noticed in the last couple of years there have been little to no promotion and advertisement for Essence Fest."

**
46. @COACHERIC365
"Essence Fest MUST return to FBA LEADERSHIP/VISION... 🇺🇲✊🏾❤️"

**
47. @therealcatali
"Sounds like we need some new black festivals & magazines"

**
Reply
48. @ILoveReadingbooks2026, July 12, 2026
"Agreed, I believe the Younger generation will start this. One thing that I admire about the younger generation is that they wait for NO ONE. If they want to see the change; they do it themselves. Shout out to them forreal!"

**
Reply
49. @erosnectar5481, July 13, 2026
"I’m Haitian and i agree! This pissed me off… the least they can do is respect Black American culture! 😣"

**
Reply
50. @bluubird7077, July 13, 2026
"@erosnectar5481 I feel the same. Honor the culture."

****
July 11, 2026

51. @foodiegal9923
"The real conversation is why are you letting this happen? I keep seeing comments that say ‘they never let us have nothing…’ ‘they are culture vultures’.

Ok, well, time to have a hard conversation within Black American communities as to why you allow this to happen. I say ‘allow’ because there’s power in money but you are spending it in the wrong places and investing in nothing"

****
July 12, 2026

52. @sheanelson4769
"YOU KNEW THIS LAST YEAR"

**
53. @PTLV-xv3xs
"WHY DID WE GO BACK THIS YEAR!!  IT WAS BAD LAST YEAR. SMH."

****
July 13,  2026

54. @enyc9
"This might be the unpopular comment but... I'm not with the idea of just saying "ok" and creating a 'new' festival. No.  'We' have always had everything taken or stolen from Us and now THIS... From who?  No.  There needs to be a 'changing of the guards' in this situation.  Its ours, and should stay Ours."

**
55. @stephencooper1003
"Let's get to the meat of the problem . All that this lady was saying . Raised a question . How did black essence. A wholly owned black company. End up in the hands of Africa ??? Let's start with and answer that question.  Talking and going around the circle but not telling what NEEDS to be said. Everybody's complaining about what Africans are doing to essence fest. But again .  How did ownership end up in the hands of Africa???"

****
July 14, 2026

56. @JadenKaye
"I learned about this three years ago, but thanks for informing the rest of us. I grew up with Essence magazine from the beginning as a young girl and subscribed for decades. That ended when I learned about this sellout. My Lord, they create for us and then sell out to those who weren't interested in us, hence their efforts to create Essence, Miele, etc."

**
57. @forrestsmith3640
"ALL THOSE OFF CODE FBA'S!!! WE'RE NOT SUPPOSE TO BE PARTICIPATING IN THE ESSENCE FEST!!! ALL THOSE OFF CODE FBA'S STILL PARTICIPATING!!! WE ON CODE FBA'S , DON'T CARE TO HEAR YOUR COMPLAINTS!!!"

**
58. @coryjackson6944
"Oh well..

It was great when Susan Taylor was editor ❤️"

****
SHOWCASE VIDEO #2 -  Essence Festival Is FLOPPING Hard: Black Americans Walk Away Unbothered

Liam Bernard, Jul 12, 2026

WARNING- This video includes some profanity.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3FTgmwmMlE

These comments are given in chronological order, except for replies.

Numbers are given for referencing purposes only.

July 13, 2026

@kevinmodkins9623
"The Essence Festival has lost its Essence.👀"

**
@jenniferross3725
"Essence, Ebony. Jet magazine was everything to black ppl especially on the living room tables it was a staple and I use to order Essence magazines but those days are over"

**
@T.DelGado
"Once essence was no longer Black American owned I never watched again."

**
@menelikmorton8597
"Essence Magazine was founded by Edward Lewis , Clarence O. Smith, Cecil Hollingsworth and Johnathan Blount (1968) later published in 1970...for African - American's. Susan Taylor (Caribbean) was a CEO and Chief editor...of the Magazine. Yes, we should have bought it... Black American Freedmen/ women."

**
@vashtic8139
"I DON'T HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THE MAGAZINE OR THE FESTIVAL I FELT THE DISCONNECT YEARS AGO AND DIDN'T KNOW THEY HAD A NEW OWNER THAT NOT OUR ESSENCE"

**
@reynaldo7753
"Hey Blacks, Make A New Fest In Atlanta, Keep It FBA Only, Call It Atlanta Fest Get Some Positive Black Speakers & Entertainers, Bring Back The Time, SOS Band, Alexander O'Neal & Cherrelle, George Clinton & Bootsy & da Funk Mob, Bring Kendrick Lamar & Other Positive Rappers Like That To Uplift The Festival, AMEN❤️"

**
Reply
@trenee23000
"Definitely not Atlanta."

**
Reply
@nubiannile4606
"@trenee23000

Then where?"

**
@xanus34
"They said they bought it they could do what they want with it and we said OK, no problem. We don't need to talk anymore. Now y'all broke."

**
@AdamsE464
"Take the festival to Africa! We don't need it. We are forming the the Foundational Black American Festival!!"

**

@AbundanceCt504
"My black ppl we are not African. So please stop saying African American.

 

We are black ppl, Israelites, Hebrew ✊🏾. The chosen ppl of YAHAWAH 💪🏾"

**
@Chosen-1619
"As a delta native from Mississippi, recognize that New Orleans culture is not my immediate culture and I respect it. I understand that it is not my place as a Mississippi native to dictate New Orleans festivals like essence festival.  but for some reason our fellow FBAs who aren’t even from the south try to allow all these foreigners into our culture and look at the mess it caused! My heart goes out to my beautiful New Orleans natives because they are the real victims!"

****
July 14, 2026

1. @gwendolyncaughn9214
"Create another festival!!!"

**
2. @FBA_AllTHEWAY
"Too many tethers involved in traditional FBA events waters it down and it becomes WEAK! And it becomes boring, it puts me to 😴 sleep. I wish they would leave our spaces alone! WE NOT AFRIKAN! ✊🏾🇺🇸✊🏾🇺🇸"
-snip-
"Tether" is a usually at least mildly derogatory referent for a Black person living in the United States who isn't of Foundational Black American (FBA) descent.

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2024/10/what-word-tether-means-to-foundational.html for the 2024 pancocojams post entitled "What The Word "Tether" Means To Foundational Black Americans (FBAs)".

**
Reply
3. @TheBoogeymansCousin
"New Orleans is and always has been a huge mixture of multiple cultures. American Blacks, Europeans, Africans, Haitians, Creoles, French are all a part of the NO culture. It's literally what built the city! There is no NO independent of everyone else's culture."

**
Reply
4. @Chosen-1619
"@TheBoog @TheBoogeymansCousin that to an actual NO native and see what happens. You’re literally talking about the early demographics of the city but you forget that the southern Louisiana culture which consists of cities like Baton Rouge and Lafayette have the same culture and none of the people groups you mentioned. The culture in that part is shaped by the low country elements and native black people at its base! Ever heard of Cajun country and the Bayou? This is why none of the groups you’ve mentioned have any significant connection to the culture there now."

**
Reply
5. @CreoleNOLAMix
"@TheBoogeymansCousin  Baby ain't no dam Haitians or African people live here in New Orleans like that" Florida n Texas yes, but New Orleans no"" You speaking on when some migrated here back in the 1800 century, but now nope"" New Orleans is mostly a predominant black Creole city which doesn't include Africans or Haitians... There is no community here for them tbh"

**
6. @saritamoorebansa4485
"I and my family/ friends, No Target and No Essence festival. Standing ten toes down!!!❤️❤️❤️❤️😅😅😅😊😊😊😊"

****
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Visitor comments are welcome.

How Black American Teen Nolan Well's Death Is Being Factored Into Conversations Black Parents Have With Their Children About Racism In The United States

 

Parents of Nolan Wells demand answers in the mysterious death of their son

ABC News, Jul 11, 2026

The parents break their silence, speaking with ABC’s Michael Strahan, for the first time about Wells’ death, as civil rights leaders call for a thorough investigation.

****
Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post presents a video of and information about the death of Black American teen Nolan Wells and how that tragedy is prompting and/or reinforcing the conversations Black Americans have with their children about their need to protect themselves against the possibility of racism.

The content of this post is presented for historical and socio-cultural purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post. Rest in Peace and Power, Nolan Wells.

****
EXCERPT FROM ONLINE ARTICLE ABOUT NOLAN WELL'S DEATH
From https://www.newsnationnow.com/us-news/mid-south/race-nolan-wells-death/ "Was race a factor in Nolan Wells’ death? What we know" by Damita Menezes, Jul 10, 2026
"NewsNation) — The Rev. Al Sharpton says he is not ruling out race as a factor in the death of 18-year-old Nolan Wells, telling reporters Friday that key details of the case “do not make sense” and that National Action Network will back the family “until the end.”

“He was one Black with three young white men who happened to end up with his phone, happened to end up with his keys,” Sharpton said at a news conference alongside Wells’ parents and civil rights attorney Ben Crump. “There’s just too many questions … they should not be closing the investigation.”

Wells, a community college football player, was last seen on Horn Island, Mississippi, around 3 p.m. July 4. His friends told investigators they returned home without him after he said he would find another ride. His body was found on the island July 7.

Sharpton said he has little confidence in the local investigation, criticizing authorities for concluding within days that no wrongdoing occurred. He said an argument involving Wells was captured on video, and that Wells’ phone and keys ended up in the possession of one of the friends who left the island without him.

Nolan Wells found dead after July 4 trip with friends

“So some people are saying, ‘Reverend, are y’all bringing in race?’ Well, we’re not bringing in race, but we’re not discounting race, either, because we don’t know what it is,” Sharpton said. “This does not smell right.”

He added that while he wouldn’t presume race played a role, he also wouldn’t accept assumptions that it didn’t.

“Don’t rush to judgment saying it was not racist,” he said. “Because we do not know.”

Sharpton said Wells’ mother, not the friends, was the one who tracked down his phone, and that the friends never voluntarily disclosed they had it or his keys.

Crump, who is representing the family, pointed to Mississippi’s history as part of why race can’t be dismissed as a factor.

“The history of Mississippi is something that they don’t just read about in books, but it’s a lived experience for many Black Americans,” Crump said. “We refuse to sweep it under the rug.”

Crump also disputed the theory, floated by investigators, that Wells’ death may have been an accidental drowning.

“This is a kid who knew how to swim,” Crump said. “This is a kid who was in tip-top shape. He was a superior athlete.”….

****
AI OVERVIEW WRITE-UP 

[This write-up is the result of my July 13, 2026 query "How have Black Americans talked to their children about the death of Nolan Wells?]*

"Black parents are using the tragic death of 18-year-old Nolan Wells as a painful opportunity to teach their children about safety, racial dynamics, and situational awareness.

Conversations across the Black community focus on:

Situational Awareness and Safety: Parents are emphasizing the necessity of being hyper-aware of your surroundings, especially when being the only person of color in predominantly white social settings or remote environments.

Navigating Anti-Black Racism: Many use the incident—where Wells, a Black teenager, was found dead on Horn Island, Mississippi, after a July 4th boating trip with white peers—to teach kids how to protect themselves from systemic biases, microaggressions, and racially motivated hostility.

Historical Context: The case has evoked deep generational trauma due to Mississippi's fraught racial history. Parents are highlighting these systemic realities to explain why the local sheriff's initial handling of the case is being met with scrutiny and distrust.

As the Jackson County investigation continues and Wells' parents seek transparent answers, these discussions center on empowering Black youth to trust their instincts and navigate environments where their safety may be uniquely at risk."
-snip-
I was (and still am) particularly concerned about the first point in this write-up (situational awareness and safety) particularly when Black people (or other People of Color) are the only ones or one of few other Black people or other People of Color) in a location. The potential concerns or problems that Black people (and other People of Color) have doesn't need to be as severe as loss of their life or resulting in some physical injury. Read this article excerpt immediately below.

****
ARTICLE EXCERPT ON THE BURDEN OF BEING BLACK IN WHITE SPACES
https://news.yale.edu/2022/03/24/elijah-anderson-burden-being-black-white-spaces
"Elijah Anderson on the burden of being Black in white spaces"

Anderson discusses his new book on the challenges facing Black people as they navigate overwhelmingly white settings and struggle to overcome stereotypes.

By Mike Cummings, Mar 24, 2022

…"Since the end of the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s, large numbers of Black people have made their way into settings previously occupied exclusively by whites. They have received mixed receptions.

Many neighborhoods, schools, workplaces, universities, and other public spaces remain overwhelmingly white. Blacks perceive such settings as the “white space,” which they often consider to be informally “off limits” to them, said Elijah Anderson, Sterling Professor of Sociology and African American Studies at Yale and winner of the 2021 Stockholm Prize, the world’s most prestigious prize in the field of criminology.

The challenges Black people face while navigating white spaces are the subject of Anderson’s latest book, “Black in White Space: The Enduring Impact of Color in Everyday Life,” (University of Chicago Press, 2022), which draws on his 40-some years of qualitative fieldwork, including many interviews with local Black and white people, his previous four distinguished books of urban ethnography on race relations, as well as his lifetime of experiences as a Black man in America.

In the book, Anderson documents the unique challenges facing Black people as they navigate “white space” — a perceptual category, defined by the overwhelming presence of white people and the relative absence of Blacks — and their struggle to overcome stereotypes that continue to stigmatize them.

He explained that despite the growth of an enormous Black middle class, many whites assume that the natural Black space is what he calls the “iconic ghetto” — the symbol of that destitute and fearsome locality so commonly featured in the media.

“White people typically avoid Black space, but Black people are required to navigate the white space as a condition of their existence,” Anderson said. “When an unfamiliar  Black person enters the ‘white space,’ often the people there immediately try to make sense of him or her — to determine ‘who that is,’ or to figure out the nature of the person’s business and whether they need to be concerned. Stereotypes can rule perceptions, creating a situation that can estrange the Black person.

“In these circumstances, almost any Black person can experience such distance, especially a young Black male — not as a measure of his merit as a person but because of his Black skin and its indication of ‘outsider’ status in the white space. Thus, such a Black person is often burdened with a negative presumption he or she must disprove before being able to establish trusting relations with others.”

Anderson recently spoke with Yale News about the lived experience of Black people and the structural underpinnings of racism in America. The interview has been edited and condensed.

How do anonymous Black people try to overcome “the negative presumption” they often encounter upon entering white spaces?

Elijah Anderson: In my study, I found that this negative presumption may be minimized or tentatively overcome by a performance, a negotiation, or what some Black people refer to derisively as a “dance,” through which individual Blacks may be inclined to show white people and others that ghetto stereotypes do not apply to them personally; in effect, they may feel the need to perform for credibility or for acceptance. This performance can be as deliberate as dressing well and speaking in an educated way or as simple as producing an ID or a driver’s license in situations in which this would never be demanded of white people. Around predominantly white college campuses, especially when ghetto areas are nearby, Black students often wear school paraphernalia to distinguish themselves from ordinary Black people from the local ghetto. With this strategy, college students try to avoid being profiled, but on occasion, they get stopped by campus security nonetheless.

Do white people wittingly treat Black people this way?

Anderson:  Yes and no.  In white spaces, white people dominate, and compared to their Black counterparts, enjoy an implicit power along with a degree of moral authority that Black people fundamentally lack. Moreover, white people tend to take their white-skin privilege for granted, and to be dismissive of the complaints by Black people, or they show incredulity and “horror.” In this context, it is very hard for white people in general to understand and appreciate the experience of being Black.

What’s at stake for Black people during these awkward encounters?

Anderson: Black people typically want to be treated the way they assume white people are treated, without racial animus, without being regarded as “suspicious characters” on the basis of their skin color while navigating civil society, and especially when they navigate white spaces. They want to be able to get through their day uneventfully, without experiencing arbitrary treatment based on their Blackness.

How does this “dance” typically unfold?

Anderson: Almost by definition, the Black person performs before a distant, judgmental, and unsympathetic audience of gatekeepers, such as security guards, salespeople, fellow patrons. They are distant because of the extant racial divide, and judgmental and unsympathetic because their minds are typically already made up about the Black person’s “place” and the threat they believe he or she poses to the white space, and perhaps to some of the people standing in judgment. Depending on how effectively the Black person performs or negotiates, he or she may “pass inspection.” But there are no guarantees, for some members of the audience are inclined at times to weaponize their prejudices, to put the Black person in their “place.” Moreover, others in the white space may require additional proof on demand.

When the unfamiliar Black person can demonstrate that he or she has business in the white space, the defending gatekeepers may relax their guard, at least for the time being. The Black person may then advance from a “deficit of credibility” to a “provisional status,” suggesting a conditional “pass,” with the person having something “more to prove” on demand.

Are all Black people at risk of these encounters when they enter white spaces regardless of their socio-economic status?

Anderson: Yes, because racial bigotry is not social class specific. When venturing into or navigating the white space, Black people endure such challenges repeatedly. In white neighborhoods, Black people may anticipate racial profiling or harassment by the neighborhood watch group, whose mission is to monitor the “suspicious-looking.” Any unfamiliar Black male can qualify for close scrutiny, especially at night. Defensive whites in these circumstances may be less consciously hateful than concerned and fearful of “dangerous and violent” Black people “from the ghetto.”

In the minds of many white people, to scrutinize and stop a Black person is to prevent crime and protect the neighborhood. Thus, for Black people, particularly young males, virtually every public encounter results in a degree of scrutiny that a “normal” white person would certainly not need to endure.”…

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