An a cappella duo performed impromptu "Christ-centered hip hop" to launch a discussion of black cultural and religious experience yesterday evening.
Following the performance in W.E.B. DuBois College House, Charles and Rebecca Gilmer, president and vice president of the Impact Movement -- a national organization for Black Christian empowerment -- spoke about black progress and difficulties in light of the 100th anniversary of DuBois' The Souls of Black Folk.
Titled "The Souls of Black Folk: 100 Years Later," the Penn alumnus couple's presentation praised DuBois for "a type of intellectual achievement that is rare in history," since it combined learning and activism.
A 1981 College graduate, Charles connected DuBois' work to present challenges in the black community.
He indicated a number of "vestiges of... former oppression" -- including indebtedness, family disunity and disrespect for women -- that he said stemmed from sharecropping, workers' itinerant lifestyles and slaveholders' abuse of black women.
Charles also addressed a modern meaning of DuBois' "double consciousness," encouraging black students to speak not only the languages of business and academia, but also the language of the streets.
From a Christian perspective, Charles then called the suffering of the black people "redemptive" and meant to "forge a people who would... bring glory to God."
Moreover, he related Christianity and activism, saying that positive change for the black community is only possible through "a source of power that comes from without."
As former residents of DuBois, the Gilmers reminisced about their college days during their speech, which drew about 40 attendees.
Although Rebecca, a 1980 College alumna, mentioned some changes in the campus appearance, she pointed to a mural that said "Uplift Yourselves, Teach the Children" and joked, "I think that was here when we were here. That is so '80s."
Students in attendance said they enjoyed the speech.
"It didn't sound like propaganda at all," said College freshman Jason Suggs, who described himself as not religious. "It was more about black culture."
Dual degree College and Engineering senior Lydia Dowlath agreed.
She said she especially liked Charles' message that, as a black person of non-African origin, she "could still make a difference in [the black] community."
The Gilmers' appearance on campus represented a joint effort by Campus Crusade for Christ and DuBois College House.
The Impact Movement holds annual regional conferences to motivate black Christian faith.
