The FP Interview: Jacqueline Trussell of BlackandChristian.com

FP: Who is Jacqueline Trussell?

JT: Jacqueline Trussell is the founder and president of BlackandChristian.com, a native of Chicago and a part time university instructor, teaching courses in religion and African American Studies. As founder of BAC, I am responsible for the overall management and direction of the website and my son, Bryan is responsible for all things operational. I am a graduate of Harvard Divinity School, Northeastern Illinois University and Roosevelt University. I am a member of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, Illinois and the American Academy of Religion. I am also currently serving as co-chair of the Black Alumni Network of Harvard Divinity School.

FP: When and why did you start your website, BlackandChristian.com?

JT: BlackandChristian.com began on Feb. 26, 2000 launched between my home in Chicago and my son, Bryan's home in Maryland. It was started to provide information and inspiration and an online presence for Christians of color and others interested in the Black religious experience.

FP: You have been writing about the history of the Baptist church--what lessons does that history have for Christians today?

JT: I began researching the history of the Black Baptist church as an undergraduate at Roosevelt University majoring in journalism and public relations. My senior thesis was on the "The Black Baptist Church: Its History and Influence on Black Political Leadership." I learned of the importance of African American's religious history to the overall history of the world and gained a greater appreciation of leaders such as the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., for standing on the shoulders of those who came before him.

FP: We have been very impressed with the unity and progressive agenda of the various mostly Black Baptist groups (Please see our post: Black Baptists Unite on Progressive Agenda) Do you have any thoughts on this effort?

JT: Yes in fact my mother attended the meeting and is active in one of the Black Baptist groups that convened. The four Baptist groups that met represent a significant portion of Black Christians. They have the ability to reach a great number of people every Sunday morning and through various other media. There is potential for great things to happen around an agenda that speaks of "uplifting the race" through social, political and economic change. What remains to be seen is how this will be implemented. The Black Church, whether Baptist, Methodist or Church of God In Christ, has always been at the forefront of any movement for change as it relates to people of African descent.

FP: What issues do you think are most important to black Christians in the Chicago area?

JT: Chicago is an interesting place in that you have arguably two of the most recognized Black leaders based here: Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr., and Minister Louis Farrakhan. You also have a number of "mega-churches" in the city and surrounding area, that potentially, can impact the lives of people of color if all can find some common areas and concerns to address such as affordable housing, jobs, health care, education, poverty, homelessness and HIV/AIDS. A fair distribution of contracts and access to resources for small businesses are other issues that are important to Blacks in Chicago, not just Black Christians. Black Christians, however have a greater responsibility to heed Christ's call to take care of the "least of these,"--the poor and oppressed.

FP: What are your favorite web-links of other religious sites?

JT: I actually do not get to spend that much time on other religious sites, when I do they tend to be more academic in nature such as the American Academy of Religion or the Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning or news sites such as the Religion Newswriters Association or the Religion News Service.

FP: Who are your favorite thinkers and writers in the areas of theology and politics? Why do they move you?

JT: In the area of theology, I would have to say University of Chicago professor Dwight Hopkins, James Cone, Peter Paris, Cornel West, Renita Weems, Delores Williams, Evelyn Brooks Higginbotham, Harvey Cox, Peter Gomes and the sermons of Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Wright, Jr. who combines theology and politics. All are gifted writers, scholars and theologians and have contributed, in some way, to my knowledge and understanding of God, Jesus and what it means to be Black and Christian in the modern world.

FP: Many people feel frustrated by both the perception of religious people and with the direction of the Bush Administration--what can they do to change things?

JT: The simple answer is to pray--I do believe that prayer changes things. Whether its Bush, Reagan, Nixon, Clinton, Lincoln or George Washington, this nation has persevered and survived through good leadership and not so good leadership. Black people, led often by Black Christians such as Nat Turner, Denmark Vesey, Harriet Tubman, Henry Highland Garnet, Sojourner Truth or Martin Luther King, have survived. If we, as Black folk have learned nothing else, we have learned how to survive.

FP: Are there one or two articles you are most proud of?

JT: I am proud of the articles written on Black Church history and on Rev. Martin Luther King, because they are educational, informative and often, inspirational. I especially like a story I wrote about Tselane Tambo and her efforts at helping women living with HIV/AIDS in South Africa is important because it helps to connect BlackandChristian.com to the Continent. Tambo found us while searching the Internet, contacted me, and came to Chicago on a tour of the states to promote the crafts made by the women. Her father was Oliver Tambo, a contemporary of Nelson Mandela.

This is an example of the power of the Internet reaching out to people and bringing people together for a greater good. BlackandChristian.com is a vehicle for spreading the gospel message and sharing the good news of Jesus Christ. Walking In Faith and Footsteps

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