In the 1960s, the black church was the target of racial injustice (Carter, 1999). In one well-publicized incident in 1963, four young black girls were killed in the fire bombing of the 16th street Baptist Church in Alabama (Morgenthau & Carroll, 1996). However, the burning of black churches failed to raise a brow, as this was commonplace during this era and the burning of churches (both black and white) continues to this day (Booth, 1996). However, black churches still remain very strong, and one of their strengths is that they also involve themselves in political issues. Blacks that attend church, therefore, are much more likely to go out and vote (Torres, 2004). .

             During the lengthy time of slavery, religion was a way for black Americans to escape harsh realities that they faced on a daily basis, and at that time they were not allowed to vote, or to do much of anything else. The church was one of the few places that a black American could feel somewhat empowered, with a sense of belonging, and eventually this became political as more and more changes were made. This was the one place that a black American could go when cast out by other institutions, and a place that gave them a sense of shelter and strength by being a major source of emotional support and financial support to a number of families (Morgenthau & Carroll, 1996; Booth, 1996). .

             Churches like the First Bryan Baptist Church in Savannah, Georgia helped countless black people throughout the years, and was originally founded in January of 1788 by Andrew Bryan, who was a slave and also the church's first pastor (Trussell, 2005). Having a church like that one, that was founded by a slave and welcomed all of the black slave community gave comfort and consolation to those black Americans that had difficulty finding these things anywhere else. As times changed, the church grew, and other black churches grew as well.