James Melvin Washington facts for kids

James Melvin Washington (born April 24, 1948 – died May 3, 1997) was an important African-American historian, educator, and minister. He spent his life studying and teaching about the history of the Black church and its role in American society. He also collected and shared the powerful words of many Black leaders and everyday people.

About James Melvin Washington

Early Life and Education

James Melvin Washington grew up in Knoxville, Tennessee. He had two sisters and three brothers. His father was a laborer, and his mother was a housekeeper.

He went to the University of Tennessee and graduated in 1972. Later, he earned a Master's degree from the Harvard Divinity School. In 1979, he received his doctorate from Yale Divinity School. His special research was about how Black Baptist churches became separate and independent after the Civil War.

His Important Books

One of his key books, Frustrated Fellowship, came out in 1991. It explored how the difference between enslaved and free people caused problems in churches with both Black and white members, even in the 1780s. The book showed how faith often struggled against unfairness. It also explained how Black churches became self-sufficient after the Civil War. This happened because the hopes of Black people for fairness and justice were crushed by violence and terror after the Reconstruction period. Black communities found strength and hope within themselves, especially through prayer.

Washington once spoke about the amazing patience of the Black church. He told a reporter that between 1889 and 1920, nearly 4,000 Black people were lynched in the United States. He called this "terrorism."

His first book, published in 1986, was a large collection of writings and speeches by Martin Luther King Jr.. It included articles from newspapers, magazines, and academic journals. It also had parts from King's own books. This collection was very well-researched and important.

Another book, Conversations with God (1994), became a surprise bestseller. This book shared prayers from 190 Black individuals. Some famous people included were Frederick Douglass, Paul Lawrence Dunbar, W. E. B. Du Bois, Sojourner Truth, Howard Thurman, Esther Popel, Martin Luther King Jr., James Baldwin, Alice Walker, and James Alexander Forbes Jr. The book also featured prayers from many lesser-known Christians. It showed the strength and faith found throughout the difficult history of the Black American church.

Teaching and Ministry

Starting in 1976, Professor Washington taught church history at the Union Theological Seminary in New York City. He also taught at nearby Columbia University. Many other universities wanted him to teach as a visiting professor, including Haverford College, Oberlin College, and Princeton University.

As a minister, he served on the board of the American Baptist Church and the National Council of Churches. He was also very active at the Riverside Church in New York City, where Rev. Dr. James A. Forbes Jr. was the leader. Forbes said that Washington's 1994 book was "a source of inspiration to many" because it showed "the dignity and power of the African-American religious heritage."

At the Riverside Church, Washington often had lunch and deep conversations with his close friend, Cornel West. Their friend James Forbes sometimes joined them. West later wrote that Washington was his "best friend for twenty years." They would talk intensely about big ideas like suffering, hope, and injustice. They focused on how these ideas connected to the real lives of Black people dealing with challenges in America.

His Family

James Melvin Washington passed away from a stroke at his home. He was 49 years old. He was survived by his wife, Patricia, whom he had been married to for 26 years, and their daughter, Ayanna. His family lived in Morningside Heights.