God of the Oppressed – Stories of Black Liberation –
A Documentary Film About Black Christians
By Danté J. James
In 1940, the renowned intellectual, historian, and revolutionary John Henrik Clarke wrote The Boy Who Painted Christ Black. This short story follows Aaron Crawford, a young Black student living in rural Georgia who attends a segregated school. Aaron creates a painting depicting Jesus as a Black man. The artwork sparks outrage from a racist white supervisor of the colored schools.
The story was adapted into a film featuring Wesley Snipes for the HBO series American Dreams in 1996. Snipes’ character, Duvall, faces a decision that could jeopardize his career, finances, and marriage, or benefit young Aaron, his classmates, and the Black community. Duvall’s situation reflects the complexities of Black life in the United States, a nation still immersed in racism, oppression, sexism, and imperialism.
Duvall’s decision embodies the values, morals, and spiritual needs of Black people. Seventy-five years after John Henrik Clark’s insightful story was published, it remains highly relevant to Black Christians seeking to forge their own spiritual and religious paths. Interpreting these journeys through the lens of our history, culture, art, and literature is essential. The theology of the late Dr. James Cone and other scholars provides a framework – Black Liberation Theology – that empowers us to do so. Dr. Cone stated, “Any theology that is indifferent to liberation is not Christian theology.”
Across America, we are witnessing a rise in racial tensions and an increasing influence of Christian nationalism within the political landscape. Right-wing Christians are shaping policies that undermine Black liberation. At this critical moment, engaging films that affirm our history, culture, and spiritual journey are vital to our struggle for self-determination.
Throughout my career, I have delivered over 25 hours of critically acclaimed primetime PBS programming on schedule and within budget. However, grant proposals to major foundations have not received support. Liberation Theology challenges existing power structures. Consequently, mainstream foundations and PBS are reluctant to fund this project. Therefore, we must invest in our narratives and continue seeking support from external truth-seeking entities for God of the Oppressed – Stories of Black Liberation (GOTO-SOBL), an independent feature documentary.
Like Duvall, throughout history and across all art forums, Black people have united to embrace, support, and define ourselves. Examples of our commitment to self-determination include founding and funding schools after emancipation, many of which were established by churches, or the decision to counter negative representations of Black people in film, as Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. did by supporting Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis’s 1976 African Revolution film, Countdown at Kusini. It was also demonstrated when millions of Black women came together to support VP Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign.
Undoubtedly, we have the financial resources and collective commitment to support God of the Oppressed – Stories of Black Liberation, a powerful affirmation of Black self-definition and self-determination within the Christian experience. However, the immediate task is to raise awareness of the project.
At the same time, GOTO-SOBL transcends being merely a film; it is an interdisciplinary exploration of the role of religion and spirituality in our pursuit of liberation. It honors our Christian heritage and serves as a spiritual bridge to the future for the next generation. The stories, characters, and our unique expressions in spirituals, gospel, jazz, blues, poetry, art, rap, and hip-hop will infuse the narrative. God of the Oppressed–Stories of Black Liberation explores the connection between Black Liberation Theology and Womanist Theology, ultimately defining the liberating relationships between God, individuals, and the resilient Black community.
Reverend Dr. Kelly Brown Douglas, Ph.D., author, scholar, public theologian, visiting professor of theology at Harvard Divinity School, and a supporter of the project since its beginning, says, “This is the story of Black theology. It is a sacred story. In a time when the histories of those who fought for justice are being erased, and as Christian Nationalism gains ground, this story must be told. It must be preserved for the next generation – for it is a story of hope, of freedom, and of God.”
Reverend Graylan Hagler, Pastor Emeritus of Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ in Washington, D.C., Reverend Dr. Kelly Brown Douglas, Reverend William Lamar IV, Senior Pastor of Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church in Washington, D.C., along with Reverend Dr. Jamal Bryant, Senior Pastor at New Birth Baptist Church in Stonecrest, Georgia, Reverend Dr. Fredrick Douglass Haynes III, Senior Pastor at Friendship-West Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas, and Reverend Dr. Lillian C. Smith, a United Methodist clergy, are rallying support for the project.
The film will share the stories of historical and contemporary religious leaders, icons, and everyday Black Christians who are willing to fight for liberation. The project seeks support from all these entities, particularly Black women, to advance our exploration of Womanist Theology. Faith has sustained Black people for centuries. I have faith that this project will garner tremendous support.
To make a tax-deductible donation to God of the Oppressed – Stories of Black Liberation, please visit: https://rebrand.ly/gotodocfilm and https://blackpearlmw.com/Oppressed/.
Danté J. James
Danté James is a multiple Emmy Award-winning independent filmmaker and educator who has taught at Duke University and the University of Dayton. During the summer of 2010, he served as a guest lecturer at the University of Cape Town in South Africa. He earned an Emmy for producing the PBS series Slavery and the Making of America, narrated by Morgan Freeman, and received two Emmys at WETA. His documentary, Harlem in Montmartre, won Best Documentary at the Pan African International Film Festival in Cannes, and his short film, The Doll, was named Best Dramatic Short at the Hollywood Black Film Festival. He executive-produced Blackside’s PBS series This Far by Faith and contributed to other Blackside DuPont-Columbia award-winning series. He holds a master’s degree from Duke University.
Last updated on August 2, 2025
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