Political Involvement

Rev. Black worked to incorporate his religious beliefs into his political messages. Using “Representation Strengthens” as a motto, Black sought to inspire the African American community to use their moral beliefs to further their cause in the fight against segregation. Rev. Black also used this slogan to show the community that they could have a leader they could trust to represent them in city hall. As a San Antonio City Counselor, Rev. Black combined religion and politics by asserting that the church had a role to play in establishing societal morals. This notion was instrumental to his efforts to foster equality during the civil rights movement. Rev. Black often used biblical teachings as the foundation for his works. His speeches inspired people to rely on the church for support as they worked to address political issues such as civil rights. In his “Sunday Night” address, for example, he used Biblical references to call for justice and equity. Through his teachings, Black gained a tremendous amount of backing from his voters and from from politicians, including members of the Texas legislature, U.S. House of Representatives, and even the president himself. These politicians often looked to Rev. Black to mobilize voters on key issues.