The images in the For All the World to See exhibit still reverberate 50 years later in America’s conscience. The status quo continues to reflect its share of prejudicial images, albeit in the midst of an evermore plethora of images affirming black identity. The task yet continues to document both the injustice to and the achievements of African-Americans, from the Black Lives Matter movement through police cams to the movies. Indeed, Loudon says, even our churches are afflicted by white supremacy and white privilege, the unconsidered lens of the “normality” of whiteness. This presentation seeks to demonstrate that the work of the past still continues in the quest for a just economic life, an honest political process, a spiritual renewal, and a synthesis of personal and cultural growth in everyday, mainstream life.

Michael Loudon taught in the Department of English and the Africana Studies program for 30 years before his retirement in 2014. He served as interim director of the Africana Studies program for two years and as faculty adviser for the African Students Association for six years. He now manages a small cattle operation for his family in Harrison County, IN, and continues his engagement with the discipline through the Black Church Studies Program at the Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary and the National Council for Black Studies. His ongoing research includes South African politics, theology and literature; Christianity and white supremacy; and studies in soil, forage and cattle health.