The Black Affairs Council continued its student lecture series Thursday, with an SIUC senior speaking on African-American spirituality.

The lecture was given by Angela Davis, a senior in history from Chicago.

Davis said people in this country have a distorted view of God.

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When our African-American ancestors were enslaved, they lost their connection with God and with spirituality, Davis said. Slavery taught our ancestors that God works through man.

Davis said man’s knowledge and experience is limited, and that reality is what is real and cannot be destroyed.

Davis expressed her concerns about the future of African-American people and their loss of spirituality.

The essence of reality is not in what can be seen with the eyes, Davis said.

Davis explained the differences of African-American people in the past and how their views on spirituality differ from people of today.

Our ancestors recognized that God is vast., Davis said.

Davis said that older people in America sometimes die alone, feeling worthless, while elders in Africa are important society, and are looked on highly. She said this has also led to a loss of African-American’s spirituality.

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Davis said that the solution to the distorted view of God is knowing self.

Knowing thyself reaffirms the things that tie us together with God and the universe, Davis said.

Davis said the student lecture series was an opportunity for her to speak on something that was important to her.

She said she does not describe herself as one who is religious, but she was always concerned about God.

In church, as a child, I saw pictures of a white Jesus and disciples, and Mary, Davis said. I started to wonder how to get into heaven if everyone there was white, and I knew I was different. And I figured later, when I got older, I would understand.

Kyle Ismail, future student lecture series speaker, said most of the things that have been established in western civilization have not been for spiritual gain, but for material gain.

The lecture series was organized by the Black Affairs Council Programming Committee, Coordinator of BAC ,Troy Alim said.

Alim attended the lecture and said having an opportunity to speak helps students gain valuable lecturing experience.

I used to wish I had the opportunity to speak on different subjects, Alim said.

The lecture series continues Tuesday at 12p.m. in the Student Center Mississippi room.