Churches vs. Musicians

Churches vs. Musicians

The Merge Lab Deep Dive by Dorothy W Parker
S5 · E4
Jul 20, 2026
18:03

Episode notes

This podcast examines the systemic exploitation of musicians within the Black church, advocating for a deconstruction of religious systems that prioritize institutional control over the dignity of artists. It highlights how leaders often weaponize spiritual authority bypass and cultural loyalty to manipulate performers, leading to unpaid labor, creative theft, and significant religious trauma. To address these harms, the source proposes a liberation framework that encourages musicians to reclaim their professional sovereignty through independent collectives and trauma-informed healing. Ultimately, the work aims to help vocalists and instrumentalists separate their spiritual gifts from institutional dependency, allowing them to maintain their faith while demanding fair treatment and psychological safety.

Keywords

Deconstruction
Dismantling the Canopy
Sacred
Musicians
Churches

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Where this episode is made