Agree w Great Nani- Slaves and later black people in general are very religious I believe as an escape/coping mechanism needed even in current daily lives in America being treated as second class citizens. One in 3 or 4 black men go to prison and all prisons are work camps. Slavery still exists here. Solace for slaves in song dance art and family as well. Success is SURVIVAL.

Turn to Jesus because I would have been informed that is the only way out of the insanity and await my salvation, preferably sooner rather than later.

I don't think that is something that be explained in words very easily unless you've experienced it personally. Their are too many layers of despair, sadness, etc to be able to capture adequately.

For some it was thinking about a better afterlife. For me, I have no idea how I would cope.