As Jacob, the God-wrestler, received a new name to reflect his new self, black people’s struggle with God in white America also left a deep and lasting wound. Yet they too expressed their hope for a new life in God: “Ah tol’ Jesus it would be all right, if He changed mah name,” another spiritual that connects with Jacob’s experience. The change of name initiates a new conflict, a new struggle. “Jesus tol’ me the world would be ’gainst me if He changed mah name.”
