But I would have problems with the commercialisation of fans to the extent of McDonald's issuing them. Many black churches have become economic powers in their neighbourhoods. Some of Boston's largest have their own book and record shops. Many offer thousands in college scholarships for their young. But none of these churches is making money from the increasingly tall stacks of fans often left in their lobbies.
Black undertakers say they still supply churches with fans.
I was getting fans and putting them in churches. Before the arrival of air-conditioning, the fans were used to cool down congregations packed in small churches. The little ads on the back of the fans were subtle enough to plug the funeral homes without offending possible clients. By the time most black churches became air-conditioned, the fans had become part of the church's fabric just like the hymn book and the tambourine.