I tend to agree with what you have said. I think "European enlightenment" was to European Christianity as "free love and music" was to American Christianity, especially in California (I'm biased towards the Christian Science Monitor type folks). In short, a strong short-term move to "the 60s" which added to a solid base to yield a better foundation. The intellectual, rhythmatic, well-informed, natural peace-loving Christian.
Of course, it is likely true that conservative politicos used it for their own advantage at the time.....
I think this was the case in the southern US.
Had not the black community, in general, voted Democrat well before the 1980's? Is it not true that the black community, itself, ridiculed its "members" if same didn't stay within the "in general" category?
Having had the experience of being born and raised upper poor and black in New Orleans and after spending 11 years in California and 4 years in Europe, I'd have to say I'm a "cultural racist", if there is such a belief. Based on values which allow the human being to reach its full potential (mind, body, soul), I'd score America/Europe a 9 and Africa a 1. However, Africans can become 10s in society with American/European values. In my analysis, this is due to American/European incorporation of African inspired values (the 60s) onto an existing Christian base. Africans (in Africa) remain "pure Africans" just as middle Easterners (in the middle East) remain middle Easterners.
While black Americans may have always voted for the Democrats, to go from Thurgood Marshall to MLK to Jesse Jackson to Al Sharpton as "black leaders" in only 50 years represents a trend from American/European values to African values. So the promoted black American values by the liberals is African values.
Interesting, and, imho, somewhat sad. Sad because it seems much of these values which are promoted, are, as you mentioned earlier, to keep black Americans/African Americans in line. I have listened to Thomas Sowell, I believe, speak on this, and several other excellent writers. Because the African American community continues to listen to the likes of the Sharptons and Jacksons....they are self-perpetuating their own beliefs that they can't do/can't move up/entitlement thought process. I wish I could remember who it was I listened to, specifically, about this some time ago. Bill Cosby has also addressed this. It rings true, again, imo. That is not to say that African Americans are not discriminated against, still, by some. But this has also become a self-fulfilling prophecy to some extent. If one acts as though others are against them, they take on attitudes and behaviors which are sure to ensure others do just that. This is what's sad. Teens (any race) do the same...and become rebellious in some cases for that very reason.... I don't know if there's an answer to the divisions which exist, but the politicos have historically instilled that in the people, back to the 1700's, to retain power and control. It's more than disgraceful and wrong. I often wish people would not allow themselves and their thoughts to be so controlled by others....if they'd just think for themselves, and stop listening to the "us v. them"....this country could have been much different.