Black Churches in America – By Dr Dhanpaul Narine
Black Churches Burned
It is 1758 and a slave reports on the condition of Blacks. He says, ‘the white folks would come in when the colored people would have prayer meetings, and whip every one of them. Most of them thought that when colored people were praying it was against them.’ In 2105 in Charleston, South Carolina, a weapon that was deadlier than the whip was used and it brought tragic results.
Black churches were a cause of concern to the White establishment during and after slavery. A Black congregation was seen as a threat to White supremacy. The congregation was an example of faith, togetherness, and the ownership of property and this did not sit well with Whites. When Whites in the South wanted excitement they would set fire to Black churches. The flames provided relief from boredom and sent a message to Blacks to mind their message and manners.
But President Barack Obama reminded us that Black churches have provided a sanctuary from hardships. According to Mr. Obama, ‘ over the centuries Black churches served as hush harbors, where slaves could worship in safety, praise houses, where free descendants could gather and shout “Hallelujah…” Mr. Obama in his Charleston eulogy outlined the importance of Black churches. They were more than centers of worship. The Black churches in America have from the time of their inception stood for justice and equality. Their influence has extended to politics, economics, and education. They challenged the status quo that a good slave would obey his master and reap the rewards in Heaven.
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Muslim Groups Step In To Help Black Churches Burned In Wave Of Arson
Published: July 16, 2015 | Authors: Jack Jenkins | Think Progress | News Report
American Muslims — like other religious minorities in the country — are also painfully familiar with violence enacted against sacred spaces. Now they are helping raise funds to rebuild the recently burned down African American churches in the South.
A group of American Muslims is closing in on a goal to raise $100,000 to help African American churches impacted by a rash of arsons that raged through the South last month following the tragic murder of nine black worshippers in Charleston, South Carolina. [Read more]
Comments
I believe that there was this fundamental difference between the slave and the slave owner. The slaves saw death as the only relief from their life of bondage. Because of this, the slave-congregation was concerned with praising God in expectation of a promised “Land of Milk & Honey”. The slave owner thanked God for benefits already received.
Maybe the statement, “cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren’t like them” was a clumsy expression of this idea; I cannot speak for what Mr. Obama was thinking.
I get frightened when I try to put myself in the place (they did not have shoes) of a slave. I panic at the thought of such hopelessness – and I quickly get back to my reality which no matter how dire – will never get to that depth of despair.
Here and there, I have had close encounters as to what it was like. I was told that at LBI, there were three or four brothers who were “Drivers”. In addition to the burdensome work employees did on the estate, the men under the charge of these brothers were required to work on the brothers’ rice fields on Sundays. If one was absent, he would be denied work on the estate. If one sought a transfer to another “gang” he would find himself blacklisted by the brothers.
I believe that the “Mandir” or “Masjid” held a special place in the minds of such wretchedly indentured people.
Thanks!
Sawak Sarju.
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