Dear Bloggers: Today, we met Rutha Harris, an original Freedom Singer. She was surely one of God’s Angels on earth with her voice. As I have said before it is so much more interesting to meet people that have walked the walk. Just having the chance to meet her and listen to her sing is one thing, but we cut ally got to sing with her. It sent shivers up your spine. And again tears flowing. What these people gave up and put up for the sake of freedom, not only for themselves but for all non whites. These people never thought twice about what they would endure, because to them it could not be any worse than what they had already been enduring. Growing up in my small town in the 60s I had no idea of the suffering that was going on. With only 2 tv channels, I didnt watch a lot of tv. We played outside. We didn’t have to worry about being in before dark because the Police would stop you for no reason. We talked to anyone passing on the street, we didn’t have to worry about crossing the street if a white person was walking towards me, or not make eye contact with them for fear of being beaten up, or possibly murdered. While I was playing, Black children my age, we meeting and going to jail for the right to be free and equal. I think, would I have been able to do what they did at their age, and I think, no way, I know I would have never had what it takes to do what they did, what they gave up, and put up with. But thank God there were people, young, old,male, female Black and some White,that were willing to do what they had to do for freedom. I am so moved every time I hear the freedom song. We talk about how guilty we are feeling for the actions against the Black by others that came before us. And through it all the Black stood firm in their faith, sang their gospel songs and prayed for peace and non violence, and even prayed for the whites. It makes me wonder, where was my Church during this time? I don’t remember any one in Church discussing the civil rights movement at all. Why was nothing ever talked about? Did they stick their heads in the sand like so many others? I think it’s time for me to go back to.”my roots” and find out more.

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