Day 5 – Strangely Familiar

“As a Christian people . . . it is the duty of the South to keep them in the present position, at any cost and at every peril.” – William McWillie (Governor of Mississippi 1857-59) 

“God never meant for America to be a melting pot to run out the line between the nations. That was not God’s purpose for this nation.” – Bob Jones (Evangelist in South Carolina) 

“Desegregation is against the Bible.” – Reverend William Carter (New Mexico) 

I was truly shocked when I came across these quotes from white leaders posted on a wall at the EJI Legacy Museum. I struggle to understand how Christian leaders and communities in the South at this time could condone, and even support, such violence towards the black community. As I considered these quotes, I couldn’t help but think about current events in our world and how the Christian community has responded to them. I see distinct parallels between the events of the Civil Rights Movement and the events of the past several years in the United States.  

As a Christian, I want to take a definitive stance on the issues of racism and human rights violations. I want the church to play an active role in condemning racist acts and loving those who have been oppressed. I look at the churches of the 1960s and think to myself “why didn’t they do anything?!” yet I sit in church with my fellow white Christians and never bring up the death of George Floyd. And it’s then that I must remind myself that, just because I am not experiencing racial bias does not mean that others nearby are not. Even if action is not important for my survival, it’s important for theirs.  

Jane Mylin

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