Faith and Civil Rights - Today’s Reflection THE U.S. CIVIL RIGHTS movement has fascinated me since my youth. I would devour every fact that I could get my hands on. As early as the fifth grade, I completed a history project on the lynching of Black people in the early twentieth century. This created some challenges for me as I often had to fend off disturbing images during sleep. It also proved exceedingly difficult for my young mind to comprehend why some people held such hatred for others because of skin color. I found it impossible, however, to disengage from this material as the force and concern that drew me in were greater than any force or concern that would repel. As I matured, my fascination for the movement did not change, although my emotional investment in the movement did. The images will never become easier to digest. But instead of seeing only the pain and horror as I did as a child, I grew to see the strength of a people guided by faith, who not only endured such great tragedy but who also emerged from it victorious. As I matured, the images of the struggle became a point of sacred witness, and the necessity of passing down the story of the movement became paramount in my purpose. Over the years, I have been blessed not only to visit many of the historic sites of the movement but also to meet, to sit together, and to break bread with many leaders and foot soldiers of the movement. And I have sought to share all that they have shared with me, hoping that a new generation will know the faith of their forebears, and find the faith to overcome the challenges of our day. - Michael W. Waters Freestyle From pages 21-22 of Freestyle: Reflections on Faith, Family, Justice, and Pop Culture. Copyright © 2014 by Michael W. Waters. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Fresh Air Books. bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book. Today’s Question What impact does your faith have on your beliefs regarding civil rights? Share your thoughts. Today’s Scripture At that time Jesus said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. Matthew 11:25-26, NRSV This Week: pray for gardeners and farmers. daily.upperroom.org/
Posted on: Sun, 06 Jul 2014 14:08:30 +0000
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