Since moving to Grenada, Mississippi about six years ago, I have become involved in efforts to help improve relationships between the races in our community. As a native born Mississippian (born and raised in Oxford, MS – and yes, the term is ‘raised’ here in the South, not ‘reared’), I think this is probably one of the most important things I’ve ever done.
I am involved with two groups. One is through the Grenada Chamber of Commerce. The chamber formed a committee several years ago called the Unity Committee. It is composed of a variety of people from businesses, organizations, churches and citizens. The committee meets, talks, and sometimes helps create activities and events designed to bring people together and encourage positive interaction between people of different races. Maybe the best thing this committee has done is to host a monthly Unity Breakfast. Hosted by a different church each month (alternating between black and white churches). Though I am not always able to attend these, the ones I have attended have been excellent. The format centers around the reading of a passage of scripture, and then discussion around the various tables. It seems to have worked well.
The other effort is one hosted by a group called Mission Mississippi. This is a monthly supper meeting of local ministers/pastors to foster racial reconciliation, “one relationship at a time.” I enjoy this group very much and, over time, I believe it will have a major positive impact.
Like it or not, there is still a lot of distance between the races. I don’t claim to be an expert. If anything, I’m learning how much I don’t know about moving people of different races closer together, but I believe it’s worth the effort. I could probably come up with a bullet list of good reasons for racial harmony in a community, but it’s such a no-brainer I don’t believe it’s necessary. Cliches might do the job. “United we stand, divided we fall.” That’s good for a start. “Love one another,” and “By this all men will know you are my disciples, if you have love for one another,” is another. Jesus gave us the last two. People who live together, work together, go to school together, worship together, and even enjoy recreation together, simply must learn to do all these things in an atmosphere of harmony.
This necessarily brings into play social and legal justice, simple mutual respect and honor, true equality in economic and employment areas, politics, religion and more. We cannot afford to leave out anyone, regardless of race. While I can point to numerous improvements in my lifetime, we have a long way to go before we can begin to suggest that things are really good.
I will admit to a frustration that continues to plague every effort. That frustration stems from the fact that there are a lot of people, both white and black, who are not really interested in real improvement. This is not a problem among radicals. Some of the people who ought to be at the forefront of the efforts to improve racial harmony are simply absent. Others give lip-service, but not real positive involvement.
But, I am encouraged, overall. I do see efforts like the ones mentioned above making some progress. Not only that, but I see people making this progress on their own, without the benefit of any organizations or groups. If there is anything that makes me believe that racial harmony is a real possibility, it’s when I see people with good hearts but different skin colors, treating each other well. I see this in many young people. I see it in numerous church events and activities. I see it when I shop in stores and watch employees interact with one another and with customers. There is, indeed, more than a glimmer of hope.
But, we still avoid each other’s homes for the most part, and avoid each other’s churches. I believe it was Martin Luther King, Jr. who noted that the single most racially segrated hour of the week is the Sunday morning worship hour. We need to learn that Jesus Christ did not come to establish a white church or a black church, but in practice, that’s precisely what both whites and blacks seem to believe. It is certainly what they practice.
Might I suggest a simple practice that will go a long way toward achieving racial harmony. It comes in the biblical teachings that we should love one another, honor and respect one another. Love, honor and respect are baseline attitudes and actions. If they are not present, one can preach racial harmony but it will never happen. This is a call for every person to do their part. Love people regardless of their skin color. Honor and respect them, despite the fact that they are not like you. These are the attitudes and actions that open the doors to other things that will enhance and deepen the relationships we form with people of a different race. These are not empty symbolism, they are what makes things happen. And we could stand for some things to happen – good, positive things – when it comes to racial harmony.
