REFLECTION WALL
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Not only was I never before forced to come to grips with the legacy of racial violence in this place I have long called my home, I never even learned until now about the cultural markers of the Black people who managed to live under the structures of white supremacy that continue to benefit me to this day.
Cultural bastions like Oak Cemetery. I had passed by that cemetery many times before, wondering why so many old head stones could have been allowed to weather away, shattered on the ground. How could I have not seen the now obvious and tragic context? Thank you so much for helping bring greater visibility to that history.
— Yannik D.
Jemar Tisby writes in The Color of Compromise: “History and Scripture teaches us that there can be no reconciliation without repentance. There can be no repentance without confession. And there can be no confession without truth.”
The truth, Tisby writes, is that “many white people have been complicit with racism” and that “Christians [have] participated in [the] system of white supremacy--a concept that identifies white people and white culture as normal and superior--even if they claim people of color as their brothers and sisters in Christ.” The truth, Tisby continues, grieves us, but grief can be good. 2 Corinthians 7:10 says, “For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret.”
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“ I do believe that our society has entered a time of true progress and improvement, and that is exciting. But I have been wrong before so am afraid to let my hopes be too high. The young people putting their health on the line to demonstrate inspire me.”
- Love, Pattie B.
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