Leaders are elected to do the right thing. People of faith are called to love one’s neighbor and to be “repairers of the breech.” Isaiah 58:12.
California announced (May 7, 2021) the start of a study on the impact of slavery on Black Americans. Reparations is the right thing to do for African Americans. It will benefit all Americans.
California has taken a big step to repair the harm. Recommendations for legislation are expected in July 2023. Good for California!
Things were not good on Oct. 12, 1871, during Reconstruction in the South. President Grant warned nine counties in South Carolina of federal intervention if the Klu Klux Klan continued to terrorize Blacks.
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In York County, alone, U.S. Attorney Amos Ackerman found evidence of 11 murders and 600 whippings and other assaults. When local grand juries failed to take action, Mr. Akerman and Army Major Lewis Merrill urged President Ulysses S. Grant to intervene, describing the counties as “under the domination of systematic and organized depravity.”
Ultimately, President Grant had to order martial law. As a result, 200 Klansmen were arrested; 53 pleaded guilty and five were convicted by trial.
Klan terrorism in South Carolina decreased significantly after the arrests and trials but racial violence targeting Black people continued throughout the South for decades.
Sadly, hate crimes continue today. And recently, Minnesota was ranked second as the “worst U.S. state to live in if you are Black.” (24/7 Wall Street Special Report by Samuel Stebbins, Feb. 2022)
However, people of faith can change things in Minnesota by showing up to celebrate persons of color, Indigenous Peoples and LBGTQ people.
At school boards, city councils, religious councils and PTAs, your voice matters. Let’s show up and make our faith active in love! Good for California!
Terry Frovik,
Lake Shore
