A major focus of the ministry of Cornelius Corps is to teach and reflect on the witness of the modern Civil Rights Movement as a resource for faith based nonviolent action for racial justice today. There has not been a time in the 24 year history of our ministry when the need for faith based nonviolent action is more urgent than right now. The torrent of executive orders over the last three months has brought our nation to levels of fear, racism, and hostility that threaten the lives of the most vulnerable in our society. Adding to this tragedy is the fact that most white Christians have either supported or remained silent in the face of this government sponsored brutality. Yet there are glimpses of hope in recent weeks as hundreds of thousands of people have taken to the streets in protests throughout the country.
As followers of Jesus, we also follow in the footsteps of those who have gone before us on the journey to justice for all people. The first video posted below features reflections by Maude Burroughs Jackson who participated in the St. Augustine campaign of 1964. Please take the time of listen to her words about her experiences of 1964 and how they relate to today. At the beginning of her reflection, she shares how Black people at that time were being told, “Know your place and stay in it.” In many ways, that same message is being sent to us by the current administration. Despite the threats that came with challenging the existing unjust laws and systems of that day, Maude and thousands of others took the risks to stand up for equality. In the video, she shares that one song in particular gave her courage as it was sung in mass meetings before going out to protest – “God Will Take Care of You.” This was not a guarantee against violence and arrest endured by the protestors. Rather it was an assurance of God’s presence with them in the struggle. Near the end of the video, she calls for renewed action today to keep from losing the costly gains made by the movement in the 1960’s.
Sixty one years later, there are signs of hope as thousands of people throughout the nation engage in nonviolent protest. In Washington, DC, Bishop William Barber has organized a Moral Mondays campaign of prayer and protest. The second and third videos posted below feature religious leaders being arrested for praying in the Capitol rotunda. In addition to the campaign in DC, a movement called 50501 has organized protests throughout the country mobilizing tens of thousands of people. The fourth video posted below provides an overview of this emerging movement. Just last week, I participated in one of their protests in Richmond along with a group of fellow Christians in our local Racial Justice Network. As with the Civil Rights Movement, nonviolent direct action must be sustained over time without the guarantee of immediate success. Our prayer is for faithful persistence, and our hope is in the love of God who desires justice and equality for all.
