Loving our Neighbors

May 4, 2015 by Arley Arrington

In the last week, we’ve heard story after story of unrest in Baltimore following the death of Freddie Gray. The public response has been fairly dichotomous–once again, a story about the lack of value we assign to our brothers and sisters has turned into a polarizing political debate. The situation brings to light many complex issues that are worth discussing, and are even more so worth fixing. But unfortunately, much of the discussion has more to do with what the people of Baltimore should or shouldn’t be doing, and little to do with what the rest of us are supposed to do. So last week, our 5th-6th grade bible study talked about what we are supposed to do about it.

The Bible states clearly that one of the most important things we need to do is love our neighbor through practical gifts of service. And in Luke 10, Jesus tells the story of the good Samaritan, a man who goes above and beyond to help someone in need, even though that person looks nothing like him. Jesus says that what makes the Samaritan a good neighbor is not his cultural or physical proximity to the man who was beaten and robbed, but the Samaritan’s commitment to meet his needs when others wouldn’t. While it is complicated to address police brutality, a denial to justice, the hopelessness of an oppressed community, and anger that leads to violence; we have a simple command that is too often forgotten–love your neighbor as yourself. And everyone is our neighbor. It was good to remember that with the girls this last week, and talk about how we can do that now.

In order to love our neighbors in the US and around the world, we are selling 10 prints painted by our bible study with the words “Love your neighbor”. The girls have decided the money will be split equally between supporting repairs to a shelter for homeless youth in Baltimore, and the Red Cross’s relief efforts in Nepal. We are asking for a $15 minimum donation for a framed 5″ x 7″ print. Below is a sample (they are all unique!), but head to the Abundant Life facebook page if you’d like to support us in loving our neighbors by purchasing one.

For Kings & Queens Only

April 13, 2015 by Arley Arrington

During spring break last week, a few girls from Ladies of Quality Jr took a field trip to the Jefferson School African American Heritage Center. The Jefferson School, home of the heritage center, used to be the black high school in Charlottesville back in the early 1900s, and it’s presence created a new opportunity for African Americans in the city to receive an education past middle school. The building also overlooks what used to be a thriving black neighborhood, before the city seized people’s homes and businesses in order to develop what is now our downtown. This little corner of Charlottesville is rich in a history that is a source of both pain and pride for the African American community here. We had the chance to reflect on the pain, but mostly the pride and inspiration within our local community and the national civil rights movement during our visit to the center. There was a beautiful exhibit featuring Eunique Jones’ work. The girls’ favorite piece in the exhibit was an installment featuring an old fountain that had the words “For Kings & Queens Only” marked above it, redefining what the phrase “Blacks Only” meant during the days of segregated facilities. After learning about and seeing Jones’ work, we all took the following pledge together:

I WILL HONOR THE SACRIFICES OF MY ANCESTORS

I WILL BELIEVE IN ME

I WILL PURUSE MY DREAMS

I WILL HELP OTHERS ALONG THE WAY

We spent some quiet time writing about who inspires us, and how we will honor their inspiration. One of the girls even made a snarky joke about how I inspire her! And then immediately took it back. Still, it was beautiful to hear the girls talk about the people they look up to, and that make them want to be better (most of them were women of color!). And we just had a lot of fun. This much fun:

Black history is awesome to learn about–but it’s even more awesome to share the learning experience with young women of color. To understand that black is beautiful, that black people are over-comers, that black people can inspire, too–that was a powerful lesson to share with these girls.

black like me

November 6, 2013 by Arley Arrington

in 1960, journalist john howard griffin, a white texas native, disguised himself as a black man and traveled through the deep south for 6 weeks to experience life as a “second class citizen”. black like me is griffin’s published journal from his 8-month project–it is a short, powerful read, and i highly recommend it. what struck me the most about his tale is that, while we claim to live in a “post racial” society, the core of his experience more than 50 years ago still resonates with so much of the african american experience today. especially in regard to the many recent instances of our legal system failing to protect and honor the lives of people of color, and the fear and distrust that those incidents have created in many african american communities. this scene from the book took place the morning after a mississippi jury acquitted a group of men who kidnapped and lynched a young black man:

I handed the paper back to Sterling. In a voice heavy with anger he held it at arm’s length and read: “The calculated lack of respect for law and order in Mississippi has unmade it a veritable jungle of intimidation, terrorism and brutality where only the fittest survive. Further, it has shamed the United States in the eyes of the world and added to the shame of the South, already experiencing strained tense and explosive race relations because white supremacy mob rule substitutes too often for democracy…”

He lowered the paper. “That’s what pisses me off. They rant about how the rest of the country’s against the Southern white–hell, how could they help being? Well this just proves it. This is what we can expect from the white man’s justice. What hope is there when a white jury won’t even look at the evidence against the lynch mob?”

I could find nothing to say.

“We might as well learn not to expect nothing from Southern Justice. They’re going to stack the cards against us every time,” Sterling said.

No one outside of the Negro community could imagine the profound effect this action had in killing the Negro’s hope and breaking his morale.

griffin’s tale is a heartbreaking and inspiring one, leaving us with this warning: “we will all pay for not having cried for justice long ago.” as christians, we’ve heard this before: