Connecting the History of Black Bottom Detroit to the similar forms of injustice in our own community and putting our faith in action for a better tomorrow.
The 2018-2020 Global Mission Fellows Cohort came together for a weeklong mid-term training event in Detroit Michigan to discuss the different forms of power, privilege and oppression perpetrated in systems across the US. Each Group discussion and hands on training was very thought provoking, but for me the highlight of the training was when we took a tour of down town Detroit, historically known as "Black Bottom". The reputable tour guide, Jamon Jordan, President of the Detroit Chapter and Association of African American History, delivered a high spirited and powerful presentation of the city overcoming racial and economic barriers. I recognized many parallels of injustice throughout the tour to my hometown in Baltimore Maryland-and Tacoma as well- such as redlining infrastructure and segregation and racial discrimination stimulating the reality of today.
From various monuments to church structure and different historical sites, every stop told a story that put us in the footsteps of our ancestors significant stories and harrowing paths of breaking chains of injustice. Major highways were eventually built through the community to General Motors, ultimately shifting the dynamic of the city but the hidden history continues to paint a resilient picture. The engaging and eventful tour ended at the Gateway to Freedom International Memorial, remembering the slaves that stepped out on faith, swimming the Detroit River to Canada for freedom. We have traveled a long way since then but different form of racial and economic barriers are still causing some to swim over troubled waters. 'We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal", on this journey forward to a free nation under God, in Jesus name, Amen.
Because of the devastation of the afflicted, because of the groaning of the needy, Now I will arise- Psalm 12:5
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