Black Churches and the Fight for equality
How has the Black church been an integral part in the fight for Black equality in Northern Virginia?
The Black Church has been integral in the fight for equality for Black people. The Black church especially within Northern Virginia has served as a place of refuge and support for those who are fighting for equality. They have also been integral in providing spaces for meetings and rallies to take place to aid the fight for equality for Black people within Northern Virginia. (Paterson, 2015) In its beginnings the Black church has been integral in the fight for equality. From the inception of the Black Church them fighting for the ability to have church and preach to all those both freed and enslaved showcases the ways in which they have wanted to cultivate spaces for equality for Black people within Virginia. Fighting to be able to give knowledge in times in which gathering and sharing knowledge was illegal Black Churches have been able to support the fight for equality. Fighting for the ability to be seen as human even when not fully recognized as such. Also, in fighting for equality for voting rights Black churches have been the backbone to many movements and more. (Turner, 2020)
The importance of Black churches in Northern Virginia are in their ability to fight for equality. Black churches have also been important because they provide support to all those who pass through their doors. There are many ways we can see Black Churches in Northern Virginia support the fight for equality in Northern Virginia. Black Churches in this area were able to provide resources for the fight for equality and that in itself is an institutional labor that has been provided by the Black people within Northern Virginia. Northern Virginia sits in a unique space. It is so close to the capital and feels the push and pull from not only southern Virginia but the push from the capital. Northern Virginia sits on a unique space as it has been the heart of domination and control. Throughout the genesis of Black churches in Northern Virginia they have worked to promote equality within Northern Virginia moving beyond the notion that they are just notions of spaces to worship. In the 60s Civil rights movements were backed by Black Churches almost everywhere and Northern Virginia Especially.
Black churches have taken over many roles many include civic duties that support the fight for equality. Looking at institutions like the NAACP we see that. Since its inception many of its backings have been by Black churches and their members have supported the NAACPs fight for equality many Church leaders within Northern Virginia even today take stances on equality and the betterment of their community. Looking at Shiloh Baptist Church and Alfred St. Baptist Church to answer how Black Churches in Northern Virginia have been so integral in the fight for equality. Shiloh Baptist Church and Alfred St. Baptist Church have had the unique experience of being close together. As they sit only blocks away from one another they have both been able to effect change in the fight for equality. Although created almost 60 years apart they have both made great impacts and have been able to support their community through being apart of the NAACP or on school boards to fight for equality in the k-12 school systems. Also interesting enough Shiloh Baptist church and Alfred St Baptist church have worked together to find homes the General delegates of Virginia in 1910. (Patterson, 2015) Member of both churches are members of the NAACP.
The images below represent information I was able to gather on the involvement of Black churches in the fight for equality. These images also represent unique role Black churches have had in the fight for equality. They have also been important in pollical gains across parties. (Turner, 2020)
