Local Jackson church holds day of reflection and healing
JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – From Douglass to Duck Hill, bridging two Americas – one buried and one born – a group consisting of a few dozen individuals came out to Fondren Presbyterian Church on Saturday to learn about a North Mississippi tragedy, along with understanding more about the African American experience through the eyes of a historical civil rights activist.
“We’re talking about the experience – particularly African American experience – of America through the lens of Frederick Douglass, as well as exploring the history of two men who were brutalized in Duck Hill, Mississippi,” Talamieka Brice, local filmmaker and storyteller, said.
From Douglass to Duck Hill, a local event, brought people together from around our area, all eager to learn more about the Magnolia State’s past so they can start building a better future.
“I think we can’t really look to the future of race relations until we examine the past because the past is why we are here. You have to check the rear view. You have to really get grounded in the history in order to be able to be on the lookout for things that are repeating patterns,” Brice continued.
This community event was strategically held on the same weekend which Americans celebrate Independence Day.
Those in attendance had the chance to hear a reciting of Fredrick Douglass’ speech “What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?”
Brice, who is also the Executive Director of Mississippi2, said she hopes people will begin to heal while also examining their own family’s history.
“I’m just looking to people just doing the hard work of healing, to examining their own family history. The way I came forward to the story of Bootjack and Red is actually through my grandmother, who was a little girl at the time. She was, I want to say eight or nine when she heard the cries of Bootjack and Red in the woods and how she then told me that story as a little girl – as a five year old,” Brice said.
Bootjack and Red were two African Americans from Duck Hill, Mississippi, who were lynched in 1937.
This happened after the pair was accused of murdering a white store owner. Those who came to the event were taught about this tragic moment in history through a series of short films. The pastor of Fondren Presbyterian Church, Rev. David McDowell, said racial reconciliation is one of his church’s missions.
“This is a church with a deep, rich history of the city of Jackson and the work of racial reconciliation in the city of Jackson. It’s the spiritual home of former Governor William Winter and Elise Winter, and so we really feel a deep call to be a part of this thing. We consider it a mission,” McDowell said.
The new pastor of Fondren Presbyterian Church said the church plans on hosting more of these community events in the near future.
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