Michigan Episcopalians confront America’s racial past on Alabama pilgrimage
The Episcopal Diocese of Michigan recently organized a pilgrimage to Alabama, with 44 participants, aiming to foster racial understanding among its 76 worshipping communities and over 14,000 members. Led by Bishop Bonnie Perry, the group visited key sites that highlighted the history of racial injustice in the US.
The journey began at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute and the 16th Street Baptist Church, where a 1963 bombing killed four young girls and injured others. The group then traveled to Montgomery, visiting the Legacy Museum, which frames history from the perspective of those brought to the US against their will, and the National Memorial for Peace and Justice, honoring victims of racial terror lynchings.
Rev. Sister Veronica Dunbar, who heads the Spirituality and Race Mission of the diocese, organized the pilgrimage. Participants, including Rev. Dean Aponte-Safe seeking to understand police brutality and racial bias, and Juanita Woods, who experienced segregation firsthand in Jackson, Mississippi, reflected on their experiences. Bishop Bonnie Perry described the trip as a foundation for a movement of love and understanding.
The pilgrimage, a first step towards building greater racial understanding, was a significant event for the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan. By visiting these historic sites, participants gained insights into the evolution of slavery and racial injustice, fostering empathy and unity among the diocese's members.
