By D. Kevin McNeir
Special to the AFRO
One can only imagine the fear and trepidation that millions of Africans experienced over the course of several centuries during which they were kidnapped from their homelands, rounded up like animals and forced to serve as slaves in America.
For many of them, communication would be all but impossible as they were from different tribes and different parts of the continent, which boasts a variety of languages. Still, somehow, they eventually discovered that while they lacked positions of authority that could free them from servitude, they did have power – the power of faith and the power of prayer.
This power, which has served as the foundation of the Black Church in America was on full display during the 7th Annual Martin Luther King Holiday D.C. Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C.
“During the height of the Civil Rights Movement, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. boldly focused on God’s instructions to him because he realized that far too many of us were petitioning the wrong authorities,” said keynote speaker, the Rev. Karen Curry. “Those who have faith understand that within the struggle for equal rights, we are wasting our time if we look to the leaders of our communities to deliver justice for all. Dr. King knew that too. That’s why he put his trust in God – the true and only miracle worker.”
Rev. Curry as she spoke to an audience of more than 100 during the event, held at Matthews Memorial Baptist Church in Southeast D.C. on Jan. 11.
The prayer breakfast, which served as the first of several events slated for this year’s King Holiday celebration, attracted a diverse group of people from across the Greater Washington Area. There were teens and those well into their 80s. Muslims and Christians, Catholics and Protestants, those who believed in the traditional Black Church as well as those who supported more radical forms of faith all attended the prayer breakfast.
Yet somehow, their differences seemed far less important than their similarities.
Ward 5 Democratic Committee Member Hazel Bland Thomas, 70, said she was encouraged to see so many people come out despite the inclement weather and appear to agree with the message that the minister shared.
“The recent pandemic has made it too easy for us to attend ‘Bedside Baptist’ – it’s made some of us believe that we can solve our own problems and those that oppress the Black community in isolation,” Thomas said. “Now is not the time for Blacks to come to services like this looking to be entertained. We’re here to be reminded of the great commission – to go ye therefore and teach all nations. We’re here so we can be rejuvenated so we can then take the church out into the streets the way Jesus did. If we’re serious about securing the path to equal rights for Blacks, we must be willing to meet our neighbors where they are – not where we think they should be.”
For one native Washingtonian, Dr. Margaret Scott Graves, the prayer breakfast and the many diverse elements that made up the program, confirmed what she’s believed for most of her life.
“The Black Church has long been the most social and educational institution in our community, but with many of the stalwart members aging out and dying, we need an infusion of new blood,” Graves said. “If we start with our neighborhood schools and listen to our children, I believe we can build a cadre of new members – younger men, women and children – who will see the power that the Black Church still has. For those already in the church, we’ve got to consider changing our priorities. We must put ourselves in the shoes of our children and adults who are finding it more and more difficult just to make it one more day. One thing’s for certain, if the children come, their parents will follow,” said Graves, who serves as the First Vice President and Program Chair for the Greater Washington Urban League Guild in Northwest D.C.
Two candidates hoping to secure the recently vacated county executive position in Prince George’s County when a special election is held in March shared personal testimonies about the power of prayer in their lives.
“My children’s grandparents moved here from places like Alabama and parts of Virginia where they faced intense racial discrimination,” said Rushern Baker, who served as the county executive for Prince George’s County from December 2010 to December 2018.
“They were among those Blacks who Alain Locke was talking about when he, around 1900, coined the phrase, ‘The New Negro,’” Baker said. “They wanted more for themselves and for their children and it was their faith that helped them believe that nothing could stop them but themselves. Today’s prayer breakfast reminds me that what matters even more is what we are doing to help others in our communities.”
“We still have not realized Dr. King’s dream, but if we work together, I believe we can,” said Tonya Sweat, who is also a candidate for county executive for Prince George’s County.
“King’s dream was not only about equality it was also about opportunity. I’m fighting for those children who don’t believe it’s possible for them to ever rise above their current circumstances,” said Sweat. “But if it was possible for a little country girl from South Carolina who never knew her biological father, to serve in the military, graduate from law school and work with U.S. presidents, then it’s possible for them to dream and achieve what others say is impossible.”