Hi, I’m Naomi Gary and this is my Black Lives MatterSpiritual Awakening moment!
When my first baby was just 6 weeks old, my husband and I travelled back to his hometown of Birmingham, Alabama to visit his family.
It was the first time I’d ever been inside a real authentic Southern Black Church. It was fantastic!
Mount Mariah Missionary Baptist Church is on the corner of Beall and Mildred in the neighborhood calledNorth Pratt. They have a Facebook page and I suggest you find it
It’s also across the street from my husband’s family home. He told me stories of dead bodies laid out on their couch waiting for the funeral. He told me a lot,but actually being in this very spiritual place changed me forever!
Ahhhhh Ummmmmmmmmm AhhhhhhhhUmmmmmmmmm as we walk in there is a deep humming. Everyone is dressed beautifully in bright colors and patterns. The ladies all wear beautiful hats.
Ahhhhh Ummmmmmmmmm AhhhhhhhhUmmmmmmmmm even my baby starts hummingAhhhhh Ummmmmmmmmm AhhhhhhhhUmmmmmmmmm …I’m in complete awe.
I’m the only white person in this church. I’m the only white person within five miles of this church. Everyone was nice but they stared! It helped me understand how my husband felt most of the time being the only black person in a room back in Southern California.
There was a full band …Piano, organ, drums, electric guitar, etc. The preacher was almost singing. It all started slowly but came to a crescendo multiple times. People stood up in the aisles and women feinted or as my husband told me “got happy”. Everyone used a decorative paper fan to cool off. The fan was also usedto emphasize what the preacher said. AMEN! The whole service lasted for several hours and everyone participated in one way or the other.
This was the single most spiritual event I have ever participated in…and for everyone else it was just a normal Sunday at church… Black Churches Matter…Black Lives Matter!!!
