As In Heaven Black History: Reconstruction to Early Civil Rights
In this episode of As In Heaven, Jim Davis and Justin Holcomb welcome back Ligon Duncan for the second of a two-part discussion of the history of black people in America. Duncan began with the onset of chattel slavery in 1619 up to the Civil War in the last episode. In this episode, he addresses the sordid practices of peonage, vagrancy laws, and sharecropping and how they helped pave the way for Jim Crow laws in America. Understanding these historical realities will help white believers understand how they still play a part in our cultural moment and grow a greater empathy for our black brothers and sisters. The group discusses:
- Reconstruction and its flaws, a lesser known era (2:00)
- Black Codes and Reconstruction (9:57)
- Sharecropping and its abuses (18:20)
- Self-perpetuation of “slavery by another name” (20:57)
- Discouraging Black people from voting (24:07)
- A horrific legacy outside the law (26:30)
- The Cloistering of Black people (34:22)
- Isn’t it all just history? (38:25)
- Dr. Ligon and changing the Mississippi flag (43:01)
Explore more from TGC on the topics of Race and Slavery.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. What narrative did you learn about the period following the Civil War, especially reconstruction? What are differences from that narrative from the narrative that Dr. Duncan shares?
2. What are some major events and policies from this era that created or maintained oppressive systems towards black Americans? How did those policies and events shape the future?
3. What are things from this era that have had a profound effect on America today? What about the church today?
4. Why might the histories presented in these first two episodes on the history of race in America be important conversations for the church to have today?