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Standing On Holy Ground: A Triumph over Hate Crime In the Deep South
A harrowing tale of how faith and friendship can surmount hate and violence
After a vicious hate crime destroyed St. John Baptist Church in Dixiana, South Carolina, in 1984, two courageous women risked their lives to organize the rebuilding effort. Ammie Murray, a white union leader, and her African American friend Barbara Simmons braved death threats to successfully lead an interracial group of volunteers to reconstruct the historic African American church. But their joy was short-lived. In 1995, St. John was the first of more than one hundred southern black churches plagued by a series of arsons during a two-year period. The obstacles to erecting the church once more seemed insurmountable but proved no match for the tenacity of those determined to see St. John rise again.
Standing on Holy Ground is an inspiring tale that proves friendship, reconciliation, spiritual strength, and enduring hope can transcend racial hatred. In a moving narrative, Sandra E. Johnson chronicles how the fearless duo of Murray and Simmons sparked a victory against hate crime in their community and became leaders in a national battle against violence and vandalism.
After a vicious hate crime destroyed St. John Baptist Church in Dixiana, South Carolina, in 1984, two courageous women risked their lives to organize the rebuilding effort. Ammie Murray, a white union leader, and her African American friend Barbara Simmons braved death threats to successfully lead an interracial group of volunteers to reconstruct the historic African American church. But their joy was short-lived. In 1995, St. John was the first of more than one hundred southern black churches plagued by a series of arsons during a two-year period. The obstacles to erecting the church once more seemed insurmountable but proved no match for the tenacity of those determined to see St. John rise again.
Standing on Holy Ground is an inspiring tale that proves friendship, reconciliation, spiritual strength, and enduring hope can transcend racial hatred. In a moving narrative, Sandra E. Johnson chronicles how the fearless duo of Murray and Simmons sparked a victory against hate crime in their community and became leaders in a national battle against violence and vandalism.
352 pages, Paperback
First published May 16, 2002
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
February 22, 2017
Seem to read like a text book . . .
June 13, 2019
The "dark corners of the south" happens to be an area that I lived a few years back because of its deep water lakes and lush trees that change color with every season. A generationally black community with trickles of what I call " red necks" living among with their mama, their daddy, auntie bessie, and brother billy.
As a single white woman, I was more frightened of the white folk than the blacks there and with good reason.
This book details that fear of a community recovering from racial bullying with the help of some fearless volunteers. Inspirational.
As a single white woman, I was more frightened of the white folk than the blacks there and with good reason.
This book details that fear of a community recovering from racial bullying with the help of some fearless volunteers. Inspirational.
July 2, 2015
After my posting about NATCHEZ BURNING by Greg Isles, I heard from a former student who reminded me of this book and the truly remarkable woman, Ammie Murray, who inspired it. With what is happening in my state (SC) now, I thought I wanted to go back and reread about the good we are capable of doing in the face of evil. So glad I did. This is not fiction; it is absolutely true. An honest, well-written account of one of the saints who have walked amongst us.
May 19, 2019
Fantastic book! One of the few books, I can count on one hand, that had me in tears when it ended.
January 26, 2017
Amazing story of faith & good people coming together against terrible hate-filled people & overcoming evil with love for each other. Well written.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews