Despite the advances in racial issues in America, religious establishments are still not integrated between African Americans and Whites. More specifically, churches have remained to be segregated in the majority of America. In the article, Why many Americans prefer their Sundays segregated, this issue is discussed at great length. According to numerous studies, only five percent of churches in America are racially integrated. Curtiss Paul De Young, author of “United by Faith” defines an interracial church as, “one in which at least 20 percent its membership belongs to a racial group other than that church’s largest racial group” (De Young). Further studies by De Young have shown that half of this five percent of the racially integrated churches are on the path to becoming either all-white or all-black. (De Young). The article describes both sides of the coin, discussing both the hardships of keeping an interracial church and the advantages of integrating churches. No matter the reasons, it is hard to comprehend how a country that united around a black candidate for president still has a hard time praying together on Sunday mornings.
Despite the fact that Native Son by Richard Wright may not seem to be related this article from afar, the same ideas and principles resonate across both platforms. Bigger, the main character in Native Son, witnesses the “walls and barriers” between whites and blacks. The two are separated on so many levels that when Mary and Jan treat Bigger like an equal, he is confused and to an extent afraid. Whites and Blacks, both in the past and in today’s society have a ton of different qualities and characteristics that get discussed, but what often is not talked about are the similarities between the two cultures. In the CNN article it is stated that the two races common goal on a Sunday morning is praying. Why should it matter what color your skin is? Yes, the two races may have different methods of divining, but the country and integration have evolved so much since Native Son was written that we should be able to put aside our differences. Dwight Pryor is a perfect example about how our country has developed since the novel was written. Pryor is an African American who grew up in a segregated Mississippi town where people of his race were tortured and beaten by whites. Therefore, he grew up with hatred towards white people. Through meeting in Wilcrest, an interracial church, Pryor is best friends with a white member of the congregation. This man grew up in a segregated Mississippi town and his family hated African Americans (Blake). Despite this, they have put their differences aside and have a strong bond. In Native Son, there was a huge barrier between African Americans and Whites, one that is still obvious is some foundations nowadays.
Members of segregated churches should get with the times and become integrated. The country has put an end to most of its racial problems and churches are the next institution that needs to be integrated. Blacks, Whites, Latinos, and Asians, all united to elect the first minority president. It should not be hard for people of different races to unite in religion, and in all other establishments.
Blake, John. “Why many Americans prefer their Sundays Segregated.” CNN. 18 Mar. 2009
