Interracial Travel and Christianity

2008-01-19T20:56:00.000-08:00

DON’T Shuffle off to New Buffalo!

In 1789, African-Americans were defined in the Constitution as 3/5 of a person for counting representation, and could not vote. In 1865, following the Civil War, African-Americans were given the right to vote and the "3/5ths clause" was rescinded. Keep in mind that according to the 15th Amendment “The right... to vote shall not be denied or abridged... on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude."

In the many years to follow, many states did all they could to ensure that blacks would not be able to vote. "Literacy laws,” were put into place which required that a person be able to read before they could register to vote. Since most African-Americans at the time were illiterate, that effectively prevented their voting. There were many cases before the Supreme Court, mostly in southern states, in which means of blocking the vote were removed.

Not until Civil Rights movement of the 1960s, were the last of the racial restrictions finally removed. Prior to the 1960s, the Supreme Court had determined that schools could be "separate but equal," which meant there were separate schools for African-Americans. During the 1960s, the Supreme Court enforced the desegregation of the schools on the grounds that "separate is inherently unequal."

Legally speaking, the right to vote came with the 15th amendment. But socially speaking, it took the Civil Rights movement to make it a reality.1

And now you’re probably wondering, “So what does this have to do with New Buffalo, Michigan?” My wife and I are an interracial couple and recently married. We enjoy traveling together every chance we get. About a year ago, it was recommended by one of her co-workers that we travel to New Buffalo, Michigan. She was told it was a quaint little town with lots to see and do. Indeed, as described in, www.newbuffalo.com, a website published by “jAess “ Media of Vicksburg, Michigan…

“New Buffalo greets visitors with a large and modern refuge harbor, a full service transient dock facility, an around-the-clock public boat launch. There is plenty of shopping, places to stay, places to eat, and recreation — making it an ideal place to live or play”.

The web page author further quotes USA Today as saying…

“The glorious summertime sunsets along the lakeshore recall dusk along Florida’s Gulf Coast-except, of course for the greater likelihood of seeing the aurora borealis, or northern lights, after nightfall.”

“How could we NOT enjoy such a get-away?” we both thought. Since we’ve been together, Julie and I have had a wonder life! We owe EVERYTHING we are and EVERYTHING we have to GOD! The most wonderful gift of our life together is the love we have for GOD, for each other and the overwhelming desire to share Gods word and blessing every chance we get! Indeed it’s a wonderful life for us and this weekend getaway soon gave us the opportunity to display his love for us! After driving for several hours we arrived in New Buffalo. It was late and since it was an unplanned weekend get-away we did not make any arrangements for spending the night. We stopped at a fast food place for a bite to eat and to discuss our plan. After eating we drove for a bit. It was a beautiful night and the full moon shown low on the horizon like a huge grapefruit. The nighttime air was crisp but not cold. With the love of my life beside me, everything was perfect. We found our way down a back road and just stopped to enjoy the view of this glorious picture that GOD created just for us. After a few minutes I decided to go to the trunk and get our tripod and camera for a picture of this miracle. While I was rummaging in the trunk, headlights appeared from the opposite end of this back road and drew near. After a few moments a white van pulled up and the driver asked if, “we needed help?” Although he was talking to me he was looking at Julie. When he discovered she was white and I was black he suddenly wanted to tell us that we should get going because “there was a dog loose in the area”. Oddly, after his warning, he did not leave right away. My “situational awareness” kicked in and I knew WE were not welcome here. Along this road there were no houses for miles. Before I continue I must explain that I love my wife very much and, although she was born and raised in the city of Chicago, sometimes she is unaware of pending danger! I threw the tripod and camera in the trunk, got back into the care and we drove away. As we were driving I explained that “the Christian in this fellow showed a genuine concern for HER personal safety”. We laughed as we continued to drive and praised GOD for keeping us safe.

We eventually came upon a hotel closer to the center of this small harbor town and went inside to ask about a room. We were met by a very gruff woman who, although the parking lot was empty, explained that, “there were no rooms available”. Julie and I stepped aside and conferenced for a moment. It was becoming painfully obvious that no one wanted us in this town. No one wanted to have anything to do with an interracial couple. At this point I had resolved myself to coffee and a long drive through the night back to our Schaumburg home, but not Julie! She was now determined to get our message across. This is the United States of America and ANY individual (or couple) should feel safe in going anywhere they please! With GOD at her side she approached the woman a second time and suddenly they had rooms available! The woman went on to apologize for her earlier mistake and explained that there was a big college football game the next day and they expected a rush that never happened. Later in the room we thanked GOD again for his shield that protects us.

The following morning came much too early. Neither of us had much sleep wondering about the rocky start to our weekend and fearing more of the same. While packing we decided to call it a bust and head back home. The hotel had advertising for a local restaurant which was well liked and famous for breakfast. We decided to pack up the car and stop and eat on our way out of town. We made the short drive to the restaurant and were seated right away at a booth towards the back and near one of the serving stations. Most of the waitresses were gathered there and talking among themselves. One particular waitress looked at us scornfully. She was older, tall, skinny ,and wore glasses. Her long dirty blonde hair was tied back and she resembled the waitress in every “B” movie. NOT to my surprise I overheard her talking to another waitress and say “I’m not gonna wait on them”! It was obvious she was supposed to be our waitress when she passed us several times to serve other customers. “This is how we know that GOD loves us” I told Julie. She looked at me in complete and utter confusion. I went on to explain that GOD presents us with opportunities like this to let our Christianity show! The “Chicago streets” in her began to come out and the Christian woman I love so much couldn’t be found! I had to calm her down. Eventually a much younger, newer waitress came over from another section and took our order. By the time our food arrived Julie was too upset to eat. The situation that started the previous night was getting worse, not better! How do Christians resolve things like this? What would Jesus do in this situation?

At last the painful meal was over and it was time to leave. Our waitress brought us our check and I took it to pay. The total bill was only 9 dollars or so but just then GOD touch me on the hand. We went back to the table because we had no change for the tip. I called our waitress over by name and handed her a twenty dollar bill. Julie and I both thanked her and told her to have a blessed day.

As we drove away it became so clear that we live in a world where we are challenged every day. That challenge, to be a Christian, plays a significant part in our happiness. It’s not about the challenge to be a Christian as much as it is the response to that challenge. When the response is to be a blessing to someone, no matter what the challenge or circumstance, GOD keeps us safe. Every day we’re alive is filled with opportunity! The joy we (Julie and I) find in doing GOD’s work, in being a blessing to others, only increases our happiness!

Be sure to visit again and read about our first trip to St. Louis Missouri

Kenneth E. Bradley

Interracial Travels and Christianity 01/19/2008

1 By Jess Gordon at http://www.ontheissues.org/AskMe/15th_amendment.htm