Black Church engages in neo-slave catching instead of Abolitionism

There was a time in the USA when the Black church was involved in the abolition of slavery. Since the end of the civil war many have come to falsily believe that slavery was abolished by the 13th Amendment of the US Constitution and President Lincoln was the hero that made it happen. The truth of the matter is that slavery was only amended in 1865 and it was prescribed as a punishment for those convicted by a Jim Crow jury.

It is sad how much things have not changed except instead of working to end slavery by another name, some Black churches are now assisting the neo-slave catchers known today as law enforcement. Instead of having church meetings discussing “mass incarceration”, churches are now hosting meetings to facilitate the processing of neo-slaves on the run from an unjust system.

Instead of helping fugitive slaves escape, the Galilee Missionary Baptist Church at 2021 Herman Street in Nashville, Tennessee is helping to catch non-violent fugitives.

Of course there are some who see valid reasons for the church participating with law enforcement to bring people to “justice”. One might say it may prevent some unarmed person in the community from getting shot down in the streets like Walter Scott, the North Charleston man who was shot in the back as he ran from Officer Michael Slager.

However, if a church is not engaging in efforts to end modern day slavery aka mass incarceration or policing for profit, pulling their church deposits out of Banks that invest in private prisons, then perhaps they should not be engage in helping neo-slave catchers do their jobs.

“I am proud to be able to extend a welcoming hand to persons coming to this church on September 18th and 19th who want to make life better for themselves and their families,” said Rev. William Harris of Galilee Church, who  police said was among community leaders who asked for the Fugitive Safe Surrender program this year.