Education takes a lot of hits because it has been an assembly-line, factory process for a long time. Much content is taught in fractured pieces and left unassembled which is one of the unintentional hardships or failings of the process. For example, we learn history by areas, like American history, without ever putting the experience together with the other history timelines except for the times they intersect. These are fractured connections without giving enough context to the other timelines to create a feel or understanding for the people involved. Fractured teaching, fractured timelines, fractured lives,  are true signs of the enemy at work.

Last weekend I went to the dedication of the Richardson Community Center as a historical site. It is necessary to understand Richardson and the timeline of African-American education to understand the lives of fellow Americans in Columbia County, or possibly, anywhere. I was stunned to realize how I had never realized that segregation had such a terrible impact on me. I saw much more clearly that my Black neighbors and I lived and experienced life in separated timelines, only connecting the dots at points of intersection without really having a context to understand, fully accept, and appreciate my neighbors. I had never assembled the timelines into one. We share the same community, the same desires for health and well being, the same faith. We are one people with two separate experiences caused by the division of Satan who continually pits us against each other instead of our living in the joy that God created us uniquely with gifts and talents to bless each other. 

Avoidance of the uncomfortable is a normal human trait. It is normal to avoid leaving your “comfort zone,” as they say in church, and venture out into the unknown. I have many African-American friends who are very important to me. However, Richardson was like taking a dive into their world experience instead of having them in mine. I experienced a mental shift that was more expansive than before. I watched the celebration of life and history in this part of my community. It was beautiful. Many of their heroes were persons who were models for me at the school where I taught. I took them for granted and didn’t realize what true trail blaizers they were for their community. They were giants. I went from intersection to context. My timeline was merging.

They were telling stories of life, hope, joy, and sorrow. I could completely relate to so much. Their sports, clubs, dances and more were like mine, so many things so much the same. Their hopes were like mine. So much the same, but so much was different. 

Charles, a man I met at the event, could not ride the Columbia County white school bus to attend classes in Columbia County where he lived. His parents had to buy him tickets on the Greyhound bus so he could attend school in Welborn, the only destination he could take. He graduated from school when I was thirteen. Segregation and its warfare-like transition began when I was nineteen/twenty. We shared a timeline, separately. They were experiencing the curse of oppression while I experienced the curse of separation from the beauty and life God had put in them. One of the differences was that they knew they were under attack, but I didn’t realize I was suffering until I began building friendships.

All men fail. It is Satan who has used these failings to divide us. We have allowed the evil one too much room to work in our relationships. It is evident not only in racial struggles but also in the terrible attacks on marriages and families. The enemy divides to conquer and oppress. The Lord does not. The fruit of the spirit does not include oppression, division, or cruelty. It is easy to find fault, but the Lord would have us find favor, to rejoice in His creation, to celebrate the gifts and talents He has placed in each person, to follow His goals and purpose, and to stand against the wiles and schemes of the enemy. We can join our timelines into one walk with God.