Confronting Racism: Why We Need the Saints

Many Christian faith traditions include a calendar of saints in which the church celebrates the particular witness of saints on a daily basis. Today, (July 1), the Episcopal Church calendar of saints celebrates the Christian witness of Harriet Beecher Stowe.

It's especially timely to remember this saint due to the Charleston, SC shootings that were prompted by racism. As African American churches are being set on fire and people are arguing over the use of the Confederate Flag, it's times like this that it's extremely helpful to remember saints from the past who walked the walk and talked the talk. Harriet Beecher Stowe was one of those saints.

Brenda Putnam shares this thought about Harriet Beecher Stowe:

Harriet Beecher Stowe, the American author whose book “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” opened eyes in its portrayal of Black slavery as shocking to all human sensibility. When he met her, President Abraham Lincoln said, “So you’re the little lady who started this (Civil) War.” For 40 years it was the world’s bestselling book, after the Bible.

As we approach the 4th of July weekend and give thanks for our country, may we also confess our racism, both subtle and overt so that we might be the nation that God has called us to be.