Honoring the End of an Injustice

March 26, 2007

Author: JAMIE MCGEE

Source: The Post and Courier

http://www.charleston.net/assets/webPages/departmental/news/default_pf.aspx?NEWSID=136260

Standing on the shore of the Cooper River with drums and singing voices filling the air, men and women of all ages, religions and races threw sprigs of rosemary into Charleston Harbor on Sunday afternoon.

The green herb of remembrance was tossed into the water to honor the hundreds of thousands of African men and women who arrived along the same shore centuries ago to face a life of bondage.

Simon Lewis, director of the College of Charleston's Carolina Lowcountry and Atlantic World program, organized the interfaith event to celebrate the abolition of the Atlantic slave trade.

Leaders and members of religious factions throughout the Lowcountry, including Buddhist, Islamic, Jewish, Baha'i and various Christian communities, gathered on the Liberty Square lawn to sing, pray and celebrate the end of the transoceanic slave trade that was the root of economic prosperity in South Carolina.

The Rev. Christian King, director of the Pink House, a West Ashley after-school literacy and health awareness program, said it was her hope that children might learn more about their roots and be reminded of the great lengths it took to bring about change.