Darby: ‘Make his goals and dreams our goals and dreams’
John Rainey, an old friend and collaborator, unexpectedly left this world a couple of weeks ago. At first glance, John and I might have seemed to be improbable friends — a fairly outspoken AME preacher when it comes to issues of freedom, justice and civil rights and an affluent “old South” Republican 10 years my senior, who helped to elect two GOP governors.
We became friends, however, because when political barriers were laid aside, we embraced similar goals and dreams. John raised funds for the African-American History Monument that sits on the State House grounds, produced “The Corridor of Shame” — a video documentary on inequities in public education in South Carolina — fought the state lottery that preys inordinately upon those of modest means and was an irritant to those in both major political parties who cared more about politics than about people and principle. He lived his faith.
His memorial service, which was attended by South Carolinians of all colors, social classes and political stripes, bore visible witness to his life’s work. I was privileged to offer a prayer, which said in part, “the best way to honor John’s memory … is to carry on his work, and make his goals and dreams our goals and dreams.”
Remember John’s life and work and the words of that prayer in a time when many otherwise decent people build and maintain walls of division instead of bridges of understanding. The scriptures of my faith tradition include the creator’s condemnation of those who engaged in destructive behavior, but also include the words of the prophet Isaiah: “Come now, and let us reason together.”
That “reasoning together” requires people of good will to engage in honest self-examination and dialogue on how we interact with those who aren’t “like us,” and to consider ways to eradicate the barriers that impede progress for all of God’s children.
Thanks, John.
Rev. Joseph A. Darby
Presiding Elder, Beaufort district
African Methodist Episcopal Church
Charleston
This story was originally published March 29, 2015 at 8:00 PM.