The year was 1908. An angry mob gathered blocks away from the spot where Abraham Lincoln gave his farewell address to become the 16th President. Blocks from the steps where Barack Obama announced his candidacy for President. It was here in Lincoln’s hometown that the unspeakable occurred. The Springfield Race Riot of 1908.

100 years later, the community gathers on the first Saturday of each month to commemorate the atrocities, and heal our collective pain body. We meet to reverse the curses spoken and to promote racial harmony in our city. We sing, worship and pray together, then march to one of the landmarks where the violence occurred.

Sandy Robinson, the Mayor’s liaison on race relations, and Nick Staokovich, founded the Springfield Ministerial Alliance (www.springfieldministerialalliance.org), a collection of pastors and churches which plan and facilitate these events. Their hope is that Springfield, Illinois, the capitol city of Illinois, sometimes called “Little Washington”, will positively affect the state, and eventually the nation. It is no coincidence that where once African Americans were lynched and killed, there stands the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. No coincidence that social service agencies stand on the grounds where men were mercilessly hung. The members of this Alliance resolve that what was intended for harm will become healing, and what was once cursed will become blessed. 2008 has been declared the Year of Racial Reconciliation in our community.

In his book, “A New Earth”, Eckhart Tolle speaks of healing the collective pain body. This is an excellent example of that very concept enfleshed in human form. Today, August 2, 2008, the Mayor presented an official apology and proclamation to end racial divides in our city. I believe that this is the beginning of a national trend. Come and see.

Beauty from ashes, grace from fear, healing from heartache, hope from despair.

Respectfully,     

Sherry Frachey