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Spiritual wellness is being practiced in the black church in Northeast Arkansas. Spiritual wellness is understanding your own worth and having a sense of purpose and by being a part of life with values and goals. The story “Spiritual Wellness in Black Culture,” gives the viewpoint of how many in the black communities center their well-being around spiritual wellness, despite their personal struggles and losses during this pandemic. Marion COGIC members gather weekly to pray, sing, and hear sermons that uplift and encourage them to stay positive doing life challenges. According to Pew Research Center, African Americans are more religious than whites and Latinos. “The black church is a safe place where African Americans are respected, honored, and empowered to help themselves and others in their community,” says Dr. Anthony Coleman, pastor of Marion COGIC. “Spiritual wellness in my own personal life is praying, seeking God, reading His word, that is to keep me grounded, rooted; even when I interact with people to be peaceful and loving,” says Minister Willie Morris, an associate minister at 15th Street COGIC.
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Edmondson, Arkansas is a small city with a rich history and a place where many call home.
Edmondson, Arkansas is a small community in Northeast Arkansas with two-thirds of the population is African American. “This is home to me,” says James Mitchell Sr., the oldest resident in Edmondson, Arkansas. James Mitchell is 94 years old and has been a resident of Edmondson, Arkansas since he was 2 years old, in years counting he has been in Edmondson, Arkansas for 92 years. James Mitchell speaks of times in Edmondson, Arkansas when he described the black race was considered “the underdog,” but in spite of the color of their skin, many “work together and got along,” says James Mitchell. Mayor Ira Ewing came to Edmondson, Arkansas in 2012 and has been active in the community since his arrival. In 2017 after some health challenges with Former Mayor Robert Johnson Mayor Ira Ewing became mayor of Edmondson, Arkansas. Mayor Ira Ewing has brought a daycare center to Edmondson which rents two faculties owned by the city. In addition, Mayor Ira Ewing wants to aid the senior citizens as well as bring people to Edmondson to bring more resources into the city. “We got some things, but we can do better,” says Mayor Ira Ewing. Oscar Matthew came to Edmondson, Arkansas 40 years ago, and told his story of how he wanted something for himself, and a purchase a house and move it to Edmondson, Arkansas to raise his family and call home. Oscar Matthew is also a city council member and desires Edmondson, Arkansas to grow. “You never give up,” says Oscar Matthew, city council member and resident. Oscar believes in Edmondson and is looking for something good to happen in the city. Even though Edmondson is a small city it is home to so many and there is potential for some remarkable opportunities. During this time of the COVID-19 pandemic; single black mothers put in overtime aiding their children in receiving an education.
For generations, the single black mother has had many leading roles in the black community, now during this pandemic the role is an educator. With many children at school and home during this pandemic, the single black mother must home school plus fulfill all other obligations as a single parent. Many single black mothers have an overload of providing for their homes that sometime hinders them from properly overseeing and assisting their children with school work. As result of the overload many black children are not to doing well in school. According to Essences, “providing full time childcare and being a COVID full-time work from home mom is unsustainable.” Latavia Scott, a single black mother of two son is at a breaking point with balancing work, home, and now school. “I work 40 hours plus a week to provide for my family, and sometimes I be tried from working all day long,” stated Latavia Scott. Latavia Scott wish that more men were present in the home to assist with daily duties of helping with their own children. Latavia Scott get support from family and friends but she hopes for better days to come. Many people from all over the Mid-South gather at Memphis Levitt Shell to celebrate country blues; the special guest was Blind Mississippi Morris, an American blues musician.
For over 50 years the Memphis Country Blues Festival has been celebrated in Overton Park-Levitt Shell. African American country blues musician who was talented but ignored along with white musicians have had the opportunity to share their music at this festival. The country blues sound of harmonicas and guitars gives medley to powerful voices of the southern soul. The Smithsonian Folk Ways Recording mentions that the lyrics of country blues gives “the African American experience and the hardships of work, life, and love in the American South, and themes of travel, loneliness, and wandering of the blues musician lifestyle.” Friday, October 8, 2021, the Memphis Levitt Shell auditorium was covered from front to back with blankets, lawn chairs, and faces of all colors and ages listen and appreciate the sound of country blues. The Memphis Grizzlies supported with Head Coach, Taylor Jenkins, and Grizzles Grannies. Taylor Jenkins gives greetings and comments about the love and support of the Mid-South. In addition, the Grizzles Grannies was one of the highlights of the evening, these local senior Grizzles fans uplifted the audience with their dance presentation. Blind Mississippi Morris grace the Memphis Country Blues Festival accompanied by Bradd Webb. Blind Mississippi Morris opens his performance by explaining the heart and soul of country blues. He tells the stories of the struggles and the lifestyles of African American in country of Mississippi; and explains how their life experiences became their song of country blues. Morris tells the audience that “true country blues comes from pain.” Blind Mississippi Morris sings many of his greatest hits especially “Mysterious Woman” and “HWY61”. The audience listened and enjoyed the country blue. Gloria Johnson, local Memphis resident, said “I can't wait to bring my family again next year to Memphis Country Blues Festival.” Annually this festival is hosted at the Levitt Shell in Memphis, Tennessee. Many are looking forward to next year's events. Spiritual Well-being in Black Culture
Seth Mitchell, Lifestyle and Culture Journalist During this time of COVID-19 pandemic, many in the black and brown communities experience a sense of safety and security by staying connected with their spiritual well-being. Spiritual wellness is understanding your own worth and having a sense of purpose and by being a part of life with values and goals. Many in the black and brown community center their well-being around their spiritual wellness. “People in spiritual distress often no longer believe the world is a safe place. They might lose hope and have a difficult time finding meaning and purpose in what’s happening to them” according to Eric Hall, president and CEO of Health Care Chaplaincy Network Inc. Although, many in the black and brown community in West Memphis, Arkansas have lost relatives and jobs, some struggle with hunger and others faced COVID-19; yet many gathered with their friends and families sharing overcoming testimonies with conviction having religious services. Men with suits and fancy ties, women with pretty dresses and hats, children with their Sunday’s Best clothes attend religious services weekly during the pandemic. Local ministries follow the federal CDC guidelines such as wearing mask, temperature checks, 6 feet social distancing, and encouraging vaccinations to name a few. 15th Street Church, local ministry in West Memphis, Arkansas, request their members to register before attending services and make accommodation for those that cannot attend in-person due to COVID-19 restrictions. “Our ministry gives our members an option to attend in person or virtually. Either way we can stay connected to our church family,” states Willie Morris, a local minister at !5th Street Church. United Fellowship M.B. Church pastor teach life principles, pray and sing gospel music to keep his followers encourage and inspired during this time of pandemic. Spiritual wellness is essential during this pandemic. The local black and brown spiritual community in West Memphis is consistent at encouraging many in this time to stay centered in their spiritual well-being. |
AuthorHello my name Seth Mitchell. I am a vibrant and energetic personality. I'm a native of Arkansas and now reside in Missouri. I am a Life and Culture journalist covering stories that are meaningful and entertaining to the people of color (Black and Brown communities) and minorities in Northeast Arkansas. Archives
February 2022
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Photos used under Creative Commons from Kheel Center, Cornell University Library, Pest15