This degrading term dates back to the 1830’s. Therefore, dating it back to the Civil War. Abraham Lincoln’s election in 1860 caused seven southern states to secede and form the Confederate States of America; four more states soon joined them. The Civil War was also called The War Between the States and ended in Confederate surrender in 1865. This war was fought on American soil causing some 620,000 of 2.4 million soldiers killed and multiple injured. In the early 1830s, the actor Thomas Dartmouth “Daddy” Rice was propelled to stardom for performing minstrel routines as the fictional character’s popularity grew. “Jim Crow,” was a caricature (It is not a man. The Jim Crow spirit originated from a man.) of a black enslaved man. Rice claimed to have first created the character after witnessing an elderly Black man singing a tune called “Jump Jim Crow.” He later appropriated the Jim Crow persona into a minstrel act donning blackface which became popular in the U.S. after the Civil War. White performers played characters that demeaned African Americans by performing jokes and songs in a stereotypical dialect. Rice’s minstrel act proved a massive hit and later took it on tour around the United States and Great Britain. The show’s popularity spread. “Jim Crow” became a derogatory term for Black people. The Jim Crow system and it’s name and popularity as a fictional character eventually died out, but the phrase took on a revived life and morphed in the late 19th century, finding new life as a blanket term for a wave of anti-Black laws laid down after Reconstruction. Some of the most common laws included restrictions on voting rights. Let’s move to even more serious consequences to derogatory activities.
Jim Crow reminds me of the encounter Jesus had with the healing of the demoniac {Matthew 8:28-34; Mark 5:1-20 and Luke 8:26-39}. He was in or near the portion of the lake in Gadarene territory. Matthew calls it Gadara. Luke outlines the vicinity going to the Gentiles. That means that the Gospel is spreading and of course that leads to some resentment in the process. Jesus attests to some believing and as always some not believing. Regardless of the technicalities, two demon possessed men met Jesus. The demoniac who is the speaker runs up to Jesus and throws himself at Jesus’ feet. He is naked, socially isolated; lives in the tombs, had unnormal strength, but as demons do, he knew of Son of God the Most High God. He broke chains and the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him nor could anyone pass that way. He would cut himself with stones.
When Jesus came His presence made a pronounced change in the demoniac. He was healed. Some of the Jim Crow laws have been denounced. Some are dying and being hung on the gallows. If they have not already, they should be erased from the law books except for historical purposes. Jim Crow laws, the system cannot survive. They are already pronounced “dead.” “Jim Crow” is a spirit just as the demoniacs were possessed, Jim Crow is possessed and it’s time is limited. Remember the demoniac, who was the talk and terror of the town? He saw Jesus at a distance. He ran, fell on his knees, shouted in a loud voice, “Jesus Son of the Most High God? I beg you that you won’t torture me {before the appointed time}. JESUS SAID, “COME OUT OF THIS MAN, YOU EVIL SPIRIT!” The demon essentially asks Jesus, What do you want with me? Why have you come and interrupted my life? What’s your business with me? Demons know who belong to Jesus. Just as Jesus says, “My sheep know my voice.” (John 10) The message hasn’t changed. The message of power and authority from Jesus to His committed followers. The demons (Legion, for they are many estimated to be 6,000) knew not to even consider they had power over Jesus. They knew they were condemned and their time was short. That’s why they trembled and shivered. They asked to be sent into the swine estimated at 2,000. Possibly there were three demons for each swine? They were afraid of being sent into the Abyss. They want more time. Matthew 8:29 just as the spirit of Jim Crow wants more time. “Don’t torture me before my appointed time.” They know judgment waits for them. Jim Crow’s time is up! His spirit is hanging on the gallows. Jim Crow is defeated. No longer can Jim Crow frighten, intimidate and torture. Be alert. Jim Crow isn’t just limited to African Americans now. No, don’t misunderstand.
The Jim Crow spirit will torture ANYONE of any culture. It is a spirit of “hate.” Jesus drove out the demons to save the life of one man. As the scriptures say, “How much more are we worth than the birds of the air, the sparrows, the lilies which are clothed in more glorious attire than Solomon. Jesus loves each of us. He wants all to be saved. We are urged to pray away these evil spirits to the Abyss. Drown them like the swine. Kill them just as they are driven over the cliff. Let us all pray and drive these evils from our country, (USA is not a racist country. It is founded on Christian Values. We must speak this.) Drive the spirit from our homes, our cities, states, towns, our schools where our children can learn and develop careers) Thanks for reading! Jeanette Grattan Parker, Founder-Superintendent Today’s Fresh Start Charter School 323-293-9826 www.todaysfreshstart.org; Askdrjeanette® www.askdrjeanetteparker.com [email protected] “Inquiring minds want to know.”© All rights reserved. Ask Dr. Jeanette Parker® The Holy Bible; (History.com writer references Evan Andrews & Alexis Clark) The Chronological Life of Christ Volume 1 Mark Moore pp. 258-261)
