Rebuilding Community After Disasters: A ‘Black’ Heritage of Faith?
The ideal of a harmonious community emerging from unsettled forests and bustling cities is rooted in the very beginnings of the modern Judeo-Christian tradition. It is expressed in the 1630 sermon “Dreams of a City on a Hill” by John Winthrop of the Massachusetts Bay colony. In modern times religious philosopher Josiah Royce (1855-1916) originates and then Rev. Martin Luther King Jr (1929-1968) popularizes the term “beloved community.” My talk addresses the question: How have communities rebuilt following disasters like the Covid-19 pandemic? Looking at challenging episodes in Black History—urban riots, hurricanes, epidemics—we explore ways communities rebuild or fail the community ideal, asking: Are we at a critical point of community rebuilding with the weakening of the Covid-19 pandemic in sight?
David McBride has taught African American and U.S. history for over twenty-five years. Professor emeritus (Penn State University), he specializes in medical and health history, as well as community preservation. David has authored several books and many articles on these subjects. Most recently, he has published Caring for Equality: A History of African American Health and Healthcare. David grew up in a large family in a Brooklyn NY public housing project. From that experience, he learned first-hand the power and problems of community building.