Standing on Holy Ground: A Triumph Over Hate Crime in the Deep South

By Sandra E. Johnson

Book Overview

A harrowing tale of how faith and friendship can surmount hate and violence

After a vicious hate crime destroyed St. John Baptist Church in Dixiana, South Carolina, in 1984, two courageous women risked their lives to organize the rebuilding effort. Ammie Murray, a white union leader, and her African American friend Barbara Simmons braved death threats to successfully lead an interracial group of volunteers to reconstruct the historic African American church. But their joy was short-lived. In 1995, St. John was the first of more than one hundred southern black churches plagued by a series of arsons during a two-year period. The obstacles to erecting the church once more seemed insurmountable but proved no match for the tenacity of those determined to see St. John rise again.

Standing on Holy Ground is an inspiring tale that proves friendship, reconciliation, spiritual strength, and enduring hope can transcend racial hatred. In a moving narrative, Sandra E. Johnson chronicles how the fearless duo of Murray and Simmons sparked a victory against hate crime in their community and became leaders in a national battle against violence and vandalism.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1570036136
• ISBN13: 9781570036132
• Release Date: August 2005
• Publisher: University of South Carolina Press
• Length: 352 Pages
• Weight: 1.12 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.1" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Amazing

Sandra Johnson is an amazing storyteller! She brought the account of St. John's Baptist Church and the seige upon it to life for all of us who have had the good fortune of discovering this book. It is the incredible journey of hate and love and the enormous range of emotions in between. It is also the tale of unlikely friendships, terrifying and horrifying events, injustice, and the hope and promise of racial harmony. This is a book that I personally hope will be brought to the big screen -- so all those folks who aren't readers will be exposed to this story. (Film producers: somebody out there please take note!) I firmly believe that the entire world needs to learn of Standing on Holy Ground -- it truly is one of the handful of "must read" books. It would be wonderful if every high school or college literature class would somehow use this book as required reading. It has much to offer about friendships, volunteerism, racial inequities, dedication and hard work, and perseverence in the highest form. We should each take it upon ourselves to spread the word of this book, for it was by accident that I learned of this extraordinary tale. I was not surprised that Ms. Johnson was awarded the coveted Christopher Medal for her effort in bringing this true story to life. I anxiously await her next book with her special gift to convey emotions, report facts, mesmerize the reader, and spin the tale to the upmost. Don't keep us waiting Ms. Johnson!!

A MUST READ!

A really good book - easy to read and follow. The author makes you feel as if you have known Ammie personally, along with all the other players in this story. For most of us, we have not been exposed to the prejudice and hatred that exists around us and the pain and heartache that is produces. It brought me to tears several times, but it also warmed my heart. I highly recommend this book to all. I was introduced to this book by Ammie's daughter, Christy. Christy played an integral part in my new book "Angels and Quilt Pieces...Our Journey with a Katrina Family" - which will be available July, 2007. Christy was one of our "Angels" and gave us the "quilt pieces" story and theme.

Standing On Holy Ground: A Triumph Over Hate Crime in the De

I was fighting tears before I finished the first chapter. I thought we had come farther than this. What broke my heart was not just that a few twisted individuals would commit such atrocities, but that the victims did not trust the system to come to their aid. That speaks volumes. We still have a long way to go and Sandra's book has made that abundantly clear. Those who helped turn things around for this church are true heros and much braver than I. Betty Wilson Beamguard

A Tribute to Truth, Determination, Faith & Courage

STANDING ON HOLY GROUND is compelling and thought-provoking and reads like fiction, but becomes all the more riveting and terrifying when you realize it's a true, unadulterated story of the modern-day South and the racism that still exists. But it is also a story of triumph and how two women, against all odds, brought a community together -- a community that reached out beyond the town, the county and the state and effected thousands of concerned citizens in America. Sandra E. Johnson's prose is solid, unbiased, but also visceral an unblinking in its re-telling of the obstacles and challenges faced by two friends (one black, one white) and their fight to save a rural country church from hated and racism. This is a "must-read"!

"A Masterpiece!"

Sandra E. Johnson has created a masterpiece in journalism! No bias can be found anywhere in her book--only the facts. As the story unfolds, one truly begins to feel as he or she were treading on Holy Ground (page after blessed page). Upon reading this book, no one can ever say againg that the truth is boring or that real stories must be embellished for artistic flare and entertainment. Johnson's words hammer home every riveting detail in a fashion that makes the reader feel as if they are gliding through a well-written novel. Who needs fiction when you can have this kind of truth?Through telling of how diverse people banded together to rebuild St. John Baptist Church, Sandra Johnson shows the world that love, faith, hope and a spirit of unity can come together to work miracles. It is a message that she proclaims to us all and we're the better for it.