Mississippi has fought long and hard to move past its history of racism and discrimination, but a recent incident proves that racism is still very prevalent the Southern state.
Charles and Teandrea Wilson learned the hard way that Christian charity did not extend to them when they were banned from marrying at First Baptist Church in Crystal Springs, Mississippi. Charles and Teandrea, who attend First Baptist (but are not members) had sent out wedding invitations for their special day when the church’s pastor called with some shocking news.
“The church congregation had decided no black could be married at that church, and that if he went on to marry her, then they would vote [the pastor] out the church,” Charles Wilson told Fox 6 in Alabama.
Teandrea said “I was not brought up to be racist. I was brought up in the church all my life to love and care for everybody.”
Dr. Stan Weatherford, the pastor of First Baptist Church, was told by congregants that he would be fired if he performed the ceremony in their building. Instead, Weatherford married Charles and Teandrea at a nearby local church.
Watch the interview below:
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