By the time we reached OBU the morning we were due for our visit, we’d received the reprieve of hospitality...informing us we would not only NOT be allowed on campus as visitors as assured up until that time, we would also be arrested if we attempted to go to the church for chapel service.
And so we walked up the public street through Oklahoma Baptist up to the front of their beautiful chapel, yards of concrete, spanning the distance between our feet and a cross. The first five to step onto the property of God were arrested because they did not turn away, the remainder were denied access to chapel and lined up in front to sing our own songs of hope, leading an exile chapel service of songs, verses, and personal stories. Then Rev. Scott Jones, gay alumni who is still working within the school walked past us, across the street to a small gazebo a few feet from the line of demarcation. He went to lead a bible study but as we followed, we were kept at the gate, unable to pass so we knelt outside the white picket fence on sidewalk, meditating and praying, telling stories and voicing questions to the OBU officials who stood close by.
The following day we came again, walking silently onto campus, a weaving line of shirts and faces embroidered "Soulforce". We came back to the chapel to sing again, and greet the day, as a group of as gathered to begin to sew together a tapestry of many colors. This tapestry was created from words of OBU students and equality riders bringing light to the lives of the closeted students on campus, and the lack of safe places they had to turn to, the loss of faith resulting from the words of others who lead them to believe they cannot be Christian and gay. We knelt on the ground in groups writing words or sewing small lovely scraps of cloth together. By the time lunch was finished we returned to sew the last pieces, and hand the precious symbol to 5 Riders and two PFLAG mothers. Unhurriedly, the group carried it between themselves, deep purpose in each step, surrounded by our voices singing spirituals and songs of hope.
The intensity is building on the Ride
They were arrested quickly, by power walking officers, and though the riders were taken away, the tapestry remained on the ground, crumpled, until two students grabbed it from behind officers and delivered it to the student union building where it had been intended for. I can’t describe the infinite feelings I felt during these scenes... the sidewalk lined with Riders singing old spirituals while handcuffs were placed on wrists. These moments did not, and will never stop. They are irrevocable actions; permenant images in the memories of people who witness them; they continue to be relived each day.
Here are photographs of the ride thus far, adam britt is amazing and documents our indescribable moments well.
http://www.adambritt.net/EqualityRide.html
