Standing on Holy Ground
A Triumph over Hate Crime in the Deep South
Sandra E. Johnson
“A ruthlessly honest account of the new progressive South still struggling with a very
old legacy of hate.”—USA Today
“A shocking and ultimately heartening case study of political involvement, social
action, and religious faith.”—Publishers Weekly
“A gripping page-turner. . . . This touching and compelling story of the heinous effect
hate crimes can have on a community delivers the uplifting message that people can
overcome hatred and renew a community.”—Library Journal
“Shows how faith, love, and sheer bullheadedness may lose battle after battle against
racism and still win the war.”—O Magazine
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.
Method of payment:*
Check or money order: (payable to USC Press in United States dollars)
Credit Card:
Account number:
Discover
Mastercard
Visa
Exp. Date
Month/Year
Signature:
Name (please print):
Phone:
Sandra E. Johnson has taught writing at
the University of South Carolina, and her
work has been published in the Washington
Post, Transitions Abroad, and Columbia
Metropolitan Magazine. A guest columnist
for the State newspaper, Johnson lives in
Columbia, South Carolina.
STANDING ON HOLY GROUND
SEND ME _____COPY/COPIES
(PB, #1-57003-613-6 AT $19.95 EACH) $ _____
SOUTH CAROLINA RESIDENTS ADD 6% SALES TAX $ _____
SHIPPING AND HANDLING $ _____
(ADD $5.00 FOR FIRST BOOK,
$1.00 FOR EACH ADDITIONAL BOOK)
Shipping Address:
TOTAL $ _____
CODE AUTH
*ORDER FORM FOR UNITED STATES ORDERS ONLY. FOR INFORMATION
UNITED STATES, PLEASE CONTACT THE
APPROPRIATE SALES REPRESENTATIVE ON THE BACK .
ON ORDERING OUTSIDE THE
718 Devine Street, Columbia, South Carolina 29208
800-768-2500 • 803-777-5243 • fax 800-868-0740
Visit us online at www.sc.edu/uscpress
FOREIGN SALES REPRESENTATIVES
Asia & the Pacific
(including Australia & New Zealand)
East-West Export Books (EWEB)
Royden Muranaka
University of Hawaii Press
2840 Kolowalu Street
Honolulu, HI 96822
Phone: (808) 956-8830
or (808) 956-8697
Fax: (808) 988-6052
E-mail: eweb@hawaii.edu
Canada
Scholarly Book Services, Inc.
Brian Donat
127 Portland St., 3rd floor
Toronto, Ontario M5V 2N4
Phone: (416) 504-6545
Fax: (416) 504-0641
Europe & United Kingdom
The Eurospan Group
Andrew Wong, Marketing Manager
3 Henrietta St.
London WC2E 8LU, UK
Phone: +44 (0) 20 7845 0819
Fax: +44 (0) 20 7379-3313
E-mail: andrew.wong@eurospan.co.uk
Central & South America
University of South Carolina Press
Business Office
718 Devine Street
Columbia, SC 29208, USA
Phone: (800) 768-2500
Fax: (800) 868-0740
E-mail: lmack@sc.edu