By Belinda T.
I love random moments that open my eyes to a new experience. That’s one of the many gifts of this recovery program and process.
Not long ago, I was cleaning out an old filing cabinet in my office here at Lansing Central AA, and ran into a folder with this article at the front.
Apparently in 1949 there was a “Western Michigan AA News” newsletter and someone had highlighted a short blip about Lansing. World War II was newly ended. Only 16 years earlier had Michigan repealed prohibition. Women had been voting for 30 years. Lansing’s city population was just over 92,000 according to U.S. Census information. Lansing was in accelerated growth as an industrial center for automobiles and auto parts. The 1943 race riots over housing and jobs in Detroit were still sending ripples across the state.
And in Lansing, Michigan four groups of alcoholics in AA were starting a Central Committee – which would eventually become this very Lansing Central AA office. Those groups were so humble as to just be named their number. I.e. Lansing Group No. 3.
These groups were also helping promote “inter racial” meetings, when AA was still rather closed to people of color. In 1945, a Black AA meeting was formed in D.C. and St. Louis. Lansing’s fellowship was working toward inclusivity from its earliest days. Our doors were not closed.
I can feel the hope. The hope to find a better way of living, no matter what – no matter world affairs, racial affairs, economic affairs. They would work together to make the message of freedom from bondage to alcohol available.
Women and men and African Americans, joined together in one cause: to help the next sick and suffering alcoholic.
This demonstration warms my heart today with courage and faith that our fellowship can and will continue to carry the message to any and all who need it.