Several recent burnings of historical churches have shifted history forever, but notably, only one of them has received international coverage.
While Louisiana and France are two separate locations with culturally independent symbolisms, the recent fires that destroyed prominent churches in each of the parishes have prompted many to question the media bias exhibited as a result.
Blake Simons, a Twitter user by the name of @BlakeDontCrack, shared a very poignant critique of the situation on Monday.
"A European colonial church burns down and it’s international news," Simons wrote. "3 Black churches in Louisiana have been burnt down by a white supremacist terrorist and it’s been largely overlooked. This is what colonial propaganda in the media looks like."
A European colonial church burns down and it’s international news. 3 Black churches in Lousinana have been burnt down by a white supremacist terrorist and it’s been largely overlooked. This is what colonial propaganda in the media looks like.
— Brotha B (@BlakeDontCrack) April 16, 2019
As Blavity reported, in 10 days, three historic Black churches in Louisiana were burned down by a suspected white supremacist arsonist in March. The churches — St. Mary Baptist Church, the Greater Union Baptist Church and the Mount Pleasant Baptist Church — each belonged to the same parish and were ruined by gas and oil ignition. All of them were over 100 years old.
As Blavity previously reported, Holden Matthews, a deputy's son, was denied bail and charged with three state hate crimes for each arson set to the significant Black places of worship.
A GoFundMe created for the Seventh District Baptist Church fires six days ago has received nearly $400,000 in donations out of the desired $1.8 million thus far.
Still, the international coverage of the domestic terroristic event has remained stagnant, and the hypocrisy displayed following the Notre Dame Cathedral is proof.
CNN reports the 850-year-old structure experienced huge loss on Monday following a fire that engulfed its iconic sphere. Parts of the roof reportedly collapsed inward, although most of the building's structure remains.
The fire lasted nearly nine hours and was declared fully extinguished on Tuesday morning. One firefighter was harmed during the process, but no lives were lost in the tragedy.
Although the cause of the fire is currently undetermined, authorities do not suspect foul play. It is believed that an accident triggered the incident, likely due to an issue related to its renovation process.
The edifice, built between 1163 and 1345 as CBS News reports, had already begun to receive donations for reconstruction before the smoke cleared.
In less than two hours, nearly all major national news outlet covered the event, with millions of people online sympathizing with France's tragic loss and declaring it a global devastation.
By the day's end, three of France's most wealthy families pledged to donate nearly $700 million to the cause, leading the country's devotion to the beloved church ruined in a blaze.
While that is a great feat and no cause to be indignant, the juxtaposition of the reactions are.
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Opinions on social media varied, however, with some agreeing with Simons and others arguing that the French Notre Dame was more noteworthy due to its longevity.
True. Just when they were extreme feudal society with about 90% of the population living as peasants
— FenikzKLR (@Phoenix_dope) April 16, 2019
Then you're confirming what is being said. french art, culture & history is considered what it is because of colonialist propaganda ????????♀️
— name cannot be blank (@_syoks) April 16, 2019
i'm a human & it is not a loss for me. a great deal of money will be spent to restore it, though.
— rosy bear ⓥ (@bearofroses) April 16, 2019
They reported an arrest of a suspect in the church burnings and quickly moved on. "He was influenced by black metal music" and… scene. Go to commercial.
— Vermont is a racist social construct (@jabarisafari) April 16, 2019
It definitely has been overlooked. I even live in Louisiana and didn’t hear shit from news sources at ALL until I did research after someone told me a couple of days after it happened.
— lizzie (@trahanlizzie) April 16, 2019
This is a disingenuous take. Three black churches being burned in the United States is tragic and criminal, and a sign of the decay of our country. The loss of Notre Dame, and 850 years of history, art, and architecture to a single catastrophe is heartbreaking on a deeper level.
— Ryan M. (@enginerd1985) April 16, 2019
As the conversation continues, one thing that may not be lost in this whole ordeal is the power to choose one's historical significance over another and how that impact permeates throughout the globe. One is treasured by the French for its marveled structure and artifacts, while Black Americans cherish the other for its dedication to survival and equality. Both are significant.
If historically Black churches are only treasured by people who have traditionally suffered years of torment and discrimination and not by those who claim to stand against it, what does that say about the rest of the world and the media that informs them?
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