September 15: Home to Harlem

Welcome to the American Catholic Daily Reader podcast. Today is September 15th, and our story is Home to Harlem. Where does conversion begin? More specifically, where does conversion for a communist-supporting, Western-civilization-hating, openly bisexual, Black Harlem Renaissance poet begin? For Claude McKay, it began in Europe's cathedrals. Born in Jamaica on September 15, 1889, McKay immigrated to America in 1912. Just seven years later, He left his adopted home of Harlem for England. From there, he journeyed across Europe, North Africa, and Russia. Although only a few years earlier, McKay had written poems blaming the Christian West for ravaging the Black Land of Africa, something in the ancient holy places he visited during his travels made him question his agnostic views.

What jeweled glory fills my spirit's eye, he wrote after visiting a church in St. Petersburg, Russia, what golden grandeur moves the depths of me? In 1940, with four acclaimed books of poetry, three successful novels, and a short story collection under his belt, McKay returned to New York and became a U.S. citizen.

Soon afterward, both his health and finances failed. A Catholic acquaintance came to McKay's rescue and took him to Friendship House, where the staff provided him with food, shelter, and medical care. In their charity, McKay found another reason to rethink his opinion on Christianity. And the more he learned about the church's social teachings, the more convinced he became that Catholicism held the answer to racial and economic injustice. Having already rejected communism, McKay decided to devote his energies to the church's work among the marginalized.

He moved to Chicago in 1944 and took a job at Friendship House's headquarters. He also became an advisor to Auxiliary Bishop Bernard Scheel of Chicago on black affairs and communism. By that point, McKay was studying the church's doctrine and contemplating conversion. But beautiful cathedrals and social teachings weren't enough. In a June 1944 letter to a friend, he explained that before he could convert, he had to make sure his belief was intellectually honest and sincere. Conviction came before summer's end, and in October 1944, McKay entered the Catholic Church.

He died four years later. McKay's journey illustrates that faith can transform even the most skeptical hearts. Exposure to beauty, truth, and charity can awaken curiosity, reflection, and ultimately conviction. Reflect on a belief or habit that may be hindering your spiritual growth.

Take one step this week to explore truth or charity that might transform it. Thank you for listening to the American Catholic Daily Reader podcast. Join us tomorrow, September 16th, for another story of faith and courage in America.