The first time I attended an anonymous meeting was difficult as I was the only raisin in a bowl of rice. Truth be told, one of the tenets taught by the grown folk in my day is to never tell white people the truth about your life at home. At the time that I was taught this, the only whites I encountered were my school teachers, law enforcement, social workers, and firemen. 

Yet, here I am cracking open the door and while I may not be stripping down to my birthday suit; I have taken off my jacket and shoes to step into the pool of peer self help.

Over the years, I have oftentimes been one of the few attending an anonymous meeting. I’ve met good people. Yet, there is a barrier that is hard to discern. With the exception of one anonymous meeting, I never felt unwelcomed.

The anonymous meetings whether it focuses on alcohol, drugs, overeating or other abuses share a common core system of beliefs based on The Big Book © 1939 which was originally published for alcoholics. The Book contains encouraging stories of recovery and has been updated numerous times over the years.

I did notice that most anonymous groups (I cannot nor do not speak for all anonymous groups across the globe) meetings are usually NOT hosted in predominantly African American churches in the U.S.

Of the one group that I’ve heard about that did rent space for anonymous meetings in an African American church, the minister sabotaged one of the most important anonymous guidelines regarding G/god; “Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.” 

Thus, the minister began to prosthelytize the group which in its initial state worked miracles; but then, this group disbanded as most of its members fell backward into their habits. In short order, they were robbed of their opportunity to come clean with themselves so that they could do the hard work of recovery.

In most anonymous groups, you choose your relationship with God/god i.e s/he can be the Christian deity, the Budha, any religion really or if you are atheist or agnostic, the emotional support of the group can be the spiritual element from which you draw sustenance.

For most African American churches and followers, God offered as an option is NOT optional.