Racial Concerns Archive

Working for Racial Justice
Archive, 2001 - 2002

Coretta Scott King speaks out in support of Miami-Dade County LGBT Civil Rights Ordinance [9-3-02]

People For the American Way seeks support for election reform, with a clergy letter to Congress [8-26-02]

Presbyterian racial-ethnic convocation celebrates cultural diversity, envisions a more inclusive church [8-2-02]

The fifth Racial Ethnic Convocation of the PC(USA) gathered in Los Angeles on July 25-28. PNS reporter Evan Silverstein describes it as part pep rally for a more diverse and inclusive church, and part a call to racial-ethnic Presbyterians to be more engaged in the life of the denomination.

Equal protection of voting rights makes progress in Congress, but still needs support [4-25-02]

The Presbyterian Washington Office celebrates the passage of the "Equal Protection of Voting Rights" by the U.S. Senate, and suggests continued support of this legislation as it goes to the Conference Committee. The Washington Office passes along an Action Alert from the NAACP.

The Presbyterian Antiracism Program has launched its new web page. Mark Koenig invites you to check it out. [4-5-02]

The Christian Right and "racial reconciliation"

[3-16-02]

Andrea Smith, writing for the journal Color Lines (Spring, 2002), examines the growing movement among conservative and evangelical groups toward what they call "race reconciliation." Basically, this new trend involves conservative Christian magazines highlighting the role of people of color in conservative groups. But it also seems aimed at splitting middle-class African Americans from those below them on the socio-economic ladder.

While conservative Christians in decades past have generally opposed civil rights legislation, and even supported the apartheid regime in South Africa, a change began in the '90s, first with Bill McCartney, who organized the first Promise Keepers rally in 1991. He became convinced that God wanted an inclusive movement, and others have followed his lead.

But Smith, who coordinated the Promise Keepers project of the National Council of Churches, notes some crucial differences between this new "race reconciliation" and progressives' commitment to racial justice:

While progressives generally understand that racism is a set of institutional practices that reinforce racial prejudices and maintain white supremacy, evangelicals generally understand racism as individual prejudices -- which can be transformed through the saving grace of Jesus Christ. Evangelism is presented as the solution to racism. To quote the Christian Coalition, "We don't have a skin problem in this country, we have a sin problem." Ironically, this failure to acknowledge any sweeping material or ideological basis for racism enables periodicals to print articles on the evils of racial prejudice and then follow them up with calls to repeal affirmative action, support immigration moratoriums, and oppose multicultural curriculums in schools.

Thanks to Frederick Clarkson for sharing this report.

Black issues need attention [2-4-02]

The urgent issues facing that African-American community - homelessness, drugs, crime and hunger - have been set aside in the focus on "homeland security" since September 11^th. As Black History Month begins, church leaders in Washington, DC, are calling for renewed attention to social issues as well as to security. Check out the full story in the Washington Post.

Thanks to onReligion.com

Akron churches build black-white connections [1-8-02]

Churches in Akron, Ohio, are working to build relationships between black and white congregations - relationships that include enhanced understanding and growing friendships. You can read the Cleveland Plain Dealer report, and visit the web site of the Coming Together Project itself.

Thanks to onReligion.com

UN Racism conference failed, participants say

Presbyterians examine results of recent meeting in South Africa [11-24-01]

At the Presbyterian UN Seminar on the UN Conference Against Racism, held Nov. 14-16, some 40 participants heard reports and analyses of the event's failure as due largely to Arab-Israeli tensions, and the withdrawal of Israel and the US from participation in the conference. Some modest results were seen, however, in the conference's condemnation of slavery - although that fell far short of the move for reparations that African nations had sought.

Charleston five go to trial

Race seems one element in longshoremen's protest in South Carolina [10-31-01]

Five members of two predominantly African-American locals of the Longshoremen in Charleston, SC, go on trial Nov. 13 for protests in Jan. 2000 against a Danish ship's use of non-union labor, charged with "incite to riot" -- a charge which seems wholly unfounded. A statement by religious leaders is being prepared, and you may want to join in on it.

World Conference against Racism -- Presbyterians will be there! [8-20-01]

The US government may not be willing to attend the United Nations World Conference Against Racism, which will take place in Durban, South Africa from August 31^st to September 7^th. But the PC (USA) will be represented at the governmental meeting as well as at a forum for NGOs (non-governmental organizations).

Racism lives in our nation, and in our church -- as was acknowledged by the special anti-racism workshop held before the opening of the 2001 General Assembly. Here you will find items relating to our ongoing struggle against this evil, and links to many other reports.

One of the potentially most important events of the 213th General Assembly was the pre-assembly event which introduced antiracism training to commissioners and visitors on Saturday, June 9. We reported briefly on this in our post-Assembly wrap-up, but have now added more detail to this report. We hope you'll take a look. [8-3-01]

Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney speaks out on need for US participation in UN Conference Against Racism This strong statement by a Member of Congress has been shared with many Presbyterians by our Washington Office. [8-2-01]

The UN World Conference Against Racism will go ahead ... with or without the United States. And a major conference of non-governmental organizations is planned as well, along with a Youth Summit. [8-2-01]

Here are details from the World NGO Forum, as received from the Presbyterian Washington Office.

Christian Coalition is ordered to stop retaliation against four employees who have sued the group for racial discrimination. [7-31-01]

This follows up on an earlier report on this case.

US threatens to stay away from UN racism conference

[7-27-01]

It was reported yesterday (July 26) that the U.S. government is likely to refuse to participate in the long-planned U.N. Conference on Racism, a very significant step toward dealing with the world-wide issues of racism on a world level.

The Bush administration is giving two reasons for its refusal to join in the Durban Conference: The conference agenda includes the question of reparations for past exploitation of human beings through various institutions of slavery, and the issue of the relation of Zionism to racism, which has been advanced by many Arab nations.

Our Presbyterian Church has seen this conference as a step forward in the struggle against racism, and this appears to be yet one more move by the United States to isolate itself from the rest of the world.

What to do?

	Share this concern with friends.
	Call or write to the White House and the State Department, urging our government to keep this commitment (at least, just this one!) and participate in the racism conference.

Secretary of State Colin Powell has been voicing threats to withdraw for some time, and the administration seems determined to avoid dealing with one of the most pressing evils of our time. This is a time when voices must be raised in protest!

Bills are being introduced in Congress which would strengthen policies against racial profiling. [7-27-01]

Reparations for slavery gains support from Disciples of Christ. Assembly calls for national apology.

And the Wall Street Journal reports one case of convict leasing, where reparations seem very appropriate. [7-18-01]

Washington Office urges strong action to get US to participate fully in UN Racism Conference

[Note dated 6/26/01, published here 6-29-01]

Also: Washington Office notes Colin Powell's efforts to limit UN Conference on Racism

The United Nations is preparing for a World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance to take place in Durban, South Africa from August 25 through September 7.

We have not heard a lot about the Conference in the media or from the Federal Government in the way we heard about the 1995 United Nations Conference on Women. The United States participated heavily in the 1995 Conference. There is concern, that the current administration will not participate in the upcoming conference at the high level it has in past conferences. Your letters to the White House and phone calls are needed NOW!!! Get your friends and family to call also. See the draft message below. (Additional White House Comment line is 202-456-1111)

Isn't racial discrimination at least as much of a concern as gender discrimination???

(((((())))))

Subject: URGENT ACTION Bush Letter Writing Blitz

The U.S. government has not heard from non-governmental organizations (NGOs) en mass at all concerning how we feel about the UN World Conference Against Racism (WCAR), what we think of the positions they are taking, and what we expect from them. The US NGO Coordinating Committee feels strongly that we must make our voices heard now!!! It is a critical time because it is only 2 months before the WCAR.

The US government continues to manipulate the process by threatening to boycott the WCAR over an ever increasing number of issues. In addition, they have not made the kind of financial contribution that indicates they are taking this conference seriously. It is clear that the issue of racism is completely off this administration's agenda. We need to let them know that it is central to our agenda!! The timing of this letter writing blitz to Bush could not be better, particularly given the articles in USA Today on Wednesday and Thursday of this week and the Interagency Task Force briefing scheduled for Thursday, 28 June.

What The US NGO Coordinating Committee Wants You To Do:

1. Mail, fax and e-mail a letter to President Bush, highlighting the 5 points listed below. You can add your own issues and concerns, but we want all the letters to at least reflect these points. The letter can come from individuals and organizations. The more letters the better.

President George W. Bush The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW Washington, DC 20500
(202) 456-2461 Comment Line (press 1 to leave a comment)
(202) 456-2461 fax
president@whitehouse.gov

2. On the back of the envelope, print a message about the WCAR like: Send a high-level delegation to the UN World Conference Against Racism in Durban!!! To do this, just write your message in your word processing program, insert your envelope in the printer length-wise so that it will print on the back, and hit print.

3. Call the Presidential Comment Line (202 456-1414) and make these same points.

4. Fax a copy of your letter to President Bush to Ms. Debra Carr, Chairperson, Interagency Task Force on the WCAR, (202) 456-1121 fax.

Main Issues to Address:

Send a high-level, meaningful delegation to the UN World Conference in South Africa.
Stop threatening to boycott the WCAR. Make a commitment to a full democratic process during the remaining preparatory process and a resolute commitment to the WCAR itself without conditions attached.
Contribute more money to the WCAR. To date, the US government has only contributed $250,000; the same amount that the tiny country of Luxemburg has contributed. This compares to an estimated $6 million that the U.S. contributed to the Beijing process. Urge the US government to contribute at least $3 million to the WCAR process.
Provide funds for U.S. NGOs to attend the WCAR. If the US government does not provide money to its own NGOs to participate, no other country will do so.
Establish an entity in the Office of the President to follow-up and monitor the Programme of Action that will come out of the WCAR that is similar to the Office for Women's Initiatives that was established after the UN Women's Conference in Beijing.

Sample Letter:

Write the letter on your organizational or personal letterhead. Please feel free to add/subtract information to make relevant to your sentiments, and/or your organization's perspective and experience.

June 2001

President George W. Bush
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20500

Dear President Bush,

My organization has special accreditation to the UN World Conference Against Racism (WCAR). We have attended a number of expert seminars, regional PrepComs, the PrepComs in Geneva, as well as numerous meetings around the United States in preparation for the WCAR. We are very committed to this process, but feel that issues of race and racism are completely off the Bush Administration agenda!!!

I am writing to you today to urge you to:

	Send a high-level, meaningful delegation to the UN World Conference in South Africa.
	Stop threatening to boycott the WCAR.
	Make a commitment to a full democratic process during the remaining preparatory process and a resolute commitment to the WCAR itself without conditions attached.

	Contribute more money to the WCAR. To date, the US government has only contributed $250,000; the same amount that the tiny country of Luxemburg has contributed. This compares to an estimated $6 million that the U.S. contributed to the Beijing process. I urge the US government to contribute at least $3 million to the WCAR process.
	Provide funds for U.S. NGOs to attend the WCAR. If the US government does not provide money to its own NGOs to participate, no other country will do so.
	Establish an entity in the Office of the President to follow-up and monitor the Programme of Action that will come out of the WCAR that is similar to the Office for Women's Initiatives that was established after the UN Women's Conference in Beijing.

The U.S. government's participation in the WCAR will be very telling as to how seriously you take the issues that are important to me. Please let me know what concrete steps you and your administration are taking to ensure that the WCAR will be a success.

Sincerely, (name, etc.)

Please fax and mail your letter ASAP!!! Circulate this Urgent Action Appeal widely!!!

Links to other reports on racism concerns

The 2001 General Assembly acted on a number of racial issues, and called for a study on reparations for slavery.

Reparations for slavery were an issue at GA

Before the Assembly met, John E. Harris noted that the issue of reparations for slavery would come to the 2001 General Assembly through a report from the Advocacy Committee for Racial Ethnic Concerns. It includes a recommendation for the formation of a task force to study reparations for African-American and other groups "who have experienced significantly disparate treatment" through U.S. history. [4-24-01]

Check out earlier reports on the question of reparations.

Washington Office urges support for legislation to end racial profiling [6-2-01]

Presbyterian UN Office joins in UN focus on racism

[4-2-01]

The Presbyterian United Nations Office has been participating in preparations for the upcoming World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance as part of the continuing work of the PC (USA) to combat racism. The World Conference will take place August 30 to September 7 in Durban, South Africa.

A resolution calling for study of the issue of reparations for slavery has been put forth in the United Church of Christ. It states the issue well, and includes a helpful list of resources. [2-26-01]

Ten African-American employees of the Christian Coalition have filed suit against the organization and Pat Robertson, charging glaring problems of racial discrimination. One white employee charges that he has been fired for refusing to spy on the African-Americans. [3-6-01]