Photo courtesy of Fiston Okito
AU students condemn racism
Africa University students in Mutare, Zimbabwe, express solidarity with victims of racism in the United States. The students issued a statement condemning racism in the U.S. and likening it to tribalism witnessed in parts of Africa. (Photo courtesy of Fiston Okito via UM News.)
A United Methodist Insight Column
Wednesday will be a big day for United Methodist efforts against racism.
The day begins at noon (EDT) June 24 with “Dismantling Racism: A Service of Lament, a denomination-wide observance at UMC.org/EndRacism. According to a United Methodist Communications announcement, “United Methodists from around the world will gather to lament for the racism in our midst. We will also reflect on Psalm 22, have a time of communion and hear God’s call to join in the work of dismantling racism and pressing on to freedom for all.” The service marks the first event in the “Dismantling Racism” unveiled by United Methodist bishops ln June 19.
Then at 3 p.m. (EDT) June 24, the General Commission on Religion and Race will host a Facebook live “Real Talk” discussion featuring four pastors talking “about what it means to preach courageously against racism in our world today,” says GCORR. Featured will be the Rev. Stephanie Vader, the Rev. Kil Jae Park, the Rev. Dr. Jay Williams, and the Rev. Dr. Larry Pickens. “Real Talk” is GCORR’s ongoing web series about dismantling racism.
Two marches, one message
Bishop LaTrelle Miller Easterling, episcopal leader of the Baltimore-Washington Conference, joined two marches on June 18 and 19 to speak out against racism in America, urging United Methodist pastors to preach regularly on the topic. The Rev. Erik Alsgaard, managing editor for BWC’s outstanding communications program, reported that Bishop Easterling had strong encouragement for clergy:
“’Baltimore-Washington Conference: I implore you; I implore you,’ the bishop said, her voice rising, “as you go back to your places of worship, back to your campuses, back to your churches, back to the places where we gather, to be bold and prophetic witnesses of the Gospel of Jesus the Christ. To have the difficult conversations about race and White supremacy and oppression.’
“And those conversations will be difficult, the bishop said, because some people will push back; some will even call it ‘ungodly’ behavior. But talking about racism is not ungodly, she said, it is our duty.
“’And so I ask of you,’ Bishop Easterling said, ‘once a month, to preach a sermon, out of Christian Scripture …, and preach a word in the way that God intended it to be preached, and call us all into an introspective analysis of who we really are.’
Watch recorded live streams of the two events.
Africa University students condemn racism, tribalism
Eveline Chikwanah, a United Methodist communicator in Zimbabwe, reports for UM News that the International Students Association at Africa University “has condemned racism in the U.S., likening it to tribalism that the group says is rife on the African continent.” After the May 25 killing of George Floyd, the students issued a document, titled "A Public Statement on Racism and Abusive Police.” Filibus Bakari Auta, a divinity student and president of the International Students Association, said, “In Africa we have seen racism manifesting in the form of tribalism where a certain tribe considers itself more superior over others.” Read the story on UM News.
Clark-Atlanta U. to offer full scholarships to Rayshard Brooks’ children
United Methodist-related Clark-Atlanta University along with local restaurateur Pinky Cole, a Clark-Atlanta alum, will offer full-tuition scholarships worth more than $600,000 to the four children of Rayshard Brooks. Mr. Brooks was killed June 12 by an Atlanta police officer in the parking lot of a Wendy's restaurant. According to a press release and an NPR report, the scholarships will be available to all four children when they are ready for college. Mr. Brooks is survived by three daughters, ages 1, 2 and 8, and a 13-year-old stepson.
According to NPR, Ms. Cole, “who graduated from the university in 2009, is the CEO and operator of the Atlanta plant-based burger restaurant Slutty Vegan. She also heads the Pinky Cole Foundation, which focuses on empowering people of color to succeed financially and follow their entrepreneurial dreams.” Read the Clark-Atlanta press release.
Race in Sermons
Black Americans: Religious sermons should address racism
Pew Research Center writers Besheer Mohamed and Kiana Cox report that a study conducted before the killing of George Floyd shows that Black and white Americans differ in their views about whether religious sermons should address race relations and criminal justice reform. The two write:
Six-in-ten black adults (62%) say it is important for houses of worship to address “political topics such as immigration and race relations” – including 23% who say covering these topics is ‘essential.’ By contrast, 36% of white Americans say it is important for sermons to deal with these topics, and only 8% say it is essential. Four-in-ten white Americans (42%) say these themes should not be discussed in sermons. Hispanics are more divided on this issue than black or white Americans are; about half (53%) say it is important for sermons to cover political issues.”
Cynthia B. Astle serves as Editor of United Methodist Insight, which she founded in 2011.