“Racism is an evil which endures in our society and in our Church. . . We do not deny that changes have been made, that laws have been passed, that policies have been implemented. . . But neither can it be denied that too often what has happened has been only a covering over, not a fundamental change..”

- Pastoral Letter of U.S. Bishops, "Brothers and Sisters to Us"

 

SCHEMA [click for content]
White Racism in the United States: A Schematic Presentation of its Components
By Harry Cook

 

"There was a time when the church was very powerful. It was during that period when the early Christians rejoiced when they were deemed worthy to suffer for what they believed. In those days the church was not merely a thermometer that recorded the ideas and principles of popular opinion; it was a thermostat that transformed the mores of society. Wherever the Christians entered a town the power structure got disturbed and immediately sought to convict them for being 'disturbers of the peace' and 'outside agitators...'

Things are different now. The contemporary church is often a weak, ineffectual voice with an uncertain sound. It is so often the arch supporter of the status quo. Far from being disturbed by the presence of the church, the power structure of the average community is consoled by the church's silent and often vocal sanction of things as they are."

- Letter from Brimingham Jail, Martin L. King, Jr.

 

Powerful Article
"White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack" by Peggy McIntosh

 

Take Action Now
To learn more about racism issues visit:

• Martin L. King, Jr. www.thekingcenter.com
• Project of Southern Poverty Law Center www.tolerance.org
• YWCA www.ywca.org
• Institute for Women’s Policy Research www.iwpr.org

You can also subscribe to periodicals and/or newspapers which feature analysis of race issues. (e.g. Sojourners, Mother Jones, National Catholic Reporter)

 

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