On November 15, the Episcopal Church will host and produce a forum centering on a critical topic for our times: Fifty Years Later: The State of Racism in America. Originating from St. Andrew's Episcopal Cathedral in Jackson, MS (Diocese of Mississippi), the 90-minute ecumenical forum will be live webcast beginning at 1 pm Central (2 pm Eastern).
The forum will be moderated by well-known journalist and PBS
commentator Ray Suarez. Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori will
keynote the event. Two panel discussions will focus on main themes: Racism in America today - why does it persist? And Racism in America's future - where is there hope for change?
"This offers
Episcopalians and others an opportunity for continued truth-telling and
reconciliation, as we seek a society of justice," noted Presiding Bishop
Katharine Jefferts Schori, a keynote speaker for the event. "We say we
believe all human beings are made in the image of God. Do we give
evidence of it?"
Panelists will be
recognized leaders from faith groups, NGOs, the media, academia and
government. The forum will begin with a thought-provoking video, and
viewers will be able to submit questions to the participants during the
live webcast. The forum is ideal for live group watching and discussion,
or on-demand viewing later. It will be appropriate for Sunday School,
discussions groups, and community gatherings.
This event
embodies with two recent General Convention resolutions: Resolution 2000
A-047 on Anti-Racism General Convention 2000: Resolved, that the
Episcopal Church continue its work to overcome the historic silence and
complicity of our church in the sin of racism, that we become a church
committed to ending institutional and other forms of racism, and that we
overcome the historic silence and complicity of our church in the sin
of racism; and Resolution A143 of General Convention 2009: to encourage
dioceses to study slavery, segregation, and discrimination in their own
communities. The event also supports two Anglican Marks of Mission:
in dealing with issues of racism a) To respond to human need by loving
service (Mark 3), and b) To seek to transform unjust structures of
society (Mark 4).
Resources such as
bibliography, on-demand video, materials for community and individual
review, discussion questions, and lesson plans will be available. For
more information contact Neva Rae Fox, Public Affairs Officer, publicaffairs@episcopalchurch.org.
