The state NAACP is lining up more non-Evangelical Christian groups to oppose the Wake County school board majority's elimination of the socioeconomic diversity policy.
As noted in today's Durham News religion column by Flo Johnston, a group calling itself the Concerned Clergy of Durham plans to release a statement Friday in opposition to the changes being planned in Wake County. They're following up on the actions of the Wake County Clergy Coalition.
“We need to be more active, not sitting around twiddling our thumbs while the potential for re-segregation is coming into play again," said the Rev. Marilyn Hedgpeth, an associate pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Durham. "I hope we have learned from our past not to go there again."
Interestingly, they're planning on releasing their statement at a news conference at 11 a.m. Friday at the main office of the Durham Public Schools, 511 Cleveland Street. Durham abandoned its diversity efforts awhile ago.
The decision to release the statement came after a meeting last week in which the clergy heard from Tim Tyson, a Duke University historian and a member of the state board of the NAACP.
The NAACP has already gotten the backing of some church groups.
Nearly two weeks ago, Bishop Richard K. Thompson, Presiding Prelate of The Eastern North Carolina Episcopal District of The A.M.E. Zion Church, announced the district's opposition to the changes going on in Wake.
"We can no longer sit in our sanctuaries silent while it is evident that covert activities are turning back the hands of time," Thompson said in a NAACP press release. "We are placing Wake County on notice. This cannot happen, and will not happen, without our voices being heard and our presence felt. We will be the voices for those who cannot speak for themselves!”
Thompson said they'll mobilize the church’s clergy, laity, and members of their respective local communities. Thompson presides over 400 churches and 40,000 members from Durham to Manteo.
At last week's rally at Pullen Memorial, the Rev. William Barber, president of the state NAACP, said he also expects to receive the support of the General Baptist State Convention of North Carolina. This would be a big deal as the convention represents the state's black Baptist churches.
Barber also said last week that he's expecting the support of his denomination, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ International). It's a network of black churches from around the nation.
As previously noted, Barber and other supporters of the old diversity policy have steeped their arguments in a religious and social justice context.
There's been no large-scale support by Evangelical churches in support of the school board majority. But individual groups such as Called2Action have backed them.
CORRECTION
Changed to show that Barber's denomination is part of the Disciples of Christ International. Link also changed for denomination website.
Comments
Getting Involved
Fri, 08/19/2011 - 03:48 — StopSegregationNowHello, I found this article and some pretty shady communication. The veiled racism is wearing thin, and truly, the Tea Partiers are showing their true "colors" over the last week, especially. In any event, I am asking if someone may be willing to post any contact information regarding how to become involved in the work of Stopping this Segregation! As a child of the sixties, I have seen only a glimpse of the sacrifices made by many for the Freedoms which are now eroding, and I am not ready for you to "Take Our Country Back" to the Pre~ Civil War Era! I don't know if I will ever understand the fear of exposure to diverse ideas, cultures, and schools of thought. I only know that this is not the environment I want to leave behind for my Grandsons. I know what "Neighborhood Schools" means as well as each and every one of you who is a staunch supporter of that, and the length of the supposed bus ride or the health and well being of a "sick child whose parent lives to far to afford to pick him up" are not your concerns. You live in fear.
I welcome any links or information so that I can do my part to ensure the proper diverse contact needed to occur under educational conditions — where there is equality in status, existence of common goals, and intimacy of interaction, and guaranteed so it will have positive effects. Educators need to create a racially integrated learning environment that goes far beyond simply putting diverse students together in the same classroom. So, believe me, the few "non~ white" children you think you are exposing your children to, may help THEM at least to learn to accept diversity, however, I suspect, as History has proven all too well, hate is not a family value, and if you raise them with hate and fear, they will continue that legacy in your family.
Correction re: Disciples of Christ
Wed, 06/30/2010 - 20:51 — Apexter"Barber also said last week that he's expecting the support of his denomination, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). It's a network of black churches from around the nation."
I have a family member who is an retired pastor in the Disciples of Christ Church. All of the churches of this denomination I have attended are welcoming to parishoners of all races. However, I don't see where you got the impression that it is a network of black churches. Take a look at the pictures that you see on the denomination's website at http://www.disciples.org/
That being said, I wouldn't be surprised if he is able to wangle the support of the denomination. Being good people, I think that many within the church will be taken in by Mr. Barber's words, as have many of the local clergy. I think that they would expect only the truth from a fellow pastor. I don't think that they will realize that Mr. Barber's "truth" comes from his vision through a warped lens.
I put the wrong link in. The
Thu, 07/01/2010 - 10:32 — KeungHui (author)I put the wrong link in. The Disciples of Christ split off between white and black congregations in 1868. It's analagous to how there's a separate Baptist convention for the state's black chures. See article here: http://www.disciples.org/tabid/58/itemid/555/Disciples-and-Assembly-Churches-Continue-To-Build.aspx
I should have put the link in for Disciples of Christ International.
Thanks for the update. I
Thu, 07/01/2010 - 18:44 — ApexterThanks for the update. I wasn't aware there were two different groups.
Just another illustration that Sunday is the most segregated day of the week.........
"Just another illustration
Sat, 07/03/2010 - 14:09 — woodstock"Just another illustration that Sunday is the most segregated day of the week..."
Wow, that is a powerful and enlightening statement. It sheds a little light on the contrast between what people say and what they do.
What do you mean
Wed, 06/30/2010 - 19:13 — carson79What do you mean "evangelical"? There's a lot of blurry lines around that term - what denominations are you talking about? I know you mean not Catholic, but what else are you trying to convey through this term?
Since people get a lot more
Thu, 07/01/2010 - 10:33 — KeungHui (author)Since people get a lot more uptight about calling a church liberal than a secular group, non-Evangelical is a closer fit to describe the groups backing the NAACP. You're basically seeing mainline churches involved here.
Oh...
Thu, 07/01/2010 - 14:51 — Bob_SconceYou're going to get yourself in trouble either by suggesting that evangelical churches aren't mainstream (especially here), or by suggesting that the traditional mainstream churches are taking sides here. There's a broad spectrum -- lots of churches are neither liberal nor evangelical.
Hui's right
Thu, 07/01/2010 - 18:13 — carson79He means mainline in the traditional definition I believe, so he should not run into any trouble - if a Southern Baptist is trying to argue he's in a mainline denomination, he's got bigger problems.
Disagree
Sat, 07/03/2010 - 00:26 — Bob_SconceWhen the Lutherans, Methodists, Presbyterians, Catholics and Episcopalians all take sides, then I'll agree that the mainline denominations are involved. Southern Baptists are generally Evangelical, and represent a huge percentage of the Baptist churoch and a lot of people. To me, that sounds mainline. but, that's my point -- it's not well-settled.
ot-yet equally disturbing!
Wed, 06/30/2010 - 12:17 — AngelaWBeverly Perdue, the Democratic governor of North Carolina, was tapped by her colleagues today to serve as the chair of the Southern Regional Education Board for the next year.
Gov. Perdue, a former classroom teacher with a doctorate in education, (how many folks with those credentials have made it into governor's offices?) will emphasize college completion rates and career readiness among the 16 member states of SREB, which stretch from Texas to Delaware. She has orchestrated a similar policy agenda in North Carolina since becoming governor, according to SREB. The multi-state board has brought particular focus to this issue and released a report earlier this spring highlighting how college completion rates are even worse than high school graduation rates.
Gov. Perdue succeeds West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin III as chair of SREB. Gov. Manchin will assume the chairmanship of the National Governors Association next month
I would like a list of ALL
Wed, 06/30/2010 - 11:58 — aquaman4life68I would like a list of ALL the churches and "churches" backing the NAACP. Since they ALL have the voting power here in Wake County!
I don't know. But you've
Wed, 06/30/2010 - 11:38 — KeungHui (author)I don't know. But you've got a lot of churches involved here.
Pfft....
Wed, 06/30/2010 - 10:17 — Bob_SconceHow hypocritical. If the assignment-for-diversity policy is such a good thing, then why aren't these churches pushing to institute the policy in their own communities?
Keung--how many of these churches are affilliated with the NAACP?
It depends on what you mean
Wed, 06/30/2010 - 10:27 — KeungHui (author)It depends on what you mean by affiliated.
Why don't you take a stab at
Wed, 06/30/2010 - 11:44 — woodstockWhy don't you take a stab at what affiliation may mean in this case and offer some insight.
the question does not make any sense
Wed, 06/30/2010 - 12:58 — Athey01the NAACP is not "affiliated" with any church... it's a totally separate institution. A member of a church may be member of the NAACP, but there is no "NAACP" ministry in a church, black or white.
Sure..
Wed, 06/30/2010 - 14:35 — Bob_SconceAs a technical matter, you're right. However, there are a lot of ministers in the NAACP leadership. It's no surprise that Rev. Barber's church opposes the change.
???Affiliated--pastor/clergy
Wed, 06/30/2010 - 15:02 — DrActualFactual???Affiliated--pastor/clergy is NAACP member, church receives grants or services from NAACP organized groups, church members are largely NAACP members, etc., NAACP or speakers from similar groups frequently attend and speak/provide forums at these churchs. Mr. Hui, have you seen affiliations beyond these?