Dismantling white supremacy is a critical part of who we are as a congregation. White Supremacy is a system of injustice based on the false idea that white people are more valuable than others and that white lives should take priority in American life. There are some people who call themselves White Supremacists who are clear about where they stand on this issue, but plenty of people unconsciously support this idea. We see it in the many disparities present in society including employment, housing, education, voting rights and we see it woven through our foster care and criminal justice systems. Community Church of New York is committed to the destruction of this system.
In addition to anti-racism training for ourselves and a call for the same training as a requirement for the entire NY police department, calls for criminal justice reform, our active participation in the New Sanctuary Coalition as a Sanctuary Church, and active support of in person protests calling for justice, there are things members of our church can do to bend the arc toward justice.
Here are some resources to help you know what to do when you feel like there’s nothing left to do:
www.naacp.org
106 Things White People Can do for Racial Justice
www.blacklivesmatter.com
Also, for white people, our minister has a podcast episode that might be helpful:
www.hopeandheresy.transistor.fm/episodes/on-pause-episode-1-white-women-race
As part of our ongoing support of efforts to achieve racial justice in America, Community Church supported an event entitled "Ending Police Violence Around the Globe: The Global Outcry" on December 5, 2022. As part of this symposium, activists and experts came together with family members of young Black men whose lives have been lost to police violence to call for change and urge a global movement to end excessive use of force, which disproportionately affects people of color. The event was live streamed and the video is available below.
