Dismantling Structural Racism
EMBRACING RACE - The Conversation is teaming up with NAACP Camden County East Youth Council and others for a private screening of Origin on March 17, written and directed by Ava DuVernay, and based on Isabel Wilkerson's NYTimes bestseller, Caste - The Origins of Our Discontents. Purchase tickets via Eventbrite link below:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/origin-movie-private-screening-tickets-854133003807?aff=ebdssbdestsearch
The proceeds of this event go towards the Youth Council's Annual College Tours, where members of the Council and surrounding community have toured schools all over the country from Dartmouth to FAMU. Contact embracing.race.conversation@gmail.com for more information.
The ticket price is $25 and includes popcorn and drink.
Our vision: We advocate and act to breakdown the systems, practices, and thinking that underlie discrimination, bias, prejudice, and oppression of people of color.
Structural Racism is the normalizing of racism within institutions and structures. Once racism is structural and institutional (as it is in the United States), it creates ongoing, persistent inequality. Inequality occurs in accessing money, land, housing, education, health, information, and social power. Because inequality is a part of the structures and institutions that we interact with every day, it often goes unquestioned and unchallenged by most of society or the dominant culture. In the United States, structural racism particularly advantages white people while producing negative impacts for people of color.
- Racism is measured not by intent, but by its impact on those who are oppressed.
- Racism can be overt or covert, individual or systemic, intentional or unintentional.
- Racism grants privilege to some and sustains the dominant group.
- Racism exists everywhere in our society, and in all institutions, including our church.
Some of our efforts and our partners' efforts:
Courageous Conversations - As a predominately white community, we strive to increase awareness of white culture and to decrease discomfort with speaking about race through ongoing conversations. See educational resources and opportunities on the Adult Education page.
Exploring the History of Race in Haddonfield - We seek to explore the lack of racial diversity in our town, using the resources of the Haddonfield Historical Society.
Reaching Out in Healing Ways to Support and Partner with Other Organizations - First Presbyterian's Session recognizes that throughout U.S. history African American composers have not been compensated equitably for the music they have created. To remedy this in “our little way,” the congregation is invited to make a donation whenever we sing an African American Spiritual, whether it’s the choir anthem or a hymn. This donation goes directly to The Essence of Harmony Choral Society to assist them in purchasing music, supporting professional musicians, and paying venue fees.
The Essence of Harmony Choral Society focuses explicitly on celebrating the works of both classical and under-recognized African-American composers. In addition, the group presents classics and anthems, spirituals, and contemporary gospel music.
To donate to the Essence of Harmony Choral Society:
To Find More Information About What You Can Do to Dismantle Racism Go to:
· PC(USA) Office of Public Witness under Ministries/ Justice and Advocacy at pcusa.org.
· Embracing Race- the Conversation at embracingraceconversation.org for events to attend and actions you can take (click on the "calendar" tab for dates and times)