My women's group primarily focuses on mission work for women, children, and minorities. One of our suggested projects is a program on racial justice. I put a simple one together last year and was asked to do another this year. When I told our usual Bible study/program presenter which month I was doing it, she said "Oh, I've never done that one, because we don't have any racial issues here."
Um, well...yes, we do. Southwestern PA is mostly rural and not diverse at all. Much of the racism is subtle, although blatant prejudice is not uncommon, either. So, G's comment got me thinking. Why do we need racial justice? We need it because racism is alive and well, despite what we may believe.
Here's where I need Peep help. You can either reply here or PM me, but is anyone willing to share their experiences with racism/prejudice? If you're comfortable sharing the information, I'd like your first name, your race/ethnicity, and your age. You don't have to include it if you don't want to.
I'd really appreciate it! Thanks!
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"I never understood why blessings wore disguises. If I were a blessing, I'd run around naked." - Sophia Petrillo
I went to my state's War on Women protest. In my opinion (and apparently in the opinion of some others there) the purpose of the protest was narrowly focused - women's reproductive rights. Access to BC, abortion, protests against attempts to require transvaginal ultrasounds prior to abortion, etc.
There were many amazing speakers, including a group of men and women who serve as clinic escorts for my area's abortion clinic. They escort patients into and out of the building, letting anti-choice protestors target them with insults vs the patients. Lots of applause for them. Another person got up and started speaking about the rights of women who were in the country illegally. Not as much applause there. We were all there b/c were we pro choice. We were not there b/c we think illegal aliens should have access to foodstamps. I'm sure some people at that protest DID believe that, but I felt like they were co-opting this particular protest.
So, my question is, could the objectors feel like you are trying to shoe-horn something in? Racial injustice does exist and is a problem, but it's not the only problem.
If your area is not very diverse, perhaps this person prefers a program that will help more people?
If an area is not diverse, there's often more need for such discussions to bring the 'real world' into their view. If nothing else, it may make them aware of how they can be accepting racism because they don't challenge racist comments when they're made in a general way rather than directed at a person they know.
And Ophelia - if you were all there because of the abortion issue, rather than the true War on Women, it should have been advertised as such. YOU were co-opting the protest, not the speakers.
I was not co-opting the protest. The protest was billed as a protest for reproductive freedom. It was not advertised as a protest for food stamps for illegal immigrants or other issues.
I was not co-opting the protest. The protest was billed as a protest for reproductive freedom. It was not advertised as a protest for food stamps for illegal immigrants or other issues.
I was going by your original comment naming it as a protest on the War on Women and your OPINION that it was meant to focus on reproductive rights.
