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MISSOURI: Diocese opposes so-called Civil Rights initiative
[Episcopal News Service] Missouri Episcopalians are joining with a broad coalition of faith-based, educational, community and economic development organizations to oppose the so-called Missouri Civil Rights Initiative (MoCRI).Those who oppose the measure, including the Diocese of Missouri by overwhelming action of its annual convention in November 2007, say the initiative would effectively eliminate affirmative action in the state. Three Episcopalians spoke at a rally on February 13, the Feast of Absalom Jones, launching a state-wide opposition effort.
The constitutional amendment proposed by MoCRI would "tie the hands of those trying to build more dynamic and diverse classrooms, congregations, workplaces and communities," said the Rev. Emery Washington, chair of the diocese's Commission on Dismantling Racism which sponsored the convention resolution.
MoCRI is an effort of the American Civil Rights Coalition, a group led by California businessman Ward Connerly, which is proposing similar measures in four other states this year. The group has already succeeded in eliminating affirmative action in California, Washington and Michigan.
"The assumption of Mr. Connerly and his associates is that the quest for racial equality in America is completed," said Washington. "We know that to be false."
Also speaking at the rally was the Rev. Teresa Mithen, rector of St. John's Episcopal Church, St. Louis and religious co-chair of St. Louis Area Jobs with Justice, one of the many groups opposing MoCRI.
"We want to be sure not only Missouri voters, but those around the country facing this deception, know what this anti-civil rights initiative is all about," said Mithen. "We are called as Jesus disciples to work for an equitable and just society and church," she said.
Supporters of MoCRI are currently conducting a petition drive to get the measure on the November ballot. That effort is being countered by WE-CAN (Working to Empower Community Action Now), which is the coalition of faith groups and community organizations with which the Diocese of Missouri has joined. The rally on February 13 was the official launch of the group's "Decline to Sign" campaign. It is estimated that 150,000 to 180,000 signatures would be needed to get the measure on the ballot.
"The idea is to prevent 'Connerly's hired guns' from coming up with enough signatures in this petition drive, which ends May 2," said Washington.
In his remarks to the rally, Missouri Bishop George Wayne Smith described a vision of "God's new world" from the Book of Revelation "at which are present a new people, priestly and royal, called from every family, language, people and nation." He said that the church is called to live under the "authority" of that vision.
"Sometimes the Episcopal Church I call home, and the church I serve as bishop, manages to live under that authority, but often it falls short," said Smith. "It hardly looks like that heavenly country made up of every family, language, people and nation."
"So my church has to work at it, and name those things which work to keep us apart and tear down the structures of racism, which are mostly invisible to white folk," he told the rally.
"I want you to know that I am not letting the church off the hook on a matter this important. Nor am I letting Missouri off the hook," said Smith. "This so-called civil rights initiative is bad for Missouri because it does not tell the truth and because we have not yet learned to judge others by the quality of their character alone."
"One day, long after I have gone, someone will stand before Missourians and before their God and declare that the work of equal opportunity and equal justice has been completed; that this is a level playing field; and that the kingdom of God has come near to us," said Washington.
"But today is not that day. Tell Mr. Connerly and his associates that this is not the state and not the time. Stand against the Missouri Civil Rights Initiative."