Racism

This week we turn to race and racism in our exploration of controversial social issues of our day. The United Methodist Social Principles Statement on the Rights of Racial and Ethnic Persons (paragraph 162.a)  includes the following, “Racism is the combination of the power to dominate by one race over other races and a value system that assumes that the dominant race is innately superior to the others. Racism includes both personal and institutional racism….We rejoice in the gifts that particular ethnic histories and cultures bring to our total life. We commend and encourage the self-awareness of all racial and ethnic groups and oppressed people that leads them to demand their just and equal rights as members of society. We assert the obligation of society and groups within the society to implement compensatory programs that redress long-standing, systemic social deprivation of racial and ethnic people.”