Time for America to Face Racism

* To burn a building is to commit the crime of arson. To burn a church is to desecrate the promise of the 1st Amendment. And to burn African American churches is to give proof to the allegation that our country continues, even in 1996, to suffer from persistent and insidious racism.

The National Conference, founded in 1927 as the National Conference of Christians and Jews, deplores the burnings of these churches, extends its hand to the communities of congregations who have lost their spiritual and often communal homes, and urges the government to make good on its promise to bring the perpetrators to justice.

But legal remedies are not enough. It is time for people of good will to speak out and take action. It is time for America to confront its demons and for people in all communities to face racism and the impact that such underlying beliefs have on all of us. It is time for us to realize that we are doing something wrong and to make it right.

Our recently concluded House of Worship Tour [in Orange County] brought together people of different faiths, races and cultures in a triumphant celebration of spirit, diversity and fellowship. We know it can be done.

We can face America’s racism, if we commit, person by person, community by community, to engage each other in the honest and difficult conversations that are needed to reach understanding and respect among all. The National Conference stands ready, through its national office and its 62 regional offices across America, to facilitate in this process. We call on all Americans to help us eradicate the racism that permits the arson and perpetuates the hatred.

WILLIAM A. SHANE

Managing Director

The National Conference

Orange County Chapter

Costa Mesa