Local News
Anti-Racism Team presents seminar in Greenville
GREENVILLE — Has the way America deals with racism improved since the days of the Civil Rights movement in the 1960s, or have peoples’ attitudes toward racism just been altered?
That was one of many questions addressed by a crowd comprised of local government leaders, religious officials and ordinary citizens during Thursday’s “Dismantling Racism” program.
The Corporation for Cultural Diversity co-sponsored the appearance by the Anti-Racism Team of the North Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church. And, while the seminar at Wesley United Methodist Church confronted many of the aspects of racism — including how it was perceived 40 years ago and how it is perceived today — those who attended the meeting learned the answers are not nearly so easy.
The Anti-Racism Team is comprised of laity and clergy from across the North Texas area, who seek to help elected and appointed leaders, as well as lay people and clergy, develop a deeper understanding of racism and how to claim an anti-racist identity.
The discussion was led by Rev. James Minor of Dallas and Rev. Michael Rowe of Wichita Falls, with the audience being asked to compare whether the racism which exists today is better or worse than the racism which existed in the 1960s. The responses ranged from how today, people of color can not only freely run for an hold public office, but can become legitimate contenders for the office of the President of the United States. Currently, minorities have opportunities for a wider range of employment and education, among other benefits, while 40 years ago a meeting such as the one held Thursday might not have even been possible.
“I think there is a heightened level of sensitivity that didn’t exist at that time,” noted Greenville Mayor Tom Oliver.
On the other hand, some aspects of racism in the present day are worse than they were in the past, according to some members of the audience. The current attitude toward Hispanics — and the calls for deportation — is far worse than before, some said, while City Council member Fred Thomas and others believed while conditions for minorities may have improved somewhat, those same conditions had resulted in a loss of economic independence for minority-owned businesses, a fracturing of the traditionally close minority family unit and a sense of complacency.
Many of the comments of the audience were echoed in a video presentation which surveyed a panel of experts, who raised the same concerns.
In some cases, Minor said, racism isn’t as evident as it has been in the past, but that doesn’t mean it has gone away.
“It has gone underground,” Minor said. “It is more subtle.”
Organizers of the event asked members of the audience to make personal commitments to continue the fight against racism and support the Corporation for Cultural Diversity.
Those wanting more information about the program can call 903-454-6688.
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