PagelZA - THK (JHARLOTTE POST - Thursday, June 24,1993
Bishops Urge Activism
In Local Churches
Coatinued From llA
dates of the support we give."
The fight against racism is
a global struggle, said Bishop
Marshall Strickland, presid
ing prelate of the 11th Epis
copal District, which in
cludes Liberia, Ghana and
Corte D'Ivoire. "There is
little doubt that the transi
tion to a highly technical so
ciety has made us socially
conscious on a global basis.
What affects us in one conti
nent affects us all."
The AME Zion Church,
said Speaks, is on all conti
nents except Australia.
Problems for American
blacks mlrrpr problems for
blacks elsewhere. 'The trau
ma for the cities is part of the
trauma in Africa. There is a
psychosis affecting us and we
are affected when our own
self-worth is challenged. We
need an appreciation for our
history. The destiny of
blacks in Charlotte is ifect-
ed by what happens to a
black African child in Libe
ria," Strickland said.
Strickland suggested that
problems for the black com
munity are designed and
created to destroy. "It is no
accident that drugs are pour
ing into the urban centers.
Blacks don't own the planes
and boats to get the drugs
here. In many African coun
tries, there is a black leader
ship, but no economic pow
er."
The solution, Strickland
said, will take a worldwide
effort. "We must begin to de
velop global strategies for
the survival of black people.
Our holocaust is Just as real
as the holocaust of others.
Socially, we must be con
nected globally. Economical
ly, we must be empowered
globally. And religiously, we
must be affirmed globally."
On the local level, blacks
must begin to become recom
mitted, Strickland said. "The
suburban flight by blacks
draws leadership from the
inner city. The individuals
who could help with social
problems are not there."
That global effort - which
has its roots in thp Pan Afri
can movement - has already
begun. Speaks pointed out. A
black summit was held in
Gabon, Africa., "Black
churches and other black
leaders were there talking
about total life. Another
summit is planned in Ghana.
The AME Zion Church has
been in the forefront of lead
ership for an international
effort to fight our problems,"
Speaks said.
"The church Itself must
have programs in the com
munities," Speaks said. "It
has a responsibility to put
something back. We must
emphasize morals. We have
to admit that much of the vi
olence and corruption is due
to the collapse of our moral
standards. We have to help
restore moral salvation and
make our own religion rele
vant to the black communi
ty," Speaks said.
The church is in danger of
losing its relevancy. Speaks
suggested. "At one time, with
our lives so circumscribed,
the church had to meet many
needs. But the needs today
are not the same as they were
50 years ago. We have to find
ways of meeting the present
needs," he said.
As many as 750 people at
tended the week-long confer
ence held at Little Rock AME
Zion Church last week.
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