Taking Responsibility for Racism

Monday, June 7, 2021

A Message from CMM's Executive Director

Monday, June 7, 2021

Rev. Dr. Rodney L. Petersen

The years immediately prior to 9/11 were called the Age of Apology. We are now in an Age of Mistrust. What becomes mere rhetoric in the domain of apology and what makes for a rhetoric of apology that is linked to meaningful reconciliation? How do we address a past that is past? What makes racism so galling is that it was intentional enslavement of a population for purposes of empire.

Janna Thompson outlines four questions that might guide us in Taking Responsibility for the Past (2002). First, do we have an obligation to repair the harm that has arisen from the practice of slavery? Those who were shoved through the gates of the Cape Coast castles are no longer among us. The Irish Famine is over. The agony of Kosovo must be worked out. Bantu and Afrikaner must live together without preying upon one another. Palestinian and Israeli peoples are every bit as human as the other. Must we who are alive pay for the misdeeds of the dead? We honor legal contracts which predecessors have made, the dark side of which are reparations.

Second, what is owed? In the case of slavery, the history of Liberia reminds us that we cannot return to conditions ante enslavement. Whether it is the recovery of West Africa ante-fifteenth century, a Greater Serbia ante-thirteenth century, or a Native America before waves of European colonization, it cannot happen. So, the question becomes, what can victims claim considering historical injustice? There is contrition. There is apology. However, as the critics of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in South Africa argued, some people made it through with little accountability. How do we open the way for a future so as not to remain in a cycle of anger and resentment that only yields further retribution and violence? Restorative justice provides a set of principles and practices to enable discussion toward reparative acts.

Third, this discussion needs to be set in a wider context of obligations and entitlements faced by the living. Bad consequences can come from dwelling on the injustices of the past, particularly when they impact the present negatively. As in our personal lives, so in corporate life, dwelling on past resentments can yield acts of revenge that only fuel a continuing cycle of anger and violence. Justice must be concerned about the equitable distribution of goods not only in relation to the past, but primarily among existing people. The present cannot be held hostage to the past.

Fourth, how far back do we reach in seeking to right wrongs? Thinking only of the history of the West for the past two millennia: Does Christian and Jewish treatment of one another count in the second century? What about Constantinopolitan politics in the fifth and sixth centuries respecting populations in the Eastern Mediterranean basin? Christians and Muslims have had difficulties since the seventh century. How about the English and the Irish since the twelfth century? Do we consider Africans in the fifteenth century or Mennonites in the sixteenth century?

CMM celebrates faith communities and others who seek to live in the present in proleptic partnership with all in a beloved community that takes responsibility for racism. This is spearheaded in a “Third Reconstruction” by The Poor Peoples Campaign on Monday, June 7. It is supported in CMM Values over Violence workshops, scheduled for June and through the summer. Join us at CMM’s Annual Fundraiser on June 17, “From Trauma to Triumph,” as we celebrate in the spirit of Juneteenth. Volunteer to make a difference in one of our several housing renovation projects promoted by Clergy and Laity for Affordable Housing (CLAH). Help change an Age of Mistrust to an Age of Responsibility by acting as if the future were now. Attend the Facing Our Racism workshop on July 25 and “let it be so”!

A Message from the CMM Board of Directors

CMM Appoints Sophia Bishop-Rice as Interim Executive Director

On May 28th, CMM’s Board appointed Sophia Bishop-Rice as Interim Executive Director. A Board member since 2020, Sophia has been a key partner with CMM through the relationship she solidified in a long-term partnership with the Shriver Job Corps Center in Devens, Massachusetts. Sophia’s appointment will be effective starting July 1st, 2021.

CMM is looking for a new Executive Director following the resignation of Rev. Dr. Rodney Petersen for family reasons. Rev. Dr. Petersen held the office for seven years, leading to the creation of signature CMM programs, such as Values over Violence (VoV), Clergy and Laity for Affordable Housing (CLAH) and various Ruah activities and relationships. We are forever grateful and look forward to the adventures ahead!

Quotes from Board members expressing support for Sophia:

“Her energy and vision are inspiring. I believe she understands the importance of consensus building...” — Dr. Alice Kidder

CLAH has benefitted from Sophia's nonprofit experience, and she already has good working relationships with our team.” — Phil Jones

“I am confident that she will represent the best interests, values and direction of CMM in this interim capacity.” — Hubert Williams, Chair

Click here for details to apply to the Executive Director position

Job postings also on Indeed and LinkedIn

From Trauma to Triumph: CMM Annual Fundraiser

From Trauma to Triumph: CMM Annual Fundraiser

Thursday, June 17, 2021, 6 - 7:30pm EST

Online via Zoom

RSVP at cmmannual2021.eventbrite.com

Facebook event

Click here to download flyer

CMM is glad to present and virtually be with all of you at our 55th annual fundraiser. We hope you will join and interact with us in what should be a special, early evening time of learning and sharing together. Q&A to follow!

Keynote Speakers:

Thomas W. Porter, Jr., Boston University Lecturer & Co-Director, Program on Religion and Conflict Transformation, Retired (The Rev. Charles Harper Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient)

Rev. Kelly Fassett, Executive Director of UniteBoston

Rev. Dr. Walter Earl Fluker, Boston University Martin Luther King, Jr. Professor Emeritus of Ethical Leadership (The Rev. Charles Harper Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient)

Kim Janey, Mayor of Boston

Additional Awardees:

Shriver Job Corps Center, The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Young Leadership Award Recipient

Fr. Tom Ryan, The Ruah Spirit Award Recipient

At My Neighbor's Table Committee, Needham, The CMM Community/Congregational Social Action Award Recipient

Comments by Outgoing CMM Executive Director Rev. Dr. Rodney L. Petersen

Actions that Lead from Trauma to Triumph:

Safe Lives – Sophia Bishop-Rice – “Values over Violence”
Safe Places – Phillip Jones – “CLAH: Building Equity”
Shared Dreams – Aaron Spevack – “Land of the Free, Home of the Brave”

Pricing:

Individual Tickets:

$55 - General Admission Ticket
$100 - CMM Supporter Ticket

Sponsorship Opportunities*

$10,000 – Community Hero (25 tickets, full page ad space in program booklet, plus recognition on our website and enews for the next 12 months with logo)
$5,000 – Community Champion (15 tickets, full page ad space in program booklet, plus recognition on our website and enews for the next six months with logo)
$1,000 – Community Innovator (10 tickets, Name in program booklet with sponsorship level)
$500 – Partner (5 tickets, name in program booklet with sponsorship level)
$250 – Advocate (2 tickets, name in program booklet with sponsorship level)

*As a business, you will be receive mention in our electronic publications, including: CMM's bi-weekly enews, website, and social media.

Ads in Program Booklet**

$1,000 – Full page ad in program booklet
$500 – Half page ad in program booklet
$250 – Quarter page ad in program booklet
$100 – CMM Friends Listing – names listed in program booklet

**The advertising pricing is in addition to your ticket purchases.

Facing Our Racism Workshop

Facing Our Racism: Becoming Conscious Partners Workshop

Sunday, July 25, 2021, 12 - 4:30pm EST

Online Via Zoom

RSVP at racismjuly2021.eventbrite.com

Facebook Event

(Registration ends at 11am on the day of, and the Zoom link will be sent right after that.)

Suggested Donation: $45

The killing of Daunte Wright, George Floyd and Breonna Taylor galvanized White people to become “conscious partners” with our Black sisters and brothers to end racism. Crucial to this new understanding and awareness is the formation of genuine, open, truthful relationships between Black and White community members. You are invited to take part in a “Facing Our Racism: Becoming Conscious Partners” workshop which analyzes the systemic, institutional, policy, and power-driven persecution and discrimination against Black Americans since the very beginning of slavery. The anniversary of George Floyd's death reminds us that the work to combat racism is far from over.

Recommended Pre-Viewing:

Dr. Ibram X. Kendi: Creating A More Equitable Society Is In White Americans' Self Interest: https://youtu.be/dCUOX3NMd4U
Deconstructing White Privilege with Dr. Robin DiAngelo: https://youtu.be/DwIx3KQer54
How Racial Bias Works – and How to Disrupt It with Jennifer Eberhardt: https://www.ted.com/talks/jennifer_l_eberhardt_how_racial_bias_works_and_how_to_disrupt_it
A Blueprint for Reparations in the US | William "Sandy" Darity: https://youtu.be/hv88_R-XDDw

About the Facilitators

Dr. Connie Holmes, EdD, psychologist (ret.), counseled cancer patients and their families for 28 years in Boston and in the San Francisco Bay area. She is a member of the Diocesan Commission on Reparations of the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts and Clerk of the Vestry of Good Shepherd Church in Watertown, MA. She is available to conduct these workshops throughout the United States. Her great-grandfather perished in Theresienstadt, a World War II concentration camp. Her exposure to the horrors of the Final Solution has motivated her to join the struggle for racial justice in the United States.

Dolores Moorehead, MS, APCC is the Lead Navigator/ Multi-Cultural Client Support Clinician at the Women’s Cancer Resource Center in Berkeley with over 30 years of experience that includes the American Cancer Society. She has worked with diverse populations including LGBTQIA+, African Americans, Latinos, and Asian Pacific Islanders. She is committed to improving communication between doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals about the medical needs and access to care of diverse populations.

Testimonials

The Rev. Tyrone Fowlkes, Rector, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Raleigh, NC: “In an era of George Floyd, increased voter restrictions and racial disparities across vital areas of health, income and education, the time is now for us to wrestle with the ubiquitous and persistent racist policies and structures in our society. People of faith are not immune to such forces and have a significant role to play in this effort if ‘faithful witness’ has any meaning at all. Both Connie Holmes and Dolores Moorehead not only help us confront the damaging and lasting impact of systemic racism in both church and society but also why it matters. The bottom-line stares at us with an unsettling gaze: our failure to untangle the racist threads which have long woven patterns of dehumanizing pain and disenfranchisement, will eventually strangle us all."

Jean Kilbourne, Senior Scholar, Wellesley Centers for Women: "Dr. Connie Holmes has been passionately engaged for more than 50 years in the struggle for civil rights and the work of making authentic partnerships between Black and White Americans possible. Her energy, imagination, and eloquent leadership bring new life to the essential conversations we must have in order to make the progress we all so urgently need.

Rev. Dr. David Killian: "Connie Holmes and Dolores Moorehead are superb facilitators to help us to 'face our racism' and dismantle embedded structures of racial inequality and oppression. Their work is transformative and life-changing for the participants and vitally needed in our society today."

Dolores Moorehead, MS: "Dr. Connie Holmes and I worked together at the Women’s Cancer Resource Center in Oakland for four years. She has been able to use her family's experiences to discuss how more alike we are as humans than different. Taking her commitment over the years to the civil rights movement, Dr. Holmes creates an environment for Black and White individuals to talk about the topic of racial discrimination. She facilitates a conversation that allows participants to address their pain and shame so as to begin the healing process."

Rev. Dr. Rodney Petersen: “Facing our Racism” (FOR) presents a challenging workshop. Just when we thought we were beyond all that, Connie and Dolores take one down to deeper levels of engagement with racism and anti-racism."

Brenda Vaccaro, Psy.D.: "As a psychologist and mental health innovator, Dr. Holmes has forged and promoted therapeutic environments that prioritize social justice and heighten multicultural awareness. A tireless advocate for equitable access to support, she has been a pioneer in acknowledging and addressing issues of oppression, privilege, and power. Her work reflects a deep commitment to redefining mental health services in a way that is more attuned and responsive to the race-based traumatic stress that burdens communities of color. Her approach empowers people to heal and to reclaim the path toward their best possible lives."