Charleston Assembly 

 

CommissionRace Relations

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Our banner:
Psalm 133: How good and pleasant it is when the brothers dwell together in unity.

 

Our mission:
To identify areas where God’s word and His family can assist the community in bringing unity to the race relation issue. Our mission is to join with organizations at every level—state, county, city, and community—to encourage, strengthen, and establish that proper foundation so it will stand against the forces that would attempt to assail the reconciliation process.

 

A More Excellent Way

The Charleston Assembly seeks to bring about a MOVEMENT in Charleston and the Tri-county area that would be the envy of the nation. We want to develop collaborative, transparent, functional, and harmonious relationships that will exist among the churches, politicians, and the business community that reflects God’s kingdom.

 

Our Vision:
Men and women standing on the high ground bringing God’s message to the people. The Charleston Assembly Commission on Race Relations sees itself as a Nathan admonishing the community; we are Timothy bringing God’s word for reproof, exhortation, and correction; we are Barnabas encouraging and strengthening the weak.

For true relationships to develop, there must be a foundation of truth—God’s truth—on which we stand.

 

The obstacles:

1. Emphasis on our differences and de-emphasis on our commonalities.

2. Focus on skin color and almost never on behavior.

3. The goalposts keep moving. There is no fixed foundation from which we can work. The scaffolding must be secure and stable. This will require communication to understand why we keep changing the rules (i.e., Brown, Black, African-American).

4. Being easily offended is a human trait and must be addressed.

 

What we offer:

We bring the power of the Christian gospel to assist in breaking down strongholds and strawmen that have set themselves up in our communities. The concepts of Love, Mercy, Forgiveness, Grace, Justice, and Reconciliation are the major themes of our faith. We recognize these qualities are not owned by the Christian or the Jew, but they are given added power, and the power to impact the human condition, when they are exemplified by the supreme authority of our faith. We believe the principles embodied in the Judeo-Christian faith bring a unique and powerful perspective to race reconciliation dialogue.

 

We fully believe that at the root of the racial divisions among us, there are spiritual battles that must be fought. We are armed and ready to engage on that front. Our weapons are not carnal, but they are powerful.

 

Our voice will be unique: Humble, but powerful; Direct and honest, but compassionate; Truthful, but loving.

 

Our voice will give dignity and respect to all at the table, especially those who do not share our vision.

 

Our voice is not political and does not seek a title or position. This Kingdom is not our home and it is not our purpose to own it.

 

We stand ready to offer counsel, advice, support, and encouragement.

 

We will labor until He calls us home to be with Him.

 

What will our participation look like?

Our demeanor and behavior will speak as loudly as anything we may say. As dialogue proceeds to an angry place, we will attempt to steer it in more peaceful directions. When solutions are based on revenge or bitterness, we will remind all that forgiveness is a more excellent way.

 

Reminders for us:

Vengeance is mine, says the LORD; Love one another; Turn the other cheek; Communicate with your enemy; Forgive one another; Seek to answer, "Who is my neighbor?"; Do not ascribe motive unless you are sure; Be quick to listen and slow to anger; Allow for honest and open disagreement (Matt 18).

 

Remind believers of God’s authority. This single point should bring many in South Carolina together because we are still made up of primarily Christians. We believe South Carolina, and more specifically the greater Charleston area, is still predominantly Christian. If this is true, we should be able to unite under this common banner of love, forgiveness, and reconciliation to accomplish great and mighty things heretofore unseen in this community. We can be a light for the nations and a city on a hill.

 

Why?

We are commanded by Scripture to engage the culture:
Jesus said, “Go therefore into all nations, teaching them all that I have commanded you.”
Our message has the power to save men (Romans 1:16).
Bringing the message of the gospel is the role of the disciple of Christ and the body of Christ known as “the church.”
Bringing the light of His message to the community by the way we act, the way we speak, and the way we think is our mission. Speak the truth in love.

 

Addressing The Issues

In the beginning, God created. On the sixth day, He created Man/Woman. In His own image, He created them.

Scripture does not say He created black, white, Latino, Aleut, Indian, Asian, etc. He did say male and female, He created them.

We want to properly frame the race issue:

• All men are created equal in the eyes of God.

• We are all one race; different skin colors, but one race in Adam. Confirmed by science (DNA).

• In God’s eyes, skin color does not grant an individual special privilege or curse. However, our behavior does have consequences.

• We are created in His image.

• We are created for His glory.

• We are created for His purpose.

• It is God’s will that men reconcile themselves to Himself and each other (by the power of His love).

 

Due to sin, men have separated themselves from God and each other. This has resulted in division, jealousy, bitterness, anger, and strife among peoples around the world and in our community. This is a demonstrated history. Through love—supernatural love, unconditional love, powerful love—God’s love, men can be reconciled with each other.

We find that Guilt, Shame, Force, and Revenge are poor motivators for change. If any change is achieved, it will be short-lived and weak. (God loves a cheerful giver.) There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ.

 

Conclusion:
If you took a person from one ethnic group and raised him within the culture of another (i.e., Whites, Blacks, Asians, or Hispanics), he would generally do what is most dominant within those cultures. Even when it comes to human biology, a person’s color and features generally take on that ethnic group after three or four generations of continuous breeding. The primary reason why the topic of race and racism is so divisive in our culture is because it cannot be logically defined. Physical features and skin color seem to be the traditional definition of race; and yet, neither component has absolutely anything to do with the character or worth of the person. After taking a DNA test, almost anyone can make their own choice as to what race they want to identify with based on our definition of race. Some mixture of African, Asian, Hispanic, Indian, and White American blood can probably be found in most of us. That is why rational individuals must denounce the topic of race as it has been defined in our culture, or we will never get beyond it; the lie must die.

 

 

Think Tank

 

100+GREAT Discussion Starters on the topics of Race, Racism and Race Relations in America and around the world

 

Our VISION: The Charleston Assembly seeks to bring about a MOVEMENT in Charleston and the Tri-County area that the nation would want to emulate. We want to develop collaborative, transparent, functional and harmonious, relationships that will exist among the races, churches, politicians and the business communities that reflects God’s kingdom.

 

WIKI-Definition of Race, Ethnicity and Racism:

 

A) Race is a classification system used to categorize humans into large and distinct populations or groups by anatomical, cultural, ethnic,           genetic, geographical, historical, linguistic, religious, and/or social affiliation. “Race is not based on biology, but race is rather an idea that     we ascribe to biology.” Alan Goodman, biological anthropologist.

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B) Ethnicity or ethnic group is a social group of people who identify with each other based on common ancestral, cultural, social, or                   national experience.

 

C) Racism: Intentional and/or obvious harmful attitudes or behaviors towards another individual or group because of the color of his/her         skin.

 

“CAN YOU HANDLE THE TRUTH”? To borrow a line from one of Americas well loved movie-A Few Good Men: Tom Cruise as Lieutenant Daniel Kaffee deposes Jack Nicholson, the infamous Colonel Nathan Jessup. “I WANT THE TRUTH” Tom says-Jack replied, “YOU CANT HANDLE THE TRUTH”?

 

Should an individual become angry, frustrated and annoyed during one of these sessions, chances are there are deeper unresolved issues that need to be addressed. “An opinion in the absence of evidence is called prejudice.” Some people really don’t know that they have racist and or prejudice views or tendencies. Given the history of America’s culture on the issue of race, it is almost IMPOSSIBLE not to be negatively affected by it. Your best answer to any of the discussion starter questions is what you really believe in your heart about the topics. If anyone disagrees with you, their disagreement should be expressed with the utmost respect for your opinion on the subject and as a fellow human being. (It’s called—being Christ like.)

 

Our staff would readily meet privately with anyone who needs help in understanding the complexities on the topics of race and racism. We believe that there is only one true and lasting solution to racism and that solution is the gospel of Jesus Christ. We will only solve the problem of racism in America and around the world when enough people from all cultural and ethnic diversities stop allowing ignorant, racists and bigoted people define the discussion. “He who pose the question defines fhe argument.” There has to be a deliberate diffusion of hearts among people who subscribe to the highest moral and spiritual law in the universe, “Love your neighnor as yourself.” When the gospel is interpreted correctly, there will be absolutely no bearing on a person’s color or physical features. Joseph was sold into slavery by his jealous brothers; but within 13 years he became the Prime Minister of Egypt without a race or civil war that caused nearly a million fatalities.The Jews of the bible had their fair share of cultural issues when it came to Gentile nations and among themselves; but skin color was not one of them. When God made His covenant with Abraham, he was justified by his FAITH and not his flesh. The message of the cross is a message of grace and faith, and it is to whosoever will. Humans are spirit beings that live in a physical body. There is no salvation for human flesh, flesh and blood will not inherit the kingdom of God. (1 Corinthians 15:50)

 

The Following List Is Scientific Facts on the Topic of Race Feel Free To Do Your Own Research

 

“Those who will not reason, are bigots, those who cannot, are fools, and those who dare not, are slaves.” ― George Gordon Byron (22 January 1788 – 19 April 1824)

 

• Race is a modern idea. Ancient societies, like the Greeks and Romans did not divide people according to physical differences, but according to religion, status, class or even language. The English word "race" turns up for the first time in a 1508 poem by William Dunbar referring to a line of kings. Before the American experience, the term race was simply defined as a group of people in a specific region sharing the same culture.

 

• Race has no genetic basis. Not one characteristic, trait or even gene distinguishes all the members of one so-called race from all the members of another so-called race.

 

• Human subspecies don’t exist. Unlike many animals, modern humans simply haven’t been around long enough, nor have populations been isolated enough, to evolve into separate subspecies or races. On average, only one of every thousand of the nucleotides that make up our DNA differ one human from another. We are one of the most genetically similar of all species.

 

• Skin color really is only skin deep. The genes for skin color have nothing to do with genes for hair form & texture, eye shape, blood type, musical talent, athletic ability or forms of intelligence. Knowing someone’s skin color doesn’t necessarily tell you anything else about them.

 

Pressing Towards the Mark for the Prize of the High Calling

 

The annals of American history will prove that race relations in has gotten much better since the death of Dr. Martin Luther King and John F. Kennedy fifty years ago; but we would simply be lying to ourselves if we say we have arrived. High profile court cases like OJ Simpson trial for the murder of his ex wife Nicole Brown Simpson, George Zimmerman for the murder of Trayvon Martin and numerous others that don't make national headlines still remind us that this subject is anything but resolved. As long as cases like these can drive the media and local communities to a feeding frenzy on the topic—we have work to do.

 

The world had hopes that the election of the first African American president would have placed us in a post racial society by the end of his first term in office. However, and for whatever, the one thousand reasons may be; it seems as if the tenor in our nation on race relations has been set back a notch during his presidency.

 

An NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll released soon after the George Zimmerman verdict showed that while a majority of Americans feel that their fellow citizens are judged by their character, black Americans felt strongly that race was a decisive factor. 54% of those polled felt character was primary, while 45% felt race was primary. But among black Americans, 79% felt race was the deciding issue.

 

So, we cannot rest here. We came out of Egypt, finished forty years of wandering in the wilderness and have crossed over into the Promised Land. But, there are Giants left to be slain and many other enemies that threaten the moral and spiritual fabric of our nation. Like Israel of old who was not allowed to rest when they entered into the Promised Land until the evil forces was eradicated; God is not going to give us rest until we understand that the problem of race relations in America is not skin, but sin.The topic of race and racism is a lucrative business for many in the media because it keeps the controversy stirred-up, and we know that the media thrives on the debate. The same is true in politics, because some politicians and civic activists exploit the topic of race and gender to maintain their power base. Let’s not allow the media, politicians, stereotypes, fear, ignorance, or prejudicial acts define us. We are fearfully and wonderfully made in the image of our Creator and Heavenly Father.

 

100+GREAT Discussion Starter Questions

 

The C.A. Think-Tank questions on Race, Racism and Race Relations in America and around the world. Some questions are “open-ended” An open-ended question is designed to encourage a full, meaningful answer using the subject's own knowledge and/or feelings. All questions can be asked in random order.

 

*A general consensus should be taken on each question in order to evaluate the outcome of the conference. A time limit should also be considered on each question in order to maximize the outcome of the session. (Document by recording or in writing what the majority of the participants agree is the best answer on each issue? We will continue to use our findings from each session as a teaching tool to inform the masses.)

 

1. Do you think America have a problem when it comes to race and racism? (elaborate in detail)

 

2. When it comes to race relations, would you say that you are a part of the solution, a part of the problem or neither?

 

3. If you are neutral, (not sure that’s possible in America given its history on race); will you be willing to engage the issue for the good of the     community you live in and humanity as a whole?

 

4. Are you afraid to even talk about racism for the FEAR of what others may think of your views on the issue?

 

5. If the authority were in your hands how would solve the problem of racism everywhere?

 

6. A) What would happen if we respectfully discussed our thoughts on and questions about different ethnic groups in a multiethnic setting?     B) What would you ask? C) What would you say?

 

7. Who decides and what are the terms in which an individual is assigned to a particular race?

 

8. A) What is the cause of racism?

 

9. Is there such a thing as “white guilt”? Explain your answer.

 

10. Is there such a thing as reverse racism?

 

11. A) How many races do we have in the world? (list them)

 

12. Have the terms Race, Ethnicity & Nationality become so convoluted until we really don’t know what they mean?

 

13. Why is race by skin color practiced primarily in America when people in India, China, Japan and South America and most other nations         do not have these terms based on skin color?

 

14. Has the term race, and racism as it has been defined in America have been proven to be the Lie of the past 5 centuries and Satanic,               given its horrific, evil, sinister and wicked consequences?

 

15. Is race in humanity the same as the different species in the animal kingdom, or is it just one human race?

 

16. Can individuals have the same skin color and be of different races?

 

17. Does a person’s skin color and or physical features have any bearing on their character, personality or as a human being?

 

18. Should blacks as a whole forgive whites as a whole for slavery instituted by America’s founding fathers?

 

19. Do blacks have anything to lose by holding on to un-forgiveness due to slavery and racism?

 

20. A) Is something wrong with these terms: “Black Church”—“White Church”—“Hispanic Church” etc.? B) Shouldn’t Christian from all                     ethnicities have a working relationship that supersedes race?

 

21. Is there something inherently sinister and evil in categorizing people based on skin color and physical features?

 

22. Does any one ethnic group as a whole has the moral authority to police the world on the topic of race?

 

23. If everyone in the world had the same skin color and features would the world be a better place as a result of it?

 

24. A) Theological, philosophical, ideological and cultural differences is really the problem of race, color is simply a distraction. B) Do you                           agree or disagree with this statement?

 

25. Discuss the "one-drop rule,'' meaning that a single drop of "black blood" makes a person black.

 

26. A) If a person has a so-called black father and a so-called white mother, what so-called race do they belong to? B) And, by whose                     authority is the decision final? C) Could the individual opt out of either so-called race and consider themselves to be of another so-called       race?

 

27. A) If a person migrates to the United States and don’t consider themselves to be black of white, are they automatically assigned to a               race? B) If no, which race must they choose?

 

28. If you consider yourself to be bi-racial and have experienced racism as a result of it; explain your experience.

 

29. Do you have any close friends that are not of your race?

 

30. Do most whites and racist whites in particular, believe they are superior to all other races and ethnicities?

 

31. Has the Obama presidency helped or hurt race relations in America?

 

32. Has Obama personal input on race help of hurt race relations?

 

33. Has the Obama presidency caused many white business owners to limit black employment or disparage black workers?

 

34. On a scale from 1-10, with ten being the worse, rate racism in America. Circle one-1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

 

35. Is there a time when people of the same color should stand together?

 

36. Is there still a need for Affirmative Action, the NAACP and other activist groups on racial equality?

 

37. Do you think that media pundits and politicians exploit the topic of race?

 

38. What are covert and overt racist and prejudicial behaviors?

 

39. A) Does racism exist in the churches of America? Explain your answer. B) Will racists go to heaven?

 

40. A) Is racism practiced in the bible based on color? B) Can a true racist be converted?

 

41. A) Is slavery practiced in the bible? B) If yes, explain how it’s different from the European inhumane form of slavery that was upheld in           English colonies. (Use Joseph’s story in the book of Genesis as teachable moment.)

 

42. Have you ever experienced racism and have you been hurt by racism?

 

43. If you are in a bi-racial relationship, or if you know anyone that is and have experienced racism as a result of the relationship, discuss           the experience.

 

44. A) Should we get rid of racial categories on all forms of applications? B) Why might racial classifications still be useful? C) If we stop                 tracking racial information, how will we tell if disparities still exist?

 

45. A) Do black people in any way still suffer from the emotional trauma of slavery? If yes, how? B) Does the trauma have anything to do with       the moral decay that exists in many of the back communities across America?

 

46. Can racism be based on other issues besides skin color?

 

47. Is being racist the same as being wicked?

 

48. Shouldn’t whites have better privileges because they represent a majority in America?

 

49. What country would you say is the most racist on earth?

 

50. Name some ways to stop racism?

 

51. Although blacks own less than 1% of America’s wealth, do some whites think that blacks have too much?

 

52. Should there be any type of reparation for slavery?

 

53. Are blacks looking to get even with whites for slavery?

 

54. Does racism have anything to do with why African Americans attend white churches at a high rate, but the same does not hold true for         white Americans attending black churches?

 

55. How much of our segregation in America, particularly in churches has to do with culture and worship style as opposed to racism in               itself?

 

56. Do you think that racism will ever go away?

 

57. Do you, or have you ever had a racist thought?

 

58. Blacks primarily suffered the brunt of slavery, but do other minorities in America suffer from racism as well?

 

59. Is it possible for whites as a whole to understand the plight of black people and others who suffered racism?

 

60. What do you do when you see racism?

 

61. What would be the best punishment for those guilty of racism?

 

62. What city and state is the most racist in America?

 

63. Name three feelings that come up when you hear the word racism?

 

64. Does racism exist against other races in predominant homogeneous countries like Africa, China and India?

 

65. Isn't it a spiritual and moral insult as well as demeaning when the Civil Rights struggle is equated with homosexuals rights. (i.e.                     Homosexuality is sexual perversion and promiscuity, but being black is God’s natural creative expression in the human family. Why the         comparison when the topics are apples and oranges?)

 

66. Since racism, poverty and crime seem to have a common thread, do predominately black communities with epidemic crime and poverty       have any responsibilities to work together in order to better their communities? If so, how can this be done?

 

67. Is black life devalued when there is no out-cry by blacks about the high murder rates in many black communities?

 

68. What race of people is discriminated against the most in America?

 

69. Would it matter if your child marries out of their race?

 

70. Would it matter if your child marries a racist?

 

71. Is there anyone that you consider your friend even though you know they are a racist?

 

72. You are in a restaurant and the owner throws someone out for being white. What do you do?

 

73. You are in a restaurant and the owner throws someone out for being black. What do you do?

 

74. A) Do you identify with members of another race more than your own? B) Or, do you dislike your race?

 

75. A) How can you share your views about the N word? B) Have you been called the N word?

 

76. Are there advantages or disadvantages in using the N word?

 

77. Should blacks use the N word toward each other?

 

78. A) Is it okay for blacks to call a white person a cracker or honky?

 

79. Do whites have (white skin privilege)?

 

80. Have you heard about or have experienced firsthand a church that did not let black people join or hold an elective office? Are there               racial disparities in America’s criminal justice system?

 

81. Do you think that some white churches restrict blacks when it comes to key positions, or vise versa?

 

82. Is there a fear among whites that blacks would retaliate if given too much power in America?

 

83. Does the rate of crime committed by young black men warrant the suspicion that some whites have of them?

 

84. Are there sentencing disparities by the courts against young black men?

 

85. A) Have you ever been called the N word by your teacher/supervisor/etc? B) What was that experience like?

 

86. A) What is the definition of a “token Negro”? B) Is this a deliberate act on the part of whites, and does a black person know when he or           she is being used as one?

 

87. Is racism and racial supremacy the same thing?

 

88. What type of racist experience have you had in your life?

 

89. Have you ever committed a racist act?

 

90. Who is the most racist person you know?

 

91. Do you think racism feels differently to someone other than your race or ethnicity?

 

92. What adjective would you use to describe the evil act of racism?

 

93. Why would anyone want to be a racist?

 

94. A) How do you explain racism to a child? B) Do you agree that “racism is taught,” i.e. a learned behavior? C) Did you learn racist behavior         and prejudice from parents and or other family members?

 

95. Do you think that there are some films that promote racial stereotypes?

 

96. Can you think of any films that deal with racism, i.e. “Guess Who is Coming to Dinner”

 

97. What are the racial stereotypes we hold in our heads; i.e. things we think but don’t say?

 

98. Have you ever been belittled because of the color of your skin?

 

99. Do black people sometimes discriminate among themselves based on skin color? (e.g., light-skinned compared to dark-skinned.)

 

100. Is there anyone who hasn’t experienced racism?

 

101. What kind of place would the world be if there was no racism?

 

102. Is racism getting worse or disappearing in your country?

 

103. Do we act on racist thoughts/beliefs? Explain your answer.

 

104. Supreme Court Justice Henry Blackmun said, “To get beyond racism we must first take account of race. There is no other way.” Do you           agree or disagree?

 

105. Since the Republican Party championed the Civil Rights Movement after the Civil War, what went wrong that drove blacks to the                     Democrat Party?

 

“I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality... I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word.”-Dr M.L.K.

 

If you desire to host a session on Race Relations, share your questions and thoughts or become a part of a team in the Charleston Tri-County area that is working to properly address the topic of RACE, please send us an email to: thecec2012@gmail.com - www.thecec2012.org

 

“I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality... I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word.” ―Martin Luther King, Jr