Racism violates God’s purpose for humanity and is contrary to the gospel of Jesus. Incidents of racially charged violence across the country – from Ferguson to Charleston and many other places in between – have once again brought to light underlying racial tensions that exist in American society.
During the month of October, Second Presbyterian church will have A Conversation About Race. All Sunday School classes and members and friends are invited to participate. Special guest speakers will include:
- October 4 – Dr. Joel Anderson, UALR Chancellor, will talk about why and how race matters. He will share learnings from the Racial Attitude Surveys conducted by the UALR Institute on Race and Ethnicity.
- October 11 – Author Grif Stockley and UALR professor Dr. LaVerne Bell-Tolliver will offer historical perspectives on race in Little Rock.
- October 18 – State Senator Joyce Elliot, Judge Joyce Warren (Circuit Court, Juvenile Division), and Dr. Joseph Jones, Professor of Political Science at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff will lead a conversation about what it’s like to be black in Little Rock.
- October 25 – Ruth Shepherd, Executive Director of Just Communities of Arkansas, will lead a conversation about what it’s like to be white in Little Rock, and will offer guidance on positive steps we can take toward racial reconciliation.
This class is sponsored by the Social Justice Advocacy Committee of Second Presbyterian Church. Steve Hancock will serve as class facilitator.