With the upcoming World Conference Against Racism in Durban, South Africa, close at hand, the United States government still has not agreed to send a high-level delegation to the conference. And, members of the one-million member United Methodist Women are asking why. In an effort to gain governmental commitment, they have been advocating for such action, saying that participation in the dialogue about racism would open the doors for concrete action.
"The bottom line is that people are still hurting because of racism. They are brutalized, demeaned and dehumanized every day in this country, and it stems from the legacy of slavery," says Lois M. Dauway, assistant general secretary of the Division’s section on Christian Social Responsibility.
The conference against racism will look at what can be done to address the inequities and oppression caused by years of slavery, slave trade and colonialism, in which three-fourths of the world’s population was exploited for profits. This is the third world conference against racism but the first one to which the United States has been invited.
This conference is just one piece of the Division’s quest to eliminate racism. The Division has rallied those marginalized by racism so that they may have a voice at the upcoming conference by sponsoring briefings for African non-governmental organizations throughout this year.
The Division also produced a major public service announcement in Africa to urge participation and dialogue, and funded various organizations who need to have a voice. Otherwise, these organizations would not be able to attend the conference because of financial restraints.
The factors that keep people from attending and voices from being heard is part of racism, says Ms. Dauway.
"The reality is that we can’t re-write history. We also can’t move forward to combat racism until we acknowledge the past," she says.
"That is what this conference is about. However, there are fears out there that with acknowledgment of sins comes reparations and a fiscal responsibility. So people are resistant to dialogue about the issue," says Ms. Dauway.
Dr. Ife Williams, executive secretary for racial justice with the Women’s Division, says that racism is present every where in the world. The hosting country-- also known as "the "rainbow nation"-- is another example of how racism is alive and present in the world, even though it has been officially outlawed.
"The results of racism can be seen in the country hosting this event, where 70% are unemployed and multinational interests are recognized above people of color," says Dr. Williams.
Though the Civil Rights movement in the United States and the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa created laws to eradicate formalized racism, serious work still needs to be done to combat the problem.
"There needs to be an international apology for past atrocities and a world-wide commitment to address inequities around land, environment, infrastructure, healthcare, and the criminal justice system, which have been caused by racism," says Dr. Williams.
And this country is not immune to racism and taking responsibility for it, she says. That is why the United States needs to send a high-level delegation and make an effort to participate in the dialogue with open minds.
As for the global delegation of United Methodists attending, they know that governments can make laws and write language about what they will do, but it will take a lot of hard work from the governments to make commitments. And, that will require that the governments listen to those who have not been heard before because of racism.
"My biggest hope is that this conference will build bridges among non-governmental organizations, allow them to begin the dialogue, and bring to the forefront their various issues of racism, because so often we have oppressed them," says Ms. Dauway.
The Women’s Division represents United Methodist Women, a one-million member organization whose purpose is to foster spiritual growth, develop leaders and advocate for justice. Members raise more than $20 million a year for programs and projects related to women, children and youth in the United States and in more than 100 countries around the world.
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