To say that Black lives matter is not to say that other lives do not; indeed, it is quite the reverse. It is to recognize that all lives do matter, and to acknowledge that African Americans and other people of color are often targeted unfairly (witness the number of African Americans accosted daily for no reason other than walking through a White neighborhood—including some, like young Trayvon Martin, who lost their lives) and that our society is not yet so advanced as to have become truly color blind.

Ending Racism Committee Mission Statement:

In an effort to more fully align ourselves with the tenets of our faith (to recognize the inherent worth and dignity of every person and to affirm justice, equity and compassion in human relationships), the Ending Racism Committee’s mission is to help us become more loving and compassionate.  As we build awareness that white privilege and systemic racism are prevalent in our lives and as a society, our challenge is to educate ourselves and our congregation.  The Ending Racism Committee believes that we and our congregation have an obligation to understand how our lives are affected by racism and racist institutions.  We will be pro-active to the corrosive effects which diminish all of us.