Issues
- Criminal Justice
- Cultural Proficiency
- Electoral Reform
- Fair Food
- Immigrant Rights
- Racial Ethnic Farmers/Ranchers
- Racism
- Reparations
Criminal justice
The 215th General Assembly (2003) approved a resolution “calling for the abolition of for-profit private prisons.” Part of the resolution calls us to “work to ensure that for-profit private prisons are held absolutely accountable to all existing laws and to stringent provisions relating to prisons and the protection of prisoners.”
Resolution Calling for the Abolition of For-Profit Private Prisons
Cultural proficiency
Effective methods and strategies are needed to change entrenched societal attitudes and norms that manifest as racist behavior in the PC(USA). The Cultural Proficiency Initiative is a tool to help transform the cultural environment of the PC(USA) from “one of legalistic compliance with secular affirmative action and equal employment opportunity laws to one of genuine caring and valuing of all humanity where relationship building and God’s agape love are modeled” (from the summary of the Report).
Open Letter Regarding “Creating a Climate for Change”
Report on Creating a Climate for Change Within the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
Electoral reform
The disenfranchisement of people of color remains pressing today. Electoral reform is critical to ensure equal participation of all people in the governing of the United States. Find out more about the PC(USA) recommendations on how to empower the disenfranchised in this report.
Task Force on Election Report and Recommendations
The Washington Office offers action alerts on electoral reform.
Fair Food
The Advocacy Committee for Racial and Ethnic Concerns is mindful of social issues pertinent not only to people of color, but to all of God’s children. In 2005, a profound accomplishment was achieved through the hard work and diligence of many people, including members of numerous congregations throughout the United States and the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (PCUSA). This initiative became known as the Fair Food Campaign and has been endorsed officially by the Rev. Dr. Clifton Kirkpatrick, former stated clerk of the General Assembly. The purpose of this campaign is to call on all members of congregations to do their part to come together on issues facing the many men and women who work arduously day in and day out to bring food to our table. Doing our part can range from signing a petition to sending a letter to specific companies that are guilty of mistreating workers through unfair wages or poor working conditions. More information regarding the PC(USA)’s ongoing commitment to this effort can be found on the Fair Food site.
Immigrant rights
This resolution on the legalization of undocumented workers responds to the challenges presented by large numbers of these workers in the United States. Continuing in the tradition of past General Assemblies, the resolution calls on the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to open itself to the transformation God has in store by encountering more purposefully our new immigrant neighbors.
Advocacy opportunities:
Presbyterian Peacemaking Program – Provides links to Presbyterian policy on immigration and advocacy networks.
Washington Office Legislative Action Center – Provides action alerts on immigration legislation with easy instructions on how to contact Congress regarding each bill.
Congregational ministries:
Immigrant Groups Ministries – Learn about the immigrant ministries of the PC(USA) and how to support their development.
Resolution Calling for a Comprehensive Legalization Program for Immigrants Living and Working in the United States with Study Guide (2004)
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Racial-ethnic farmers/ranchers
In addition to the difficulties of survival all small farmers and ranchers face, racially discriminatory legislation and practices led to land-loss among racial-ethnic owners at a much higher rate. Although many of the discriminatory laws were repealed, racial-ethnic farmers continued to face discrimination by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), such as the denial of crop loans readily given to white farmers in similar circumstances. African-American farmers filed a class action suit against the USDA for such practices and settled successfully in 1997. However, nearly nine out of 10 of those eligible for restitution continue to be denied.
Read more:
Obstruction of Justice – Report on the USDA denial of restitution to African-American farmers, by the Environmental Working Group and National Black Farmers Association.
We Are What We Eat
This PC(USA) report adopted by the 214th General Asembly (2002) on rural life and the church includes a section on the difficulties that face racial-ethnic farmers and ranchers in particular (pp. 11-12).
Racism
An ongoing thrust of ACREC’s efforts continues to be monitoring the PC(USA)’s commitment to racial justice as outlined in “Facing Racism: A Vision of the Beloved Community.” This report identifies areas of progress as well as areas in urgent need of improvement within the PC(USA).
Racial Justice and Advocacy offers more information on antiracism efforts.
Report on the Church’s Effort to Combat Racism
Reparations
Responding to a recommendation from the Advocacy Committee for Racial Ethnic Concerns, the 213th General Assembly (2001) created a Task Force to Study Issues of Reparations for African Americans, Native Americans, Alaskan Natives, Asian Americans, Mexicans, Puerto Ricans and Others Who Have Experienced Unjust Treatment. The task force met over the next three years, seeking input from a variety of Presbyterians. Consistent with its commitment to racial justice, the 216th General Assembly (2004) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A) adopted the report of the Task Force to Study Reparations, “affirming that Jesus Christ calls us to repair wrongs done to one another and to work for personal and social reconciliation and renewal.”
Report of the Task Force on Reparations (2004)