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Living and working together as the Body of Christ
within the Full Household of God
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November 2007
E-NEWSLETTER

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In This Issue
From Across My Desk . . .
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Divided We Fall
Opportunities to Note
BrendaFrom across my desk . . .
 
Several weeks ago I received a copy of an op-ed article written by a long-time friend of the Council. Since this good work was not picked up by our local newspaper nor many others around the state, I asked permission of the author to print it here. Mr. Hayes Mizell has stated well the concerns and passions many share. I thank him for his continuing to fight the good fight.
 

"Resting in their heavenly repose, South Carolina's civil rights pioneers of the 1930s and 1940s must be scratching their heads. A prominent African-American state senator, also a Democrat and minister, says many of his generational peers are longing for the days of racially segregated schools. Another minister says most African-American children "fared better when we were segregated."

These leaders are understandably frustrated. Too many children are not reaping the academic gains that African-Americans hoped would follow public school desegregation. On last year's state achievement test, more than 40,000 African-American students in grades three through eight scored "Below Basic" in English/Language Arts. An average of 60 percent of all African-American students in third through eighth grade performed at the Below Basic level in science.

There is some good news. Thousands of African-American students are performing well, scoring at the highest levels, "Proficient" or "Advanced," on the state test. However, thousands more have the unrealized potential to do so.

Proposals to solve students' academic problems abound, but many are simplistic. South Carolina has long favored such approaches in public policy. Human bondage would fuel economic development. Secession would free South Carolina of the federal yoke. Racial oppression and segregation would preserve "our way of life." Low taxes would attract industry. Providing a "minimally adequate education" will secure the state's future.

Now comes school choice. Some African-American leaders are tempted by the prospect of state financial support, one way or another, for constituents to choose private schools for their children. Perhaps they genuinely believe this will improve the education of the more than 275,000 African-American students in South Carolina's public schools. It may be just as likely they are focusing on the relatively small number who attend or may attend private schools operated by some African-American churches.

There is no doubt some public school educators lack the cultural orientation, sensitivity, and pedagogical skills to educate some African-American students effectively. This is not universally true, however. Several months ago, the South Carolina Education Oversight Committee issued a report examining 26 "gap-closing schools." During four consecutive years, the schools significantly reduced the achievement differential between "historically underperforming students" and the schools' other students. Three of the schools had poverty rates greater than 70 percent.

What were the reasons for the schools' success? The report concludes: "Not only do gap-closing schools maintain an instructional environment that supports high achievement, but these schools also create a positive school climate that fosters the attainment of high student performance." These conditions do not exist in every public school because local education leaders choose not to make the effort and take the risks necessary to develop and sustain them.

All South Carolinians, not just African-Americans, should be enraged that too many children are failing to meet the state's academic standards. Where this is persistently the case, citizens should organize to demand and support improvements in their local public schools.

At the same time, African-Americans are entitled to the same portion of nostalgia as any other segment of the population. After three centuries, they also have the right to seek or create what they consider to be the most effective education venues for their children.

Their unique history, however, provides them a useful guide to discern what is false and what is true. Separation, withdrawal, and isolation are anathema to authentic education. They did not serve African-American children well when required by law. They will not serve them well if sought by choice."

--Hayes Mizell was a school desegregation advocate in South Carolina during the 1960s and 1970s; he is now semi-retired. Contact him at [email protected]

Well said, Hayes, thanks!

. . .That's the view today.

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The mission of the South Carolina Christian Action Council (SCCAC) is:
To promote and facilitate dialogue among diverse Christian traditions on matters of belief and practice; and
To work in partnership to:
 

Advocate for social justice,
Promote peace-making, and
Foster racial and cultural healing and reconciliation.

 
Because we believe:
That God is Lord over individuals, the structures of society, and all of creation. That Lordship includes our personal and community life, our institutions, our moral and ethical decisions, and our stewardship of the environment.
That the Gospel of Jesus Christ has both personal and social dimensions. Christians are called to be partners with God in those personal and social dimensions, making life full and free for all people.
That Christ's Church is one body. Christian denominations, congregations, and individuals must work together if we are to accomplish God's mission.
   
Our compelling vision:
South Carolina as a community where people of faith unite to glorify God through worship, social justice, peace, and mercy.
 
Donate Now To Be A Part of Fulfilling This Vision
DIVIDED WE FAIL
Faith Week
 

Peace of mind is at the root of most of our thoughts, that our families will have a roof over their heads, food on the table, good health and access to health care when they need it.  Peace of mind is exactly what millions of Americans are missing as they face the increasing demands of affording health care, saving for retirement, sending children and grandchildren to college and supporting aging parents. When we question "Am I one illness away from financial ruin?" "Will Social Security be there for me and for my kid and grandkids?" "Do I have enough money to retire?" peace of mind is denied.

 

By intensifying the voices of Americans from every faith and all walks of life, Divided We Fail will discourage policymakers from playing politics and move them to develop equitable solutions that allow all Americans to live their lives with dignity, grace and, when freer from worry, a greater capacity to love and serve each other and their respective faiths. 

 

The week of November 17-25, communities of various faiths across the nation will reflect on these concerns and call their communities of faith to action.  The Divided We Fail Faith Week activities will celebrate the enormous contributions that religious organizations make in our communities, study the individual and collective need for change, and suggest actions to strengthen our future.

 

Across the nation during Faith Week, Divided We Fail messages are being included in services and places of worship are providing materials and asking their membership to become Divided We Fail voters and share their personal stories.

 

Help us by joining with Divided We Fail. Then, participate in Faith Week by educating your family members, friends and faith community about the issues at stake.

 

For more information please contact Khelan Bhatia ([email protected] ) or Paris Brown ([email protected]).
Opportunities to Note:
 
Hibiscus bloom
 
November 1, 1:00 PM: SCCAC Executives Semi-annual Gathering, in Santee. Bishop Williams, prelate of the Seventh Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, host. 
 
November 15, 6:30 PM
:
WOMEN AND MEN IN A "RAPE CULTURE," a presentation by: Matt Ezzel, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 2701  Heyward Street, Columbia, SC (corner of Woodrow St).
 

Matt Ezzell has spoken internationally on issues related to men's violence against women. As a graduate student in sociology and PHD candidate at UNC-Chapel Hill, Matt focuses his scholarship and teaching on race/class/gender inequality. He has over 10 years of experience in anti-rape and anti-violence advocacy.

 

Using frank and honest discussion, he will present a program addressing what it means to live in a "rape culture" and how media representations of men and women are involved. From mainstream ads to mainstream pornography, what messages about sex, sexuality and violence are being constructed, marketed, and sold to the public? And, what we can do about it?

 

The program is an effort to analyze these images and promote media literacy. It contains examples of media ranging from magazine ads to explicit pornography. Many people may find some images disturbing; therefore, due to explicit content, attendance is restricted to persons 18 years of age and older.

 

The Greater Columbia Chapter of NOW, The South Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (SCCADVASA) and The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship are proud to sponsor this important discussion.

 

For further information contact the UU Fellowship office at (803) 779-0845, email [email protected], or call NOW at (803) 782-7623.

 
November 17, 2:00 PM: Consecration of the Very Reverend Alphonza Gadsden, Sr., Bishop Ordinary of the Diocese of the Southeast of the Reformed Episcopal ChurchRedeemer Reformed Episcopal Church, Pineville, SC. Father Al is a strong supporter of the Council. Our prayers for a daily awareness of God's presence are with him.
 
November 27, 2:OO PM: SCCAC Advocacy Workgroup meets at the Council Office.

Listings in this space are done in conjunction with the Council's mission and as space allows.

The Reverend Ms Brenda Lynn Kneece
Executive Minister
SC Christian Action Council