Local ministers gather to discuss race relations throughout community
The St. Francis County Chapter of the NAACP held a panel discussion Tuesday evening at the Forrest City Civic Center for the community to discuss race relations.
Panelists included Bishop Connie Moore of Greater Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church of Caldwell, Pastor Allen Calvert of ConnectPoint Church, Pastor Dr. Steve Walter of First Baptist Church, Attorney and Mediator Kim Milstead, Rev. Dr. Michael Qualls of Graham Memorial Presbyterian Church and Pastor Samuel White of Madison Light Baptist Church.
NAACP St. Francis County Branch President Dr. Howard Smith told the crowd that equal justice initiative documents show that following the American Civil War, white churches supported racial hierarchy and segregation which forced African Americans to form their own churches.
"It is way past due that we sit down together, break bread together and have this discussion," said Smith. "In 1959, nearly a century after slavery was abolished, less than two dozen of the south's 1,000 white churches were known to have any black members. Just as they opposed integrating schools, many white people feared that recognizing African Americans as equals, in the intimate context of church, would usher in total social equality, which they found unacceptable. In 2016, 86 percent of churches lacked any meaningful racial diversity. As Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. observed, the most segregated hour in Christian America is at 11 a.m., on Sunday morning. My first question tonight is where are we in the context of history? When we talk about racism and study the effects of racism, have we grown from these days of deep-rooted segregation? Are we safe in black skin to integrate?"
Moore said he believes there has been growth in the area, however, said there is still much farther to go from here.
"I think, to the first part of your question of have we grown, I think to some degree there has been some growth in terms of communicating. I think tonight is a show that there is some growth, but I do believe that we have a long way to go. I do think some progress has been made," said Moore. "When you stop sweeping things under the rug and start addressing them, that is a sign that change is in motion. Are we safe? To some degree I think yes, to some degree I am not sure. I believe that in our church, a person of any color and any culture can come and feel safe in our church. It should be the same way in every church."
According to Calvert, Forrest City, overall, has been making progress and opening the doors to unity over the past two years.
"I believe there is progress," said Calvert. "Over the last two years, the community has opened the doors to unity. That is definitely a start. There have been a few marches on violence and we just had a Jazz Fest that pushed the issue of unity in the community. We don't just have African American families that go to our church. We have hispanics, Philippines and South Africans that attend our church. We have multiple different cultures. I think Forrest City over the past few years is making progress."
Smith asked the panel if people are a united body of Christ, a united community or a united country.
"In the context and time of history, we have learned of divisions post-slavery," said Smith. "Where are we now? Do we really see ourselves united? Are we a united body of Christ, united community, united
country? If not, what is causing that separation? Is it cultural ties?"
According to White, if people start living the word of God, people will begin watching the community change.
"That is a yes and no question," said White. "Racism has been hidden for years. It is because of the way some people were raised. I think – and this is just my opinion – if we are going to serve a loving, caring, passionate and kind God, then we have to care for each other. If you don't accept what God's word is, you are going to be the same. Yes, we have made some progress. No, we have not made enough. As a child of God, I try to live every day the way that I want to be treated. People can talk about me all they want, but it is not about what they do to me. As a child of God, you represent God. We say that God is kind, loving, compassionate, He is forgiving, He harbors no ill will against anybody. How can you be a child of God when you are still doing what you want to do? Are you what they say you are or are you what God says you are? If we start living what we talk about, you will watch our city change."
Qualls said people are blind and have blind spots to racism and that while he, himself, is a recovering racist, he hopes to have made a lot of progress.
"Our growth and health as a community can only advance when we are humble and transparent. Let me start by saying that I am racist," said Qualls. "I don't want to be. I don't mean to be. But I am a product of the deep South. A white man from the deep South. I was raised in the home with a bigot for a father. I am the product of 400 years of the dominant culture. I have grown. We are blind and we all have blind spots. While I am a recovering racist, I am hopeful that I made a lot of progress."
Walter explained that he has received a "crash course" over the last three weeks following a racial incident that occurred at the First Baptist Church.
"I would have to tell you my reflections over the last three weeks," began Walter. "I come at this from 30 years of ministry in urban areas. It has shocked me that we are sitting at this point. I am floored in my gut that we are still having to have these conversations. These conversations, as far as I am concerned as a pastor, have to have the gospel centered in them.
“Another element to this, as far as the last three weeks, has been the grieving of a young woman who did not experience the kind of welcome that as a pastor, or as a church as a whole, has sought to cultivate for many, many, many years,” continued Walter. “Yet, the grief did not stop with how she was hurt, but how then 330,000 views of my meager attempt to apologize has been presented across the worldwide web. I have experienced, in a very real way, a sense of prejudice and judgement that many of African American brothers and sisters have experienced their whole lives. I can honestly say that the variety of lessons I have learned has been the great necessity of embodying humility, truth, grace and compassion as a pastor and as a leader in the community."