Religion and Race

Reb. Jerry Young

In the article, "Black, White Baptist Presidents Lead Racial Unity Event" form the RNS, a merger of two largest Baptist denominations, leaders Rev. Jerry Young, of the NBCUSA and President Ronnie Floyd of the SBCUSA, will meet with pastors from both groups in Mississippi for a “Conversation on Race in America”. These leaders of the Southern Baptist Convention and the National Baptist Convention will come together to reconcile their racial differences in hopes to bridge the gap in their religion's segregation and find peace within the crisis of their religion in America. They will be joined by 10 other religious leaders of similar backgrounds for their annual luncheon. 

President Ronnie Floyd

As we have learned in our book, race is an issue for many minorities when it comes to being in power of a religious group(Lippy 161). Young admits that "they do not have the same level of influence on the protests triggered by recent events that they had during the civil rights movement.(RNS, Banks)" This is linked to the beginning of the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s when blacks began to fight for their rights. America was build with a large Caucasian base and many believe they are superior. Because of this, it is harder for those of color to be seen as equal. 

I think it is really special that these men are coming together to try and make right with the racial injustice that can be present in religion. This is different than the history of the religions talked about in our book. They really don't try and see people for actually being people, but rather as just their color. 

Here is the link to this article: 

Religion and Race