Diversity?

Part of our mission statement says, “We celebrate diversity.” Sometimes people feel that is the hardest goal of all. We have a lot of some kinds of diversity in our congregation—diversity of age, income, sexual orientation, belief, temperament. But we don't have a lot of racial diversity. We live in a very white state, though Portland itself is rich with multiple colors, cultures and languages. What might it look like, realistically, for us to celebrate racial diversity?

I believe we must go outside of our own doors to do it. When folks are working to help African immigrants get settled in a new home, that is one way. When folks teach English to those who speak other languages, that is another way. Today I want to call our attention to another vital thing we can do: join and support the work of the Portland Branch, NAACP (The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People).

The NAACP was founded in 1909 to respond to the horrors of the lynching of African Americans. There were early branches of the NAACP in Maine in response to an active KKK presence in Maine in the 1920s. The current Portland Branch was activated in 1964 by Gerald Talbot. The Portland Branch has always been an interracial interfaith organization. The mission of the NAACP is to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights for all, and to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination. It is our premier organization fighting for racial equality, and has also been on the front lines against all forms of discrimination.

In November, I was voted a member of the Executive Committee of the Portland Branch, and will begin in that role in January. I am looking forward to having a closer involvement in its work, including sharing with you opportunities that arise for participation.   Check out the website for more information!

NAACP Portland