Racial disparities and the Church

West Charlotte	Myers Park
High School Graduation Rate =  56%	High School Graduation Rate = 98%
HS/MS test proficiency = 20%	HS/MS test proficiency = 20%
Average Age of Death in Enderly Park = 64 years old	Average Age of Death= 78 years old

30% of the population of Charlotte/Mecklenburg is black

83% of the Jail population in Charlotte/Mecklenburg is black

We have a problem.

I have a lot of questions for the Church.

Why is the church allowing for these and other disparities to exist?  Does the church believe these disparities exist because people of color are less capable, less willing, less interested, less worthy? Does the church believe that these disparities are not a concern of the church?  

Surely this cannot be the case.

My observation is, most often the church's response to these disparities has been either to ignore, to fear, or to commit missional colonization.  All of these approaches are problematic.

I want to scream at the Church, "What are you thinking?  Who are you thinking about?  Do you remember who you are?  Don't you remember the way?"

The people of Enderly Park are our neighbors and our family.  They are brothers and sisters in God's Kingdom.  How can anyone let themselves benefit from others' suffering and pain?

If you're with me, if you're screaming at the top of your lungs or you've got a lump in your throat.  If when you look around at the disparities, you feel queasy with righteous anger, then join me.  Tell me about your ideas.  Tell me about what you're doing.  Show me that the Church isn't all lost.

QC Family Tree is working toward another way: a way of solidarity, mutuality, and empowerment.  Through practices of prayer, hospitality, and creativity, we are laboring for "on earth as it is in heaven".  We're not perfect.  We've got our hang ups and our blindness- everyone does.  But, we're trying.  Here are the ways we've recently been addressing these issues and building family across economic and racial divides:

Speaking Out on Issues- Involvement in Advocacy and Action on issues such as:  Racism, Economic Injustice, Serial Displacement, Community Development, and other neighborhood concerns.  

Community Organizing- gathering neighbors together to work for positive changes for our neighborhood, changes that help our neighbors. Addressing land loss and serial displacement through partnerships and neighborhood-based efforts.

Developing Young Leaders who can articulate their own goals, situate them in the communities where they live, and work to achieve them.

Businesses for the Common Good- Creating businesses that will train, employ, and uplift neighbors that neighbors can own/run. Kinfolk Coffee develops strong leadership from outside QCFT staff with increased work schedule and profitability.

Youth/Kids Enrichment-  Cultivating strong sense of identity and kinship with one another and as part of QCFT group.

Discipleship- Bible study, worship gatherings, community service, prayers, church

Connecting to people- Improved communication between all QCFT residents. Making new friends/partnerships in the neighborhood and in Charlotte and beyond.

A Creative/Welcoming Place- landscape, gardens, décor, acceptance, public art, offering space to others, positive attitudes, inviting others to join us

Will you join us? 

Do you have ideas?

Are you taking action?

Let's hear about it.  Let's work together.