ACTION opens dialogue on 'Sacred Conversation of Racism'

YOUNGSTOWN

ACTION’s “Sacred Conversation on Racism” began at a clergy breakfast at Martin Luther Lutheran Church, 420 Clearmount Drive, where the Rev. Dave Kamphuis was host pastor. The beginning dialogue laid the groundwork for future sessions on the complicated, multifaceted issue.

John Norton of St. Paul, Minn., director of training for Gamaliel, based in Chicago, offered a presentation on racism Thursday. Gamaliel, founded in 1986, trains community and faith leaders to build political power and create organizations that unite people of diverse faiths and races.

He said Gamaliel, through its training programs, aims to build collective power to influence the economy and jobs, strengthen faith communities and heal communities.

ACTION – the Alliance for Congregational Transformation Influencing our Neighborhoods – is affiliated with Gamaliel.

“We need to discuss the original sin of the United States – racial oppression,” he said. Norton said racism has different levels – individual racism “is my own feelings” while structural racism is the use and abuse of power by community institutions.

Read more about the program in Friday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.