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Church A Prison Experience Ben Chavis Episcopal the of Archives 2020. Copyright

"'The Witness" by Valerie Maynard

VOL. 65 NO. 2 FEBRUARY, 1982 sexism in three inter-related ways: The most important result is the 1) Perpetuating sexual divisions in marginalization of women in the UJUXXJBIXU3 the labor force in order to reduce the economy which creates a constantly price of all labor and maximize profits. available reserve supply of cheap labor. 2) Promoting a consumerist ideology Finally, women are the keepers and ljJSTTJSJid aimed most specifically at women who teachers of many, if not most, cultures. are encouraged to participate in the The perpetuation of distinct, diverse economy by purchasing products cultures is anathema to those who seek "guaranteed" to make them (and their LETTERS to sell Nabisco wafers to the indigenous families) feel more happy, secure, free people of Latin America and deodorants or esteemed. to the people of Malasia. In order to 3) Creating an ersatz culture of global survive, corporate capitalism must capitalism, which displaces women as penetrate national boundaries, ancient teachers and keepers of distinct religions and an immense variety of indigenous cultures. publication. ethnic cultures. As the Nestle's infant Most simply stated, sexism in the work formula campaign demonstrates, and Supportive of Labor force means that women's labor is corporations find it necessary to appeal cheaper to buy than men's. An all- to women to sell products which

reuse I recently got a layoff notice as Colgate female production line in the U.S. costs threaten to maim or destroy the

for shut its West Coast plant down. At a only about 1/3 as much as one conference in Los Angeles on economic individual consumer, the culture, or "manned" entirely by males, and only dislocation I picked up a copy of the both. Enormous amounts of corporate about 1/2 of that of a sexually balanced research money is currently invested in required November WITNESS. I have been a life- work force. In many other countries the analyzing women's roles in different long Episcopalian and a member of the disparity is even greater. cultures with a view toward using Episcopal Peace Fellowship for 15 Women predominate in the traditional values to convert women years. I didn't know the church was

Permission production lines of many, if not most, of from enemies of global corportions into supportive of these labor issues. Glad to the labor intensive industries — textiles their figurative, if not literal, slaves. know itl and garments, food production and

DFMS. Rick DeGolia

/ processing, and the rapidly growing Those of us who would challenge the Oakland, Cal. electronics industry. As Ehrenreich equation of political freedom and points out, these are precisely the "unlimited economic opportunity" must Church industries most likely to relocate from a dedicate a major portion of our Cutting New Ground more industrialized (and unionized) part resources to understanding exactly how Just a fan letter to you for that first-rate of the globe to areas where unions are and why sexism spells increased profit Episcopal issue of THE WITNESS — November, non-existent or impotent, and wages for the rich and even heavier oppression the 1981. The articles were particularly and standards of living the lowest. for all the poor. of interesting and cutting new ground, at The corporate consumerist ideology Linda Backiel least for me. Keep up the good work. encourages women to believe they Nationwide Women's Program God bless you. participate in the economy through American Friends Service Committee Archives The Rt. Rev. Paul Moore consumption instead of production. Letters . . . Continued on page 19 Bishop of New York 2020.

Sexism, MNCs Interact COVER

Copyright Congratulations on the sharply-focused The cover of this issue is adapted from Valerie article by Barbara Ehrenreich, "Multi- Maynard's sculpture, The Witness. The African- National Corporations Exploit Women American artist sees herself as a "conduit" who articulates social themes or personal emotions which on Global Assembly Line." (November cannot be expressed verbally. She is one of the artists WITNESS.) Attention to the interaction featured in the 22-minute film, "Black Modern Art," between sexism and economic giants is available for rental for $30 from Unifilm, 419 Park Av. long overdue. So., New York, N.Y. 10016. Her sculptures — in stone, Sexism is essential to the wood and metal, many expressing prison themes — are multinational's goal of transforming the shown while she comments on the origin and meaning planet into what Peter Drucker refers to of each work. as the "global shopping center." Global Valerie Maynard corporations literally capitalize on THE WITNESS THE

EDITOR Mary Lou Suhor EDITORIAL SENIOR CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Robert L. DeWitt

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Revolution on Thursdays Richard W. Gillett publication. Hugh C. White Waldo: Henry! Henry! What are you people. and doing in jail? While THE WITNESS applauds Henry: Waldo! What are you doing out of reuse these efforts to arouse citizens to STAFF jail? for Ann Hunter action across the board, we sense Susan Small he above dialogue, purported to an anomaly here. Writing about Bonnie Spady have taken place during one of the Los Angeles women's protest

required T Lisa Whelan the most famous acts of civil in the December WITNESS, Joan disobedience in U.S. history, was Trafecanty hit upon it when she resurrected recently in a play said, "Being a middle-aged PUBLISHER Permission commemorating the event, "The woman, I find it very stressful to Episcopal Church Publishing Company Night Thoreau Spent in Jail." The be arrested for civil disobedience and I've made a promise to myself

DFMS. dialogue recalls Ralph Waldo / Emerson's visit to the noted that I won't do it more than once a ECPC BOARD OF DIRECTORS Walden dweller who had refused year." CHAIR Church to pay his taxes in protest of H. Coleman McGehee Drawing the moral to the tale, President James Polk's invasion of we note that more often than not, VICE-CHAIR Barbara Harris Mexico. Without a declaration of white middle-class or upper class Episcopal SECRETARY war or Congressional approval, people are in positions to be the Helen Seager Polk had sent U.S. forces storming advocates for the oppressed and of TREASURER into the bloody slaughter of a can choose to go to jail or not. Robert Potter peasant army. Only one young Minorities and the underclass do ASSISTANT TREASURER Archives Congressman had the moral not have that luxury. Robert Eckersley courage to denounce the war — Thus, Chicanos like Maria Cueto

2020. Otis Charles Abe Lincoln of Illinois. and Ricardo Romero, driven, as Robert L. DeWitt Today, acts of civil disobedience was Thoreau, to get the truth out Steven Guerra abound, as latter-day Thoreaus about Mexico's oppressed history, Copyright Suzanne Hialt protest injustice; e.g., the are summoned for the second time Mattie Hopkins Plowshares 8 demonstrating before a Grand Jury in an action Joan Howarth against nuclear madness; church one can only suspect is designed James Lewis women in Los Angeles protesting to keep socially concerned and Joseph A. Pelham deportation of Salvadoran political activists off the streets. refugees from the United States; Similarly, Steven Guerra of the and most recently, Chicanos and Episcopal Church Publishing THE WITNESS is published monthly. Editorial office: P.O. Box 359, Ambler, PA 19002. Phone (215) Puerto Ricans refusing to testify Company's Board of Directors, 643-7067. Subscription rates $12 per year, $1 per before a Grand Jury in Brooklyn, and Julio and Andres Rosado, all copy. Copyright 1982 by the Episcopal Church claiming that the legal system is Puerto Ricans, are summoned Publishing Company. Printed in U.S.A.ISSN 0197-8896 being misused to harass their Continued on page 19 Introduction Black Women's Agenda by Janette Pierce n November, 1981 a national women's full response to the Gospel. by the mid-seventies. conference of Episcopal women I In late 1980, when the Task Force Subsequent to the conference, in Indianapolis heard four black began planning for Indianapolis the THE WITNESS approached the women forcefully express their three-person conference subcom- four women speakers and Task distrust of the feminist movement. mittee, of which I was a member Force officials as to the possibility of They perceived feminism as a white with Marge Christie and Dorothy publishing major excerpts of the publication. (woman's) concern which drains Brittain, recognized the tension talks to continue the dialogue in a and energy from the liberation battle of between racism and feminism as a broader forum. Permission granted, people of color. major block for women, the church, Part 1 of the series appears in the reuse following pages. for The Rev. Barbara C. Harris, and society in general. But since the in charge of St. Augustine of Task Force then had only one black Cassette tapes of the complete Hippo Church, Norristown, Pa.; member and the planning group was talks, as well as responses, can be required and educators Dr. Deborah all white, the problem was to ordered from Conference Corder, Harmon Hines of Nashville, Mattie address the issue in a context that 3901 Meadows Drive, Suite B-l, Hopkins of Chicago and Myrtle would have validity in the black Indianapolis, Ind. 46205. Write for Permission Gordon of Atlanta laid out "The women's community. Parentheti- two tapes entitled, "The Black Black Women's Agenda," one of cally, three black women now sit on Women's Agenda," total cost $9.75. DFMS.

/ three topics presented at the third the Task Force as well as a Hispanic national conference of the Episcopal and an Asian-American woman.

Church Church's Task Force on Women. Originally, the subcommittee The eight-year-old Task Force is envisioned a dialogue presentation the only entity within the Executive on racism and sexism between a Episcopal Council structure expressly black woman and a white woman. the

of concerned with empowering That this would have modeled, women. Unlike the more financially incarnated, the very split we were independent Episcopal Church trying to bridge never really entered Archives Women, the Task Force is funded our minds. Fortunately, an advisory

2020. by the General Church Program committee formed earlier, in Budget in the Education for Mission cooperation with the Black and Ministry section. Its primary Ministries desk at the Episcopal

Copyright public program has been three Church Center and our own black national conferences: in St. Louis member, Vicki Reid, recommended 1977, Cleveland in '79 and the format and speakers which we Indianapolis. heard in Indianapolis. In planning these conferences, The four women spoke openly the Task Force's concern with and honestly. Each of the 100-plus empowerment of women for women present, at least the white ministry leads it to identify and women, had to deal with the pain, address those personal and anger, frustration, even tears that structural blocks that inhibit many thought had been put behind Part 1: Black Women's Agenda Racism Breeds Stereotypes by Deborah Harmon Hines publication.

and he black women that I work with, assigned them by society and still feel Tseek advice from, socialize with, go that my plight is worse. My step-sisters reuse to church with come from a wide variety are very often as guilty as or guiltier for of backgrounds, economic strata, than their menfolk in perpetuating these educational levels, work, family and myths about black women. leadership experiences. These women Black women are often assigned the required unequivocally see their roles as role of Aunt Jemima. As Aunt Jemima, maintaining, strengthening and we are forced to listen to and solve white uplifting our race, our families, our folks' problems (the men and the Permission culture and heritage, our men and women). As Aunt Jemima, we are also ourselves. And these women see racism held accountable for the behavior of the

DFMS. as their archenemy in this struggle. entire black race. We solve everybody's / Not a single black woman alive has problems, keep the race in line and still escaped the blue-eyed monster called smile. Atlas did not have soYormidable Church racism. Our experiences range from the a task. The Aunt Jemima role is terribly vicious to the mildly annoying. awarded to the "good ones" among us. But in 1981, more than 25 years after the The rest of us have to contend with Episcopal Brown vs. the Topeka, Kansas Board of even less positive labels, such as that of the Education decision, more than 10 years Jezebel. Jezebel is highly oversexed, of after the death of Martin Luther King, promiscuous, and knows all the secrets Jr. and more than 100 years after the of exotic sex. This image makes us the Deborah Harmon Hines Archives 15th amendment was passed prey of all men, black and white, and the guaranteeing blacks the right to vote, lack of the mandatory "two envy and enemy of (righteous) white

2020. racism still exists. identifications, one with a picture" rule, women. Only a few white women in real My black friends still recount tales of when their white counterparts breeze by life or in the movies come close to this white salespeople not waiting on them without identifications or purses. How image. Yet when portrayed by these Copyright in turn in department stores. College often still does a black person show up women, the erotic fires are exciting. students complain of being denied at a personnel office, apartment rental When these same characteristics are entrance into nightclubs and discos for office or real estate agent's office to be assigned black women, they represent told that there is no opening? the dark, the evil and the degrading. Another side to this is that the whole Dr. Deborah Harmon Hines is Assistant Shocking, since the applicant had Professor of Anatomy at Meharry Medical phoned prior to coming and was world knows that there is no such thing College, Nashville, Tenn. She received her thoroughly assured as to a vacancy. as a 21-year-old black virgin. At least Ph.D. in Human Anatomy from University of The blue-eyed monster, racism, rears that's what the police said when one of Tennessee Center for Health Sciences, my students was raped recently. Memphis, and is a member of the Board of its ugly head by assigning certain roles Directors of the Union of Black to black women. I've heard my white Another image assigned to black Episcopalians. step-sisters complain of the roles women is that of welfare seeker. Let's call her Mary. Everyone knows that the Lucille is not necessarily poor. And cocaine dealing of the white middle and welfare rolls are full of black women Lucille does not love her plight. upper classes do not carry the negative having babies to get welfare money. Finally, there is the dominant connotation that drug dealing in black They don't want to work and just love matriarch. Let's call her Martha. North Nashville, Harlem, Watts or the living in the projects. Mary defrauds Martha takes no stuff from anyone, Southside of Chicago carry. and takes advantage of the welfare especially her man or family. Martha Racism implies that veneral disease in system. Mary wears fur coats and drives calls all the shots. Martha pushes her the black community is different from a Cadillac, all bought on welfare children and emasculates her man. No sexually transmitted diseases of the money. These Marys are far out- wonder they are failures and it's all her white community. To my knowledge, numbered by the welfare bureaucrats fault. Of course the only way to these diseases are transmitted by who take their cut from the top. neutralize Martha is for one of her step- Neisseria gonococcus (gonorrhea), Mary is no real competition for the sisters to arrive on the scene, provide the Treponema pallidum (syphilis) and bureaucrats in terms of what she takes necessary comfort to the abused and Herpes simplex II (herpes) in both the publication. from the system illegally. In a recent TV save the day. white and black communities. The

and episode of 20/20, investigative reporter, Again, my major objection is that my latest information shows that these Geraldo Rivera, outlined the step-sisters support and perpetuate diseases have reached epidemic reuse bureaucratic fraud in the New York these myths. I must recount a personal proportion among white college age for food stamp program. That program is experience. During a national scientific young people. losing $1.2 million a year to the meeting in Miami Beach a few years Racism bares its venomous fangs in bureaucrats, white collar criminals. It is ago, I was waiting for the elevator, required the form of genocide. In this, the richest truly ironic that if Mary and the dressed in a business suit, and I wore a country of the world, black babies die at bureaucrat were caught and tried for convention identification badge. A a higher rate than white babies. their crimes, Mary would inevitably be white woman approached and Washington, D.C., whose population is Permission given a longer, stricter sentence for exchanged pleasantries about the over 70% black, has the highest infant "stealing" infinitely less. The Marys that weather. From then on the conversation

DFMS. I know are a far cry from the Cadillac went downhill. The woman commented / Mary portrayed in the media. Many of on the number of "damned Cubans" them on welfare attempt to go to school around and how she "just didn't trust Church to improve their lives. If they succeed in any of them." She then went on to tell acquiring financial aid to pay tuition, me, "how hard good help was to find." buy books, pay busfare and child care, She then offered me ajob as companion Episcopal then their welfare money is reciprocally and baby sitter to her children, the cut. As a student, they have more explaining that she had just lost her of expenses and less money, making "girl" and was traveling to Jamaica. It student status unattractive, if not never occurred to her that I had

Archives impossible. And yet, I have seen many business in the hotel, did not aspire to be Marys rise out of this situation. her "girl" and gave less than a damn 2020. I have a theory that the whole welfare about her children. She just knew that I system is built on keeping Mary in her was waiting in that hotel lobby for her place. Without the Marys, the to come along and offer me a job. Copyright bureaucrats would be out of work. The Racism colors all things black as economy depends upon it. negative. When black people use drugs, Then we are portrayed as masochistic it is labeled as inherent and indigenous women, who enjoy being hit, stepped on to the race. We are just a bunch of and abused. Let's call this woman junkies. When white people deal with Lucille. Lucille loves her man so much drugs, it is a social experience or an that she will do anything to keep him experiment, or even mind-expanding. and that includes wearing the badges The recent crackdown on drugs in the (scars, bruises and broken bones) that exclusively white Bellemeade section of are a sign of her love and affection. Of Nashville, the exposure of Elvis course, Lucille is not uniquely black. Presley's drug habit, and the rampant

6 mortality rate in the country. There is a national levels. At the National struggle, and not asked what we want to higher incidence of hypertension and Episcopal Church Center, until last year do. We are being told that apples and diabetes among blacks than in the only one black person held a high level oranges are the same, when we can see general population. Both maladies can executive position — Bishop Richard that they are not. You cannot easily be controlled by diet. Faced with Martin. Since his retirement, no black substitute one for the other in a recipe. possible cutbacks in school food presently holds a position on that level. Their odors are different. They appeal programs and food stamps, I will not With the exception of the Black Desk to people differently. Even a blind attempt to predict the maladies of this and other social ministries, most of the person can tell them apart. Yet, a steady generation of school children. blacks at the Episcopal Church Center stream of rhetoric is aimed at Black people are much more likely to hold lower level positions (secretaries). convincing black women how much be subject to crimes of violence. The Other than in the Office of Black alike their lives, experiences, wishes and suicide rate among blacks is climbing. Ministries, no black women are in desires are to those of our step-sisters. These facts reflect on poor mental and charge of programs. Obviously there is If white women would simply see publication. emotional health, direct progeny of no real Affirmative Action Program as black women as individuals, not and racism. Such incidences will increase as far as blacks are concerned. Blacks are extensions of themselves, but as we social program funding decreases. summarily discouraged from entering (black women) are, with all 57 varieties, reuse Systematically my race is being starved, the clergy at the diocesan level with the perhaps we could begin to speak for run crazy, made to kill ourselves, our excuse that there would be no positions meaningfully to each other. Until our families, our friends and our neighbors. available to them upon leaving step-sisters stop superimposing their

required This is systematic genocide. seminary. This implies that black clergy needs onto us, we have nothing to say to The politics of racism, subtle and can only serve black congregations. In them. overt, program our black children for these same dioceses, white clergymen History and memory have made failure. School systems label black and clergywomen are placed with black black women more than a little wary of Permission children early as social or behavioral congregations, effectively blocking alliances with our step-sisters. In many problem children. Our children are positions for black clergymen and instances in the past where we have

DFMS. clergywomen. Is this equal employment / completely frustrated by a system struggled together, when our step- designed on certain entry level opportunity? sisters achieved their goals, we were behavioral objectives that they have not Racism placed a disproportionate quickly cast aside and forgotten. That's Church been exposed to or do not possess. Their number of black men on the battlefield understandable, since our goals were inability to deal with this system of Vietnam and places them today in not the same. But we were duped into predisposes them to have behavioral disproportionate numbers in prisons. believing that they were. We are not so Episcopal problems. Subsequently, these children For this reason I cannot support capital easily suckered into that ruse anymore. the

of are funneled into vocational education punishment. As long as the criminal We really shouldn't have expected you programs, mainstreaming them to blue justice system is weighted as it is, black to struggle for what we wanted or collar status. I highly suspect that many people will suffer from it more than needed. It was/is your prerogative to Archives black children are being directed to white people. quit. You had/have achieved many of these programs on general principle So black women's goals and agenda your goals standing on our shoulders 2020. alone. A number of my friends have are very different from that of white and backs. This country was built on complained to me that white teachers women. Black women's goals have been our backs. White women have learned direct black children to become nurses, defined by our roles, very few of which well from white men. Copyright secretaries and mechanics while telling white women share. So, what is the black women's the white children of the same class to Black women find it very difficult to agenda? Our agenda involves become physicians, executives and ally themselves with those who have not maintaining, strengthening and astronauts. been a part of the solution, but a part of uplifting our race, our families, our While racism cripples our children, it the problem. Black women find it culture and heritage, our men and robs us of our men. Our men are extremely difficult to ally themselves ourselves. We fight to erase racism. We psychologically defeated by still not with those who say, "We have all fight for the right of choice and equal having equal access to jobs or equal pay. suffered the same," when we know it access. This does not imply that we want The Episcopal Church is a prime isn't so. Black women find the situation to be like white people (as has been a example. There is no equal employment intolerable when we are told (by white basic assumption of desegregation/ opportunity on the local, diocesan or women) what we should do in our integration). Black women do not want or need validation of our humanity Pecola's life did. She was the butt of all eyes magically changed to blue over from or by white people. Black women of the schoolyard jokes, no one wanted night, all of her problems would be have redefined our positions, goals, to sit with her in class, she was raped by solved. Pecola even went to a mystic in aspirations and ourselves in our own her father, etc. In Pecola's class was a pursuit of her blue eyes. Having blue terms. We have discovered a wealth of fairskinned black girl with hazel colored eyes will not solve our problems. resources among ourselves. We single eyes. The fairskinned girl led a charmed Black women have discovered mindedly pursue our agenda. We are life. People adored her, boys something else voiced in the last lines of experiencing some failures, but worshipped her, everything went right the play, For Colored Girls Who Had enjoying more successes. Anything else for her. Pecola's mother worked as a Considered Suicide When The takes a backseat. domestic for a white family. In that Rainbow Was Enough by Ntozake Unlike the child, Pecola, a character family was a blue-eyed blond little girl. Shange: in Toni Morrison's novel, The Bluest This little girl was petted, pampered, "I found God in myself, I found God Eye, black women have discovered that cooed over and called pet names. She in myself. publication. having blue eyes will not solve our had nothing to worry about. From And I love her so dearly, love her so

and problems. Pecola was a jet-black, observing characters like these, Pecola dearly, Lordy. skinny, ugly, nappy-headed little girl. rationalized that blue eyes represented I found God in myself." reuse Everything that could go wrong in all that was good in life and that if her Thanks be to God. for required Bigotry 'Fashionable' Again Permission by Myrtle Gordon DFMS. / am a black woman, wife, mother of school today?" The boy replied, "The 1three and grandmother of eleven. My missionaries told us, again, that same Church particular response is in the area of old weary tale about how the great racism as it affects the black family. white hunter kills the lion." The father Those of you who are mothers as well as asked, "What troubles you about that

Episcopal all those who have been mothered in story, son?" The boy replied, "Well, the such a special, loving relationship, must they tell us that the lion is brave and of recognize that our children are as close strong — the king of the jungle. So, if to our hearts as our relationship with this is true, it just seems to me that, occasionally, the lion would kill the Archives our God, for we have been privileged to give life to them through the birth white hunter!" The father shook his

2020. process. How, then, must we feel when head sadly and said, "Son, until lions our children are made to feel inferior learn to write books, that's always the and second class by so many negative way that story will end."

Copyright conceptions and misrepresentations? Hence, black people must tell their An African folk tale goes like this: A own story, both orally and in writing. little African boy went every day to the Traditionally, as much as black people have been "studied," the black family as an institution has not been adequately Myrtle Gordon an Atlanta educator, serves on or objectively investigated. Robert Hill, the Board of Directors of the Episcopal author of "The Strengths of Black Society for Ministry on Aging, and is a Families," a report undertaken by the member of the Ad Hoc Committee of Black Myrtle Gordon National Urban League, states five vital Women for the Task Force on Women, of the Union of Black Episcopalians, and of St. mission school. Each day his father strengths which have served black Paul's Episcopal Church. asked, "Son, what did you learn at families well in their struggle to cope with American society. These are: come to the welfare rolls and never in importance of societal standards affects • STRONG KINSHIP BONDS majority numbers! personal attitudes on strictly moral where extended family relationships • HIGH ACHIEVEMENT ORI- issues and the individual expression of were developed and maintained to care ENTATION. Hill describes the them. for all black children, from the overwhelming desire of black families "For years it has been socially infamous days of slavery when families from all social, economic, and unacceptable to be racist even if were sold apart from each other, up to educational strata, to see their children bigotries were harbored and only and including the divisive effects of succeed in the world of formal expressed among likeminded people, today's economic pressures on black education or more prestigious but that has begun to change now. For families. occupations than was accomplished by some reason, there is less prohibition • FLEXIBILITY OF FAMILY the parent generation. Black families about airing feelings of prejudice. ROLES where all members learn to do have continued to value education as an Somewhere, somehow, people have what is necessary to keep the house in equalizing liberator even when racist gotten a signal that it is no longer

publication. order and to support the family without practices have closed doors and they necessary that we all behave as if we are quibbling about what is woman's work have had to confront obstacles to racially 'liberal,' that we believe in such and and what is man's work. learning in spite of "adequate things as equality and brotherhood.

reuse • STRONG RELIGIOUS ORI- credentials." There is an easing of the national

for ENTATION which is characteristic of I could go on and on, about genocide, campaign for racial equality, a relaxing most black people. This deep core of about white middle class norms as among businesses of minority hiring faith and spirituality has been criterion for viewing black families, and training programs and a closer required disparaged by some who would negate about public and private mores that still control of access to power. Reagan's every aspect of black life, even the cannot use a common language to retrenchment on affirmative action and sacred. But it is important to address social traits that are shared by welfare programs that are perceived as

Permission understand that the black church black people and white people alike. In being mainly for blacks has given the became the one social institution in other words, the old "immorality" signal again. A 'conservative' wave is which blacks were left alone by their attributed to black folks (illegitimacy, said to have swept the country, so DFMS. / oppressors and so it became a socially broken homes, commonlaw marriages, 'liberal' racial attitudes aren't required bonding institution, a political base, venereal diseases, drug junkies, etc.) has anymore. A little bigotry is all right

Church and a means of catharsis from the rigors become the "new morality" for white again. and deprivations of daily life. Not folks (solo parents, parents without "What difference does it make, one accidentally was the Montgomery bus partners, drug users, alternative life might ask, if the more enlightened racial

Episcopal boycott organized in a black church and styles, etc.) attitudes were only forced and insincere the converted by a black preacher into the Let me inject here some excerpts from in the first place? A lot. Most of the of springboard of the major civil rights an article entitled, Bigotry Has Gotten progress that was made in race relations movement in American history. the Signal Again, by a white columnist in this country came while, and because,

Archives • STRONG WORK ORIENTA- writing for an Atlanta newspaper: people were required by societal TION. From dawn to dusk, in the "I firmly believe that the majority of pressure to behave as though they

2020. typical American city, public people are good, honest, charitable, wanted it. The longer that pressure is transportation is overrun with the black generous, humanitarian, racially relieved, the farther back we will fall, working class, going downtown and harmonious and imbued with goodwill and the longer it will take to regain what

Copyright across town to work; armies of heroic - right up to the absolute minimum is lost. And we should remember that it mothers who leave their own homes and degree that is required of them and not took hundreds of years to get that far in children to care for the homes and one iota more. . . . Except for the few the first place!" children of strangers; men and women who are guided by a strong internal So you surely must see, along with my who work not one, but two or more moral and ethical compass, most people black sisters and me, that racism must jobs. (One job at typically low pay scales seem to respond in such matters to die so that we all can truly live! for blacks will not yield enough income external pressures — to follow the to keep the family going.) One could course that their society at that moment (See Part 2, "Black Women's Agenda, " well wonder, where are all those "lazy" demands. Laws notwithstanding, it is in the March issue of THE WITNESS black people one hears so much about? the public will that determines whether featuring Barbara Harris and Mattie Indeed, black people were the last to those laws have any effect. The Hopkins.)

9 0% publication. and reuse for

required Hands Across the Sea

Permission U.S. Ordains Woman From England DFMS.

/ by Suzanne Hiatt

hen Elizabeth Canham was "in principle" six years ago but has not . Before these four Church W ordained Dec. 5, 1981, by the Rt. come around to approving it "in national churches began to ordain Rev. John S. Spong, Bishop of Newark, practice." A year ago Ms. Canham women, Anglican from abroad their photos made the front page of the came as a deacon to the American were welcome in English churches. Episcopal New York Times. There was nothing Episcopal Church in order to test her However, in 1976 a 19th century law the unusual about the ordination of a vocation to the priesthood. In the called "the Colonial Clergy Act" was of woman in Newark — 14 women priests normal course of events she has now revived. The law states that "colonial" already serve in the diocese, and there been ordained priest and is serving as clergy must be licensed to function in

Archives are more than 500 clergywomen in the Assistant Rector at St. David's Church the Church of England. The 1976 Episcopal Church across the nation. in Kinnelon, N.J. She plans to stay in revision added the regulation that 2020. What made the event historical was the United States for several years and women priests were not to be so the nationality of the ordinand. She is to become an active and informed licensed. Presumably Ms. Canham will English. clergy member of her adopted church. be asked to challenge that law when she Copyright Elizabeth Canham is the first woman But she does plan to return to England returns to England to visit. deacon to transfer from the Church of some day, and her very presence will Ms. Canham's ordination was England to the Episcopal Church in the challenge the Church of England's marked by communications from two United States to become a priest. inability to recognize and test the absent English bishops and the presence The Church of England approved the vocations of women. and participation of a third, who ordination of women to the priesthood The present situation is that women preached the sermon and joined in the priests from the four national Anglican laying on of hands. At the start of the churches that do ordain women (the service a letter from the present Bishop The Rev. Suzanne Hlatt is currently on United States, Canada, New Zealand, sabbatical from Episcopal Divinity School, of Southwark, The Rt. Rev. Ronald Cambridge, where she is Associate Professor Hong Kong) are forbidden to function Bowlby, was read. Bishop Bowlby of Pastoral Theology. as priests in churches of the affirmed Ms. Canham's vocation and in

10 general terms pledged his support for her ministry, both in this country and when she returns to England. Ms. Canham comes from Southwark and was ordained a deacon in that diocese in 1978. A poem written for Ms. Canham by the late Rt. Rev. Colin Winter, exiled Bishop of and a strong advocate for human rights of all kinds, was also read. The Rt. Rev. Mervyn Stockwood, retired Bishop of Southwark and the bishop who insisted

publication. in 1978 that he was ordaining Ms. Canham deacon rather than and deaconness, preached and noted in his

reuse remarks that he was the first bishop of

for the Church of England to participate in the ordination of a woman priest. It was a great occasion for the required Diocese of Newark and for Ms. Canham's friends and supporters who made the trip from England to be with

Permission her. She was presented for ordination by a number of laypeople and priests

DFMS. from both the Church of England and / the Episcopal Church. Among her presenters were two women priests who

Church had been ordained irregularly in Philadelphia and Washington in 1974 and 1975. Anne Hoad, an

Episcopal Englishwoman, was the principal the deacon, assisted by Gayle Harris, a of Black American deacon. Throughout the service it was clear that both

Archives churches were well represented. It was also clear that the American church,

2020. especially in the person of Bishop Elizabeth Canham Spong, saw itself as doing something for For England, a Priest the Church of England that it is as yet Expeditionary Forces in 1917, for ordination in an American diocese.

Copyright unable and unwilling to do for itself. "Lafayette, we are here." "Seabury, they Ironically, the second woman ordained As an amateur church historian, I are here," I thought to myself as I priest anywhere in the Anglican was especially struck by the irony of the participated in the ordination. communion, the Rev. Joyce Bennett, situation. The American church had to The ordination was an historic event. who was ordained in Hong Kong in go to the non-juring bishops of the Just how it will effect the course of the 1971, is retired in England now. While Church of Scotland for its first bishop. struggle for the ordination of women in she has been honored by Queen Now, two centuries later, we are quite the Church of England is yet to be Elizabeth with the Order of the British probably providing the English Church worked out. Other Englishwomen will Empire, she is not allowed to function with its first woman priest. I thought of be ordained abroad. Kath Burn, an as a priest in England. General Pershing's remark when he Englishwoman, is in training now in an There is a debate in the Church of landed in France with the American American seminary and is a postulant England among supporters of the

11 course in successive meetings of the 'Vocation Is Stronger church synod. Others support actions Than Nationalism' such as Ms. Canham's ordination, strictly legal but at least slightly The Rev. John S. Spong, Bishop of provocative. Still others demonstrate at The Cost of Discipleship Newark, read the following statement at a press conference before the ordinations of men in England and What you have received ordination of Elizabeth Canham: contemplate action similar to the is what He gave you ordinations in 1974 and 1975 in the What you know We view this ordination of the Rev. and feel is truth American church. Meanwhile, women Elizabeth Canham to the priesthood as He has inspired an exciting event In the life of the entire with priestly vocations and bishops that which compels you Anglican Communion. The oppression troubled in conscience grow restive, just now to leave of women by the church is being as they did here nearly 10 years ago. home and hearth and countered in our action. The prejudice loved ones An English priest here for Ms. that seems to demand that women He has prepared for you publication. accept the stereotypes created for Canham's ordination, and thinking you: His strength and them by men Is being challenged. about an irregular ordination in perfected in your weakness: But more important in this action, a England, explained to me that some Your weakness reuse woman's vocation to the priesthood is proponents of women's ordination in perfect in his strength being affirmed. God calls, and the for As Deborah was England feel that he and his friends are church tests that call. I can assure you a prophetess In Israel and the leaders of the Anglican "claiming the wrong bit of history" in As Hannah sang out Communion all over the world that supporting her American adventure.

required her love song Elizabeth Canham's call has been The implication is that they are with liberated heart tested thoroughly and rigorously. advocating the course by which the As Mary I do hope and pray that this action ordination of women was won in this stood immovable will call all members of the Anglican

Permission with sword pierced heart country through the controversy over Church to end the discriminatory in pain wracked practices that still mark some parts of the two irregular ordinations prior to vigil

DFMS. this worldwide communion. 1976. They are advised to look instead so you must stand — / Specifically, I hope the leaders of our at the history of women's ordination in you can no other — mother church, the Church of Canada and New Zealand where and roll away the stone England, will act quickly to claim for

Church of man-made everything was done decently and in themselves the talent, the treasure, and guilt and fears. For the enrichment that hundreds of order. The fact that church leadership you are a priest Englishwomen today stand ready to was strongly advocating the ordination forever Episcopal offer their church in the order of of women in those two churches, let all acknowledge it

the priests. If they do not, these women will whereas it was not in the American and recognise the flowering of follow the call of God to other parts of of your womanhood the world, for vocation is a stronger church and is not in England is not in each and every priestly deed. power even than nationalism. taken into account.

Archives Beyond the Anglican Communion, I The fact is that a growing number of "That which I received want to send a signal to Roman people in the Church of England are I also passed on to you ..." Catholic women and Orthodox women — Colin Winter 2020. claiming the wrong bit of history — our that the Christian Church is beginning to hear God calling us all to see the full history. Knowing the turbulence of that dimensions of a new humanity that is history as one who helped make it I am (The Rt. Rev. Colin Winter, exiled Anglican Copyright both male and female. Until that new anxious for them and wish that the Bishop of Namibia, wrote the above poem for humanity is affirmed in the priesthood confrontations and heartbreak which Elizabeth Canham. He died of a heart attack of the church of Jesus Christ, we lie ahead could be avoided. But at the in November at his London home, at the age cannot escape a distorting sexism that of 53. An outspoken opponent of , will be an increasing source of same time, I am convinced that that he was expelled by South Africa, which embarrassment and scandal in the One history needs to be relived and I rejoice continues to administer Namibia in spite of Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church of to have our experience acclaimed and the withdrawal of UN permission to do so. — Christ. affirmed. I welcome Liz Canham as my Eds.) sister priest in this church and look ordination of women as to how to forward to the day when she will be proceed. Some advise patience and recognized and her sisters ordained in allowing the debate to continue its slow her own land and church. •

12 'Mad Lady' Had Message for Time Present by Roberta Nobleman

When I was a teenager, there was Barnes, a nun attached to the of quickening, experiences no an elderly lady brought every parish. man can ever know, and yet Sunday into St. John's Church, I thought of The Mad Lady perhaps the closest we can ever be Tunbridge Wells, England, in a many years later, here in the to that Ground of all Being. The

publication. wheelchair. She sat in front, in a United States. A man refused Incarnation touches women large flowery hat festooned with communion wine from the chalice differently from men, a kind of and hundreds of dangling safety pins. I offered. I thought, "He's feeling compensation for the male Jesus,

reuse We called her The Mad Lady. unworthy, or he's a member of born into a patriarchal Hebrew for A.A., or a Roman Catholic on a society. She was marvelously unpredict- visit." None of the above. He able. One day she brought a bag of A ghostly vision of bare- simply did not like to have a required oranges, ate them through the breasted pagan priestesses, woman offering the blood of Jesus service, and then threw the pits engulfed in steaming incense from Christ who, after all, was a man. and peel into the collection plate. ancient times — the spirit of More disturbing was when she I realized what a profound Venus, Diana, Ceres, the witches Permission seized the communion wine, experience communion is. Watch of Salem and Salisbury — all drank the entire contents, and children's faces, at the these we inherit at the altar of

DFMS. communion rail, some giggling,

/ then hurled the chalice at the Jesus Christ in 1982. "Time vicar's head. She burst into some extra solemn, some filled Present and Time Past are both hysterical laughter. So did I, and with wonder, but all overawed by perhaps present in Time Future, Church was evicted from the church along the ritual. In a very deep sense, the and Time Future contained in with a friend. We spent the rest of communion service is bound up in Time Past," said T. S. Eliot. the service rolling on the church who we perceive ourselves to be Elaine Pagels, in her book, "The Episcopal lawn in helpless, wonderful and how we relate to other men Gnostic Gospels," describes the the and women. The chancel has of adolescent laughter. followers of Valentinus as having always been seen to belong to all things truly in common. They Church became quite dull when men. See the chancels of our great drew lots for who was to serve the

Archives the cause of The Mad Lady's cathedrals filled with men: priestly duties that day, and hysteria was finally revealed. I was bishops, priests, choir boys, all naturally the lots fell equally upon 2020. there when she delivered an angry robed and ready, as the female men and women. Our attitude diatribe on the entire male approaches and kneels with towards this plan may tell us how priesthood. It seems she would outstretched hands. How many we feel about men and women and Copyright only receive communion at the women lay readers, new to the job worship in this Time Present, Past hands of a woman. A very English as I, felt somewhat intimidated by and Future. compromise was made, and the chancel, as though we were thereafter The Mad Lady received trespassing in some Men's Club? Now, reflecting back upon the her communion from Sister When I shared the chancel last eccentricity of The Mad Lady of spring with a female priest, I felt a my youth, I sense that we caught a great sense of exhilaration, glimpse even then of an eminently Roberta Nobleman is a layreader at St. triumph even, as though we two sane and logical outrage at the Luke's, Haworth, N.J. and the mother of three children. She is an instructor at had, somehow, won through. I exclusion of women from the Kean College, Union, N.J. thought of the moments of birth, sanctuary.

13 & Freeing Prisoners With the Bible by Ben Chavis

n the early 70s, as a United Church At that time, the superintendent's I of Christ minister and field worker, I knowledge of what the black church is was organizing black brothers and all about was limited — very limited. sisters in North Carolina. "Sure, go ahead," he told me. (The Lord We were working for the rights we works in mysterious ways!) knew God intended us to have. But that Well, I got to work studying the publication. was more than the state of North Scriptures, and a strange thing

and Carolina was willing to give. And so happened. In just three weeks, that little nine associates and I had to be framed Bible study grew from 30 inmates to 630 reuse on false charges of arson. inmates! That was most of the prison for Our trial was a mockery. The population, and we had to move the testimony of the chief witnesses was full Bible study to the prison cafeteria. In of contradictions. The charge was fact, on certain shifts they even had to required patently false. But what did it matter? hire extra guards just to keep a watch on We were slated for conviction. And the us. state got what it was after. Now I'll be honest with you. I was Permission Not long after, Amnesty Inter- doing more at the Bible study than just national, after investigating our case, quoting the Scriptures. Of course,

DFMS. declared us political prisoners. People there's nothing wrong with quoting the / from around the world pled for our Scriptures — so long as you apply the release. living Word in your living bodies. When Church It was to no avail. The state of North you appropriate the message, you can't Carolina held off my parole till 1979. help but get strength and determination. And the U.S. Department of Justice You make a channel for the radiance

Episcopal Ben Chavis refused to intervene. that dwells within the Word. But I was the Finally, last December, a federal One incident in particular stands out more than quoting. I was applying. And of appeals court quietly overturned our in my memory. It was 1976 and I had my brothers related to that kind of Bible convictions. The court declared what just been transferred to North study.

Archives we had known all along: that the Carolina's Caledonia State Prison Let me tell you, Caledonia had a lot charges against us had been totally Farm. Now Caledonia is a big of racial problems. And it probably still 2020. without foundation. plantation-type prison, where prisoners does. But the Word brought native The four years I spent in prison will are forced to give their labor to the state Americans, blacks, Hispanics, and never leave me. They showed me the for free. Even now, while you're reading white prisoners together. Copyright importance of a risking faith. And they this, prisoners are out in the fields at I preached the same message to all. reinforced in me the liberating power of Caledonia. And guards are riding over "Even though you're behind bars," I'd the Word. them with shotguns, just like pharaohs. say, "you're still a child of God. You Well, shortly after arriving at have some human rights that no state The Rev. Ben Chavis is Deputy Director of the Caledonia, I met native American can take away from you. They are Commission for Racial Justice of the United prisoners, Spanish-speaking prisoners, inalienable because they are God- Church of Christ in New York City and a Ph.D. white prisoners, and black prisoners — given. " candidate at Union Theological Seminary. many black prisoners. I discovered that And then I told them that we'd have This article was taken from his remarks they had a small Bible study going, so I before the Theology in the Americas to organize because in the real world, Conference in Detroit. A shorter version asked the prison superintendent if it until we organize with power, we'll appeared earlier in The Other Side. would be all right if I helped lead it. never have those rights.

14 The prisoners understood that. had broken a direct order. I hadn't. I prisoners realized that if they did not So did the prison superintendent. Not was sent to isolation because the words mobilize, if they did not organize, if they many weeks had gone by when he called of Scripture had threatened the prison did not analyze their situation and move me into his office. "Chavis," he said, establishment. on it, then they themselves would be "the state put you in here for organizing I was reminded of a reality that day. thrown in the hole. So even while I was black people." In this evil world, you don't have to in chains, the movement went on. It Well, right off, the first thing I did break a law to be punished. If you are multiplied. was to thank him for making that about the concrete liberation of those This was too much for the authorities. affirmation, because the state had never who are oppressed, then this world will So the prison superintendent got on the before admitted the real reason for my not let you be free. It will seek to bind loudspeaker and announced to the imprisonment. you to its ways. whole prison that I was being trans- The superintendent, however, wasn't Now all of this happened to me in the ferred. particularly impressed. "Chavis," he same year that a self-professed born Now they don't normally announce publication. continued, "I'm going to give you a again Christian was saying a lot about when a prisoner is being transferred to direct order." another institution. But this superin- and human rights. The year of his election, Now in prison, when you get a direct the people of North Carolina stripped tendent was a hard-core wielder of the reuse order it means you have to do whatever off my clothes, and they put chains world's kind of power. And he was for the guy says. And if you don't, they around my ankles, waist, and wrists. trying to use me to put fear in the other throw you in the hole, which is officially They did that, they said, to more prisoners. called isolation — as if you weren't effectively throw me in the hole. After broadcasting the announce- required already isolated enough! ment, the superintendent came to the "Don't say anything to those hole to get me. He gathered my stuff prisoners that's not in the Bible," he "Those chains hurt — God together and gave me some clothes. And

Permission growled. "My guards are going to watch knows they hurt! But I was then he put the chains back on. Finally, you!" determined not to show any he had all the other prisoners locked up

DFMS. It was all I could do to hold back my pain. Now as I was walking in two large cellblocks that had a central / smile! down the hall, something hallway down the middle. The idea was Well, when I got to the Bible study happened that only God could to march me down that hallway in Church that week, I remembered how David have arranged. The handcuff humiliation before all the other had gone through a lot of trials and on my right wrist came loose." prisoners. tribulations. And I remembered how he The superintendent ordered two Episcopal had documented a lot of them in the guards to take charge of me. One was the Psalms. So I turned to Psalm 27 and This was no ordinary hole they threw white, and one was black. But before of began to read — verbatim: "The Lord is me in. This was one of those fancy ones they marched me through, the my light and my salvation. Whom shall with sliding electronic doors and all that superintendent bent down and

Archives I fear?" Now the superintendent was sort of thing. Let me tell you, they've got personally tightened the chains around sitting right behind me. And he hadn't some modern holes in this world. my ankles. He wanted me to have an

2020. made a move. So I kept going. But before they threw me in there, expression of pain on my face as I A few lines down, however, I got to they did one other thing. They took marched in front of the prisoners. where the Psalm talks about what away my Bible. When he had the chains good and

Copyright happens to evil doers. I read how in the As I sat in that modern hole with my tight, the superintendent ordered us to day of the Lord they will stumble and chains on, I realized that this was not start walking. And those chains hurt — fall. the first time a black man had been put God knows they hurt! But knowing As soon as he heard those words, the in chains. And it probably wouldn't be what the superintendent was about, I superintendent jumped up and grabbed the last. But then I remembered that was determined not to show any pain. the Bible to see if that's what it really even Jesus had been put in chains. And Now as I was walking down the hall, said. When he saw that it did, he cleared remembering that gave me strength. trying to hold back the pain, something the hall and sent all the prisoners back Further, as is so often the case, the happened that only God could have to their cells. world's effort to exercise power arranged. The handcuff on my right And then he ordered me to the hole. boomeranged. Rather than becoming wrist came loose! I was sent to isolation not because I fearful and submissive, the other I noticed it, of course, right away. But

15 one of the things you learn in the risk committing ourselves to active classism. So the new church by movement is to have a strategy in mind struggle on behalf of the poor and definition must be a prophetic church. so that at the most propitious moment oppressed. A prophetic church is never silent. It is you can implement it. 1 decided that I I speak from the black perspective never a non-critical church and it is would wait till I got a little farther down and I speak from the perspective of one never a passive church. the hall, and then I would raise my fist who has experienced some things that What are the tasks of a prophetic up in the air. My brothers in the prison, our forebears have experienced, and church? One of the primary tasks in the I knew, would understand what it have experienced some things that 1980s, specifically in the United States, meant. They would see it as an probably some of our children will have is to help revitalize a mass national affirmation of struggle, a symbol of to experience. freedom movement through the solidarity. As long as innocent children continue organization and mobilization of the And so, just as I reached the middle of to die in tenement fires, as long as grass roots and the local church. The the hallway, I raised my fist high in the families have to live in winter without biggest difference between the 1980s publication. air and kept on holding it erect. heat, hot water and food, as long as and 1960s is the absence of a visible The prisoners in the cellblook, mass supported freedom movement, led and people are forced to live with rats and noticing what I was doing, suddenly roaches, the Gospel must be heard and by the oppressed leadership and

reuse stopped playing poker, stopped doing judged against the disorder of society, coalition of all the progressive forces. for whatever they were doing. Teenage and the church has a responsibility not Lest we forget, it was primarily through prisoners stopped. Middle-aged to point to some way-off eschatological the church that Martin Luther King, Jr. prisoners stopped. And even the many, future, but to help them overcome their successfully organized and mobilized required many very old prisoners — some of powerlessness now. The issue for us millions of poor people in an activist, them almost 100 years old — stopped once again is survival. The root problem militant, and national campaign against what they were doing, stopped what is human sinfulness which nurtures racial discrimination, class exploitation

Permission they had been doing for years. monopolistic capitalism, aided by and war. And those prisoners, those prisoners racism and abetted by sexism. I believe that we can best help our

DFMS. that surrounded me in the hallway, The new church, I believe, is sisters and brothers in Latin America / risked an administrative write-up. envisioned to be an international, and in other parts of the Americas and From everywhere, they came up to the ecumenical faith process. I say faith in Africa, Asia, and in the native lands, Church bars and raised their fists with me. And process because if you don't practice not by making vociferous resolutions of in that split second, in that dramatic your faith you don't have it. The new solidarity, but providing the vanguard moment, my two guards — one white church is envisioned to be the leadership and direction for a Episcopal and one black — temporarily forgot in international, multiracial, ecumenical rebuilding of a mass-supported national the whose employ they were. And they, too, faith process community from which freedom movement. If we will assume of raised their fists with me! one receives the inspiration and the this responsibility, we will not only say It was like a sign, a powerful sign motivation to struggle for all of God's that we shall overcome, but that we shall, in fact, be able to overcome. • Archives from God that the struggle for freedom people, to transform and revolutionize will never be defeated. It united us all. It the world into a holistic human society

2020. was a sign that the bars and chains of where universal justice, freedom and Resource this world will not forever stand. peace are a common reality, a concrete The complete text of Ben Chavis' talk I know from my experience that day reality. This vision comes to life only in appears In the book, "Theology In the Americas: Detroit II Conference Copyright at Caledonia State Prison Farm that those who are committed to an active Papers," edited by Cornel West, there's a power in keeping the faith. struggle for the liberation of the poor Carldad Guidote and Margaret There's power in knowing that even and oppressed. Coakley and published by Orbls Books when you're going through trial, you The handwriting is on the wall but In Its Probe Series. Order for $10 plus can stand for what is right. You can take $1 handling from Theology in the some can't see it. I'm saying to our white Americas, 475 Riverside Drive, Room the risks. brothers and sisters, those of you who 1244 AA, New York, N.Y. 10115. We need, as a church, to take that risk have oppressed your brothers and Others in the book include William — much more than we do. No longer sisters, allow us to interpret the dream, Tabb, Helen Rodriguez, James Cone, can we afford merely to talk about a allow us to interpret the vision because Ed de la Torres, Lolita Lebron, Beverly church that's committed to justice. We you cannot see it. There is no room in Harrison, Gustavo Gutierrez, Mike Meyers, Jo Klas, and Wllfredo Velez. must risk being that church. We must the new church for racism, sexism, or

16 • publication. and reuse for required

Maria Cueto, Steve Guerra (left), and Ricardo Romero take a coffee break between court appearances in Brooklyn. Together with Andres and Julio Rosado, they have refused to Permission testify before a Federal Grand Jury and face possible jail sentences. Guerra is a member of the Board of Directors of the Episcopal Church Publishing Company, publisher of THE WITNESS. DFMS. /

Church Prosecution 'Re-Evaluating'

Episcopal Charges Against Hispanics the of by Mary Lou Suhor he fate of Maria Cueto, Steven Archives Guerra, Julio and Andres Rosado — Cueto, from Texas, and the Rosados of T Guerra and three other Hispanics all Puerto Ricans — and Ricardo New York to return home while the case

2020. subpoenaed before a Federal Grand Romero, a Chicano, were cited with was being reconsidered. Jury in Brooklyn must still be described contempt after refusing to testify before The five Hispanics have taken the in the subjunctive mood, as THE the Grand Jury Dec. 16. At that time, position of non-collaboration, based on

Copyright WITNESS goes to press. (See January Cueto was separated from the four men their belief that the Grand Jury is being WITNESS.) and ordered to appear Jan. 6, when they used to disrupt and neutralize their After two court appearances — Dec. were scheduled to reappear, expecting political/community work. All except 16 and Jan. 6 — they could go to jail on sentencing. Guerra have been jailed previously for contempt charges for the duration of In a last minute decision, the the same stand. this Grand Jury, pending Prosecuting prosecution simply processed Cueto on Guerra, who currently serves on the Attorney Edward Korman's re- Jan. 6, bringing her litigation up to the Episcopal Church Publishing Company evaluation of the case, or they could be others, following her refusal to testify. Board of Directors, attributed the released, with charges dropped. A Then, abruptly, the prosecution told court's delay to the "quick intervention decision was expected about mid- Guerra, who had flown in from of the church in this case." Robert C. January. California; Romero, from Colorado; Potter, Esq., noted Episcopal layman

17 and Wall Street lawyer, appeared in court Dec. 16 representing Bishops Paul Moore of New York and Francisco Reus-Froylan of Puerto Rico, and the National Council of Churches. He noted that the ministry of the bishops includes ministry to Hispanics, and that they had had privileged communication with some of the defendants who served on the National Commission for Hispanic Affairs of the Episcopal Church, of which Cueto was executive director in 1976. publication. He also noted that the church was and interested in the fate of all five, and as individuals they had the right to express reuse critical views publicly without being for challenged for it. All have been outspoken about Puerto Rican

required independence and the rights of Chicanos and Mexicans. The Episcopal Church Publishing Company, which publishes THE Permission WITNESS, set up a committee last year to inform itself about the issues around Members of the ECPC Puerto Rican Committee meet to discuss the case of the five Hispanics called before the Grand Jury. Left to right are Robert C. Potter, Carman St. J. DFMS.

/ Puerto Rican independence, at Guerra's Hunter, Hugh C. White, staff liaison, and Joan Howarth. Missing from photo are the request. The Rev. James Lewis of Rt. Rev. Antonio Ramos and the Rev. James Lewis. Charleston, W. Va., is chair; other Church members are the Rt. Rev. Antonio Ramos, associate director for the Romero, a Chicano activist, pointed time, were trying to "criminalize Caribbean and Latin America, out that although the investigation is Hispanics." Episcopal National Council of Churches; Carman centered around Puerto Rican "They appeared surprised when we the concerns, he and Cueto were taking a of Hunter, Cueto's former supervisor at all showed up in court. Their hope the Episcopal Church Center, currently stand alongside their fellow Hispanics seemed to be that we would not, and with World Education, Inc.; Joan "because we believe that the cause is then we would be criminals. To face jail

Archives Howarth, Esq., of Oakland, Cal.; and just." for a second time is very difficult. There Potter. Hugh C. White is staff liaison to "It is truly a sacrifice for us, because was a buzz in the court when Julio was 2020. the project. All were in court on Dec. 16 we are involved in community projects late; they were hoping he would not to offer support except for Lewis, whose with our own people," he said. "But we appear," Guerra said. flight was canceled due to weather The fact that a person can be re-

Copyright believe that Puerto Ricans have a right conditions. to speak out and we support Puerto summoned any number of times to a The Grand Jury, ostensibly, is Rican independence. We are two new Grand Jury points up one of the proceeding on information from peoples with one struggle for injustices in the system as presently Alfredo Mendez, one of the FALN liberation." constituted. Congressional legislation members captured last year, who opted to restructure the Grand Jury has thus to turn state's evidence. The FALN is an Cueto most recently has been far been unsuccessful. Meanwhile, the alleged Puerto Rican terrorist group, working in an adult literacy program in five Hispanics await the Brooklyn and the Grand Jury is seeking El Paso at Segundo Barrio Center. court's decision, aware that each delay information about an explosion in Guerra said that the FBI, in calling ticks off the life seconds of this Grand Queens in 1978, and related questions the Rosados, Romero and Cueto to Jury and shortens their term in jail, concerning fugitives. testify before a Grand Jury for a second should they be sentenced. •

18 Editorial . . . Continued from page 3 Letters . . . Continued from page 2 Many people have asked what will happen now. Jimi Simmons' parole date before the same Grand Jury. All Simmons Not Guilty was originally 1982. He has been held in have spoken publicly and openly segregation and isolation, while he On Dec. 9, 1981, James Simmons, the for Puerto Rican independence. awaited trial for over two and one half Muckleshoot/Rogue River Indian years. He was informed after the trial They do not have the option to accused of killing a white prison guard, that he would be held there for another resist a subpoena, nor to escape was declared not guilty of all charges 30 days. During this time he has not contempt charges for refusing to against him. (See November WITNESS, been allowed to participate in the testify. "Prison Worker's Plea for Native Sacred Sweatlodge ceremonies held in One black activist described the American.") I wish that all of you could the prison, despite the fact that the legal situation this way: "You white have been in the courtroom when the system found him not guilty. A Sacred folks have the choice of fighting jury brought back this verdict. Pipe was taken out of his cell and held as the Revolution on Thursdays. We So many people have worked towards "evidence" in his case. The Pipe was this victory over the last two and one half publication. have to struggle to survive every never presented during his trial and it years. I would like to thank the people still has not been returned to the

and day." who traveled so far to come to the trial, In sum, THE WITNESS, while Brotherhood of American Indians. who donated money to cover expenses, We have been informed that the prison reuse praising the acts of those who the artists and printers who worked on administration is going to hold hearings for choose to become voices for the publicity, the journalists who wrote and attempt to transfer James Simmons voiceless and advocates for the articles, the musicians and cooks who to another prison, perhaps outside of the powerless, feels that this is not a helped with the benefits, the people who required state of Washington. We are asking that place to say, "Vive le difference." held ceremonies for Jimi and his this be stopped. We all won a victory Rather, it is an opportunity to supporters, the legal workers who when James Simmons was found not reflect prayerfully and rededicate volunteered so much time and energy, guilty; now we must cement that victory Permission ourselves to the day when the the people who donated supplies, by insuring that no further retaliation is offered advice, put us up and fed us, and social institutions of this country made. everyone who consistently offered Karen Rudolph DFMS. will function democratically. At the / support and prayers. present time, however, when it The Simmons Brothers Defense comes to prison, many are called, Committee

Church Seattle, Wash. but few have the luxury to choose. The Old Time Gospel (M.L.S. and the editors.) Hour Statement of Conscience

Episcopal Printed circuits Our monastic foundation made a Solid state grace the statement of conscience on Thanks- Back woods of Credits giving, 1981, which though controversi- Cover, Beth Seka, adapted from a White-robed cross burners al is an affirmation of the cause of God. It Wield gleaming cleavers sculpture, "The Witness," by Valerie is a symbolist, mystic-prophet Maynard; p. 2, Maynard photo In televised surgery Archives statement which we wish to report as a courtesy Unifllm; p. 5, Hines photo by Slicing souls matter of public record. The monastic Gunter's Studio, Nashville; graphic p. To a white bone of hate 2020. 6, ISIS International Bulletin; p. 8, chapter decided, in the Name of God, Gordon photo by Torrence Studio, Hands washed clean with Jesus in the Spirit to refuse the Salisbury, N.C.; graphic p. 10, from Liz With industrial strength blood ministrations (sacramentally) of any

Copyright Canham's ordination program; photos Of black men lynched at midnight deacon, priest or bishop who rejects and pp. 17-18, Mary Lou Suhor. denies the validity, regularity, or licity of Minds bleached clean our sisters who are ordained to the In the electric glow of preachers' priesthood. Promised forgiveness We ask the understanding and help of Glad Subscriber Thoughts hard and hairless sympathetic brethren so that we might I am interested in anything that stands From brains shaved clean not be isolated even from the Eucha- up to, and challenges, the "Moral As a woman's thighs ristic assembly because of reactionary Majority." I gladly subscribe to THE Made virginal born again (if veiled) rejection and hate. WITNESS. Through corrective surgery Dom Christopher Jones, O.M., Prior The Rev. John Manola Transfiguration Retreat Monastery — Rod Relnhart Wilmington, Del. Pulaski, Wise.

19 NONPROFIT ORG. The Episcopal Church Publishing Company U.S. POSTAGE P.O. Box 359 PAID Ambler, Pennsylvania 19002 North Wales, Pa. Permit No. 121 Address Correction Requested publication. and reuse for At Last, a Moral Majority Survival Kit required A PRESS PROFILE ON Permission THE NEW RELIGIOUS RIGHT DFMS. / viTviSPECWL PRICE FOR

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