Skip to main content

CRC Joins in 'Stand Against Racism'

April 24, 2015
right to left: Nancy Vander Meer, Ryan VerWys, Colin Watson Sr., Maegen Pulley join in ‘Stand Against Racism’

right to left: Nancy Vander Meer, Ryan VerWys, Colin Watson Sr., Maegen Pulley join in ‘Stand Against Racism’

Chris Meehan

More than a dozen people gathered in a conference room in the Grand Rapids office of the Christian Reformed Church on Friday at take a “Stand Against Racism.”

They were doing this as part of a “movement that was initiated and started by the YWCA in Trenton and Princeton, New Jersey, in 2008 in order to raise awareness that racism still exists in our communities and that it can no longer be tolerated or ignored,” said Colin Watson Sr., the CRC’s director of ministries and administration.

“The objective is to bring organizations together who believe, like we do, that united we can build community among those who work for racial justice and to raise awareness about the negative impact of institutional and structural racism in our communities,” said Watson at the start of the gathering in Grand Rapids.

While the event at the CRC office involved prayer and a Diversity Litany, other Stand Against Racism events across the country have included or will include walks through communities, seminars and presentations, discussions on racism, displays of art and concerts.

Stand Against Racism events will run through Sunday.

After Watson spoke, one of the participants started to read the Diversity Litany: “We have come burdened by the weight of injustice and disparity. God, lift us up, be our strength and guide. We have come as the ‘walking wounded’ in need of healing from hurts we have felt or given.”

Another person read:  “God, help us to remember and be our strength and our guide. We have come to strengthen each other, having felt all alone in our desire for reconciliation.”

After the litany, participants recited a Pledge Against Racism, which read in part: “As an individual committed to social justice, I stand with the YWCA against racism and discrimination of any kind.”

The event ended with a song titled “I Need You to Survive.”

Watson said it was important for the CRC to stand with other organizations and communities “who want to end racism.”

In addition, he said, it made sense for the CRC to take part since “obviously we have a long history supporting the cause of race relations. It is a critical part of living out the gospel.”