Quote:
Originally Posted by AtlantaBishop
Well............... I don't know your org but here it is from my perspective. I was invited to sit as a visiting Bishop on the General Board of a large Black org. The Presiding Bishop invited me to get a "different perspective". I did sit with them but the looks some gave me and the comments that some made after I spoke - were demeaning and outright rude. The Bishop did correct them as I was there as his guest - but some did not want me and it did make me uncomfortable.
It could be that these would feel uncomfortable in having to be the one to break the ice!
I did get a call from a Black Network yesterday that has only black preachers on - they have been looking at my MY SPACE page and our Website and asked me to come on board at no expense to me - just to break the racial barrier! It is working for me! PTL!
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I really do understand, AB. I've talked with the board president about it. I have friends who are AA and have visited their churches many times. You really have to be in that position before you can understand how it feels to be the only one of your race and culture sitting in a room (or worshipping in a sanctuary). Unfortunately, because we're all human, it is an uncomfortable position to be in very often. So I understand. I sincerely wish I knew what we, as a predominately white organization, could do to reach out to those of us who are AA and make them feel more comfortable.