The Washington Post
The country has lost its focus on social issues since Sept. 11, says the Rev. Ronald E. Braxton. The pastor of Metropolitan AME Church in the District of Columbia calls for black churches to reestablish their voice for change as part of their observance of Black History Month.

Churches call for activism

Black History Month an opportunity for education, pastor says

BILL BROADWAY, THE WASHINGTON POST

WASHINGTON -- As if the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks didn't have enough downsides, the Rev. Ronald E. Braxton believes the country's focus on terrorism has suppressed the voices addressing the needs of the African American community.

"Those issues which were so widespread in our community (before the attacks on the Pentagon and World Trade Center) are now silenced," said Braxton, pastor of Metropolitan AME Church in the District of Columbia. "I don't hear anyone talking about the issues of homelessness, drugs, crime and hunger. Those issues are not on the homeland security agenda. And that's frightening to me."

Braxton, 53, said public attention can -- and should -- be focused simultaneously on security and social issues. It's time for the black church to recommit to its historic leadership role in "calling on community, the government and society to be aware of the issues in our neighborhoods," he said.

Braxton calls for black churches to reestablish their voice for change as they celebrate Black History Month -- and assess the role of African Americans in an increasingly diverse society.

Serving the present

Among other activities, church members at Metropolitan, which since its founding in 1822 has been a national leader in civil rights, participated in a conference on how to "empower ourselves through the spirit, the purse and the community," he said.

The Rev. Walter E. Fauntroy, pastor of the District's New Bethel Baptist Church, which is celebrating its 100th year, said the basic message to the religious community during Black History Month has not changed in his half-century as a civil rights activist. "We need to serve the present age," he said.

A present-age challenge in the African American community is to ensure that as many people as possible are registered to vote and that elections are monitored so minorities are not discouraged from voting.

"We must be seriously involved in politics, because politics defined is the process of determining who gets how much of what, when and where," he said.

Tools of technology

Dan Clayborn, 44, president of the single-adult ministry at Metropolitan Baptist Church in the District, said one way for African Americans to ensure that their voice is heard is to improve their proficiency in technology.

"Knowledge is power. So many times we have not been able to share knowledge among the people," said Clayborn, a computer specialist with a health-care insurer. As leader of a singles ministry of 35 to 50 people, Clayborn said he wants to help the group learn how to better blend technology and community.

"Crossing the digital divide," he said, means increasing proficiency to set up online Bible study and prayer groups and strategy sessions to support or fight new legislation.

Revisiting history

Peoples Congregational United Church of Christ will use videos, recordings, photographs and discussion classes to depict the contributions of jazz musician and composer Duke Ellington, novelist Zora Neale Hurston and abolitionist Frederick Douglass, said the Rev. Barbara Walker, director of religious education for the District church.

Most people know Ellington's contribution to jazz, but the spirituality of his life and music often is underplayed, Walker said. Participants will hear selections from three "sacred concerts" held in collaboration with Mahalia Jackson and other performers.

Hurston, part of the artistic movement called the Harlem Renaissance, was criticized by Richard Wright and other black authors for her 1937 novel, "Their Eyes Were Watching God." What critics saw as stereotyped characterizations of Southern blacks are being seen in a new way -- as Hurston's attempt "to show how African Americans dealt with life and were able to find joy despite the troubles they had," Walker said.

"It's important for any people to rehear their own history, whether you are Jewish, African American or Hispanic," Walker said. "That's what keeps it fresh. We have to go on remembering what our duty is today, not only in the past, and to look forward with a vision."

For related stories go to the South Sound Living section.

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