GNJ’s Commitment to Racial Justice

At the 2015 Annual Conference, Greater New Jersey committed to explore equal justice, racial justice, institutional racism and white privilege. Through Legislation submitted by the Greater New Jersey Caucus of Black Methodist for Church renewal and passed by the body. Specifically, the legislation read:

Therefore, be it resolved that The Greater New Jersey Conference leadership and congregations explore the concepts of equal justice under the law, racial justice, and institutional racism, and white privilege at both the conference and local church levels; and

Be it further resolved that the Greater New Jersey Conference creates a task force to identify resources to help congregations engage in initiatives that address that needs of the community, the perpetrators, and the victims that bring God’s restoration and helps congregations promote positive relationships between the community and the police. We also ask that the Greater New Jersey Annual Conference designates BMCR and the Conference’s Board of Church and Society and the Commission of Religion and a Race to work in consultation with the bishop to set the membership of this task force. This task force will report their findings and recommendations at the next annual conference.

Be it further resolved that the bishop, extended cabinet and the connection table read and have a discussion on the book, “The New Jim Crow” by Michelle Alexander.

Be it further resolved that the Greater New Jersey Conference continues to promote dialogue between members of the various communities and law enforcement officers and agencies; and

Be it finally resolved, that Greater New Jersey Conference join with other labor and community groups to call for the creation of a national model for community policing, and an end to institutionalized racism in the criminal justice system.

At our last annual conference session, leaders were encouraged to read The New Jim Crow about mass incarceration and the book was distributed to the extended cabinet. At the end of last year, Bishop Schol helped organize and lead a panel discussion with U.S. Senator Cory Booker, US Attorney for New Jersey Paul J. Fishman and religious leaders about mass incarceration. The following link is a report on trends in corrections fact sheet that provides information about incarceration since 1980. You are welcome to share it with your congregation.