So much for the argument that racism doesn’t exsist. There’s a Racists Anonymous group that proves otherwise.
According to WCNC, Trinity United Church of Christ in Concord, N.C. is one of the major spearheads behind RA — the weekly attempt to begin the healing process of one of America’s worst cancers–racism.
RA is modeled after any other anonymous meeting–led by a licensed therapist and follows the traditional 12-step model and attendees are encouraged to share as much or as little as they’re comfortable with.
The churches reverend, Nathan King said his call-to-action came as a replacement for “just prayer.” Answering the request of one of its California sister churches to try the meetings, TUCC took on the responsibility of introducing RA to N.C.
“It seemed like every week we were coming into worship and we were doing another prayer because someone had been killed in the street,” Nathan said. “It’s to deal with the racism within ourselves and to eliminate the racism within ourselves.”
About twelve people gather in the churches fellowship hall– who have reportedly mostly been church members. Community members from surrounding neighborhoods have been making appearances at the meetings more and more lately.
So what’s it like at an RA meeting? We’re sure slightly awkward! Reverend King describes it as “difficult.”
“It was difficult. From day to day, I find myself in that place of racism,” he said. “It may not be the first thing you want to talk about at Thanksgiving dinner with your family, but those conversations are going to be more common going forward.”
One of the RA organizers said that the goal of RA is to “change systematic racism in the United States of America.”
People will have their opinions but we think RA isn’t too bad of an idea. But does this suggest that racism is a sickness or disease as opposed to a learned behavior?
Let’s chat!
source: WCNC, http://www.wcnc.com/mb/news/local/racists-anonymous-meets-in-charlotte/307308310
TSR STAFF: Chantel P.! @_popchanny on IG!