Trust Black Women and Girls

"In this moment, when black women like Althea Bernstein and Oluwatoyin Salau, and especially black trans women like Riah Milton, Dominique "Rem'mie" Fells, and Nina Pop are facing brutalization and death because of the intersections of race and gender, it is imperative that we lift up and honor the ways that black women and girls are disproportionately affected by the systems of white supremacy and misogynoir in communities, the church, and society at large. As the 224th General Assembly, we cannot adjourn without making a statement on Black women and girls, we cannot sit by and allow Black women and girls to remain invisible. We must confess that we have participated in structural sin that has exploited, abused, and dehumanized Black women and girls. We affirm the imago dei of Black women and girls as we recognize their cries. We commit to listening and in the work of racial justice, attending to the particularity of the plight of Black women and girls." - Rev. Kerri Allen and Rev. Ashley De-Tar Birt, The Disparities Experienced by Black Women and Girls Task Force More Light’s Board and Staff Leadership unanimously endorse this statement. We also recognize and honor Ashley and Kerri's efforts in calling out the church’s failure and are grateful for Ashley’s service as a Co-Moderator of the MLP board. We confess the participation of the church -- of which we are a part -- in the structural sin that has exploited, abused, and dehumanized Black women and girls. We affirm the imago dei of Black women and girls as we recognize their cries. We commit to listening; and, in the work of racial justice, attending to the particularity of the plight of Black women and girls.  We call out the church -- of which we are a part -- for not taking up this issue, or even taking the time to consider and make this inclusive statement, at this year’s General Assembly. The 224th GA adopted an anti-racism statement with a glaring oversight in that it failed to specifically name Black women and girls in Item 00–29, “On the Church in this Moment in History: Responding to the Sin of Racism and a Call to Action.” For a critical recap of the General Assembly's actions and inactions please read this important statement signed by past Moderators, Co-Moderators, and Vice Moderators of the PCUSA General Assembly. If we as a church are to commit to the work of anti-racism, our words must result in action -- and our words and our action must include and name all those harmed by the evils of racism -- including Black women and girls.  The LGBTQIA+ movement owes its life to Black women and girls. Not just the labors of Black women and girls to further the rights and recognition of our communities, but for who they are as beloveds of God’s creation. Throughout the long history of the work to further LGBTQIA+ inclusion, we know the work of justice is far more than a statement. We also know the work to impact the lived experience of marginalized communities happens far more between General Assemblies. Following the guidance of the Disparities Experienced by Black Women and Girls Task Force Report More Light Presbyterians wholeheartedly commits to:  engage in the work of eradicating systemic violence against Black women and girls in its work throughout all ministry areas; create opportunities for LGBTQIA+ identified Black clergy to come together for fellowship, education, and mutual support for the work of ministry with a specific focus on Black Trans Church leadership, provide resources for awareness and sensitivity around intersections of race/gender/sexual orientation. continue to partner with Rev. Shanea Leonard and the Office of Gender & Racial Justice - a division of the Racial Equity & Women’s Ministries in the Presbyterian Mission Agency. Later today we will be tuning in to Just Talk Live on the Facebook page of Unbound: An Interactive Journal of Christian Social Justice for a special show (July 1 at 2pm EST) dedicated to Black women and girls. Rev. Kerri Allen and Rev. Ashley DeTar Birt will lead this important conversation. Just Talk Live is hosted by Justice UnBound and produced in partnership with Young Adult Volunteer (YAV) Program - Presbyterian Church (USA).  In solidarity and love, The Board and Staff of More Light Presbyterians Rev. Ashley DeTar Birt* Rev. Scott Clark* Rev. Ann Deibert Ethel Hornbeck Rev. Larissa Kwong Abazia Amy Kim Kyremes-Parks Rev. Ashley McFaul-Erwin Mark Olson Tanner Pickett Rev. Bruce Reyes-Chow Andrea Sawyer-Kirksey Lydia Tembo Jessica Vazquez Torres Adrian White Daniel Williams Rev. Alex Patchin McNeill Rev. Jess Cook Susan Robertson * Board Co-Moderators

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