RESOLUTION  84-2

RACISM

WHEREAS racism is perennial problem in both American history and American institutions, and

WHEREAS racism is one of the most destructive sins in today’s world, and

WHEREAS racism dishonors God, cur neighbors and ourselves, and

WHEREAS racism spawns fear, guilt, frustration, hostility and violence, and

WHEREAS the Lutheran Student Movement-USA is not immune to the pervasive influence of racism, and

WHEREAS our emphasis should be on recognizing and rejoicing in the diversity and variety of experiences among human beings, and

WHEREAS Christians rejoice in the Gospel, which breaks down all barriers between persons and unites all believers into the family of God,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Lutheran Student Movement-USA go on record as condemning racism in all forms and at all times, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Lutheran Student Movement-USA, affiliated groups and individual members of those groups be encouraged to inform others and participate in and Bible studies, prayer services and discussion groups around the issue of racism, and

BE IT FUTHER RESOLVED THAT the Lutheran Student Movement-USA support the abolition of the terminology which separates people by race (e.g. Black Lutheran/White Lutheran), and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the president of the LSM-USA express this position on racial terminology to the presidents of all Lutheran church bodies and publications, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Lutheran Student Movement-USA, affiliated groups and individual members of those groups express this position on racial terminology at church organization meetings they attend and in publications they read, and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED THAT the Lutheran Student Movement-USA further commit itself to overall social justice and human rights.

SPONSORS:  Metro Milwaukee                                              North Dakota Sate University

                        Auburn University                                             Hunter College, New York

                        University of Illinois in Chicago              University of New York

                        Indiana University                                             Texas Medical Institution

                                                                                                California State-Long Beach

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SUMMARY:  Racism is pervasive institution throughout the world.  It oppresses the poor, persecutes the just and inhibits the trough and World of God.  And it not only oppresses the poor, but it condemns the oppressor as well as the oppressed.  Racism takes the forms of discriminations, segregation and prejudice.