wfn.org | Commission wrestles with use of Native American sports symbols

[NewsDesk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.UMC.ORG>]

Sept. 28, 1999	News media contact: Joretta Purdue*(202)546-8722*Washington
10-30-71B{493}

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (UMNS) - The racial monitoring agency of the United
Methodist Church is wrestling with how best to protest Native American names
and mascots of professional sports teams.

The Commission on Religion and Race tabled two recommendations on the topic
when the 41 voting members were not able to reach agreement at their Sept.
23-26 meeting.

One recommendation from the commission's Native American Concerns Committee
would bar holding meetings of the commission in metropolitan areas where
professional sports teams have Native American mascots or names. The other
would ask that church policy prohibit other denominational agencies from
meeting in these cities.

Some of the concerns voiced included whether the small size of agency
meetings would matter to city and sports officials, whether it was more
effective to go to such cities and engage in protest while meeting there,
and if there was a mixed message in boycotting a city for meetings a few
days annually and having offices there that function throughout the year.

At its 1998 meeting, the commission voted to ask the Commission on the
General Conference to move that assembly scheduled for May 2-12, 2000, from
Cleveland, where the Cleveland Indians have a logo called "Chief Wahoo." The
Commission on the General Conference considered the request but decided that
the gathering would remain in Cleveland.

The Commission of Religion and Race also readily agreed to have a Native
American presenter at a meeting during the coming quadrennium educate
members about racism and the Native American experience. 

The agency decided to have a full meeting for all the members instead of two
committees on Feb. 25-27, primarily for General Conference strategizing.
Issues tabled at this meeting are expected to be addressed at that meeting.

The Rev. Chester R. Jones, a clergy member of the Little Rock Annual
(regional) Conference, was installed as general secretary of the commission
at Theressa Hoover United Methodist Church on Sept. 25. He had begun the job
early in 1999, after his selection at last year's commission meeting. 

Bishop Janice Riggle Huie of the Arkansas Area joined in the installation
service with Bishop S. Clifton Ives, president of the commission; Bishop
Elias G. Galvan of the Seattle Area; Bishop Nkulu Ntanda Ntambo of the North
Katanga Area; the Rev. William Robinson, minister at Hoover; and several
members of the commission. 

Galvan was named to chair the search committee for an associate general
secretary to carry the Asian-American portfolio, a position held previously
by the Rev. Hidetoshi Tanaka, who continues his battle with cancer. The
commission issued a resolution of affirmation and appreciation to Tanaka and
plans to honor him at the February meeting.

Several pieces of proposed legislation were prepared for the 2000 General
Conference, the church's highest legislative assembly. Among the proposals
are addition of a paragraph on racial justice to the church's constitution,
a resolution denouncing hate crimes and suggesting counter-measures, and a
resolution providing that any restructure plan would renew the church's
stand against racism and provide for independent monitoring.

In other business, the commission members agreed to support the Bishops'
Initiative on "Hope for the Children of Africa," continuation of
"Strengthening the Black Church" for the next quadrennium and a General
Conference resolution from other groups that would continue support for
Africa University at $20 million.

The commission also awarded 28 Minority Group Self-Determination Fund grants
totaling $552,500.

In his first annual report, Jones reminded commission members, "God calls us
to dismantle racism in any form."  Noting that not all church members are
disciples, Jones said,  "Membership is about getting people into the church.
Discipleship is about getting the church into the people."

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