By Anita Lindsey
ST. PETERSBURG, Florida--The St. Petersburg and New Port Richey churches invited Florida congregations and people of all faiths to attend a racial healing and reconciliation seminar at the Bayfront Center's Mahaffey Theater Jan. 11.
"We are all citizens of this planet; black, brown and shades of color," Steve Brown, pastor of the St. Petersburg and New Port Richey churches, told those in attendance.
"God sees beyond color," Mr. Brown said. "But for us, the problem of racism is bigger than we are, and we're here seeking God's guidance."
The church conducted the seminar after the death in October of a young African American man at the hands of a white policeman that triggered two nights of rioting in St. Petersburg.
Cherry Steinwender, cofounder of Houston's Center for the Healing of Racism, and Chris Beam, pastor of the Houston church, conducted the 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. seminar.
Guest speakers were Curtis May, pastor of the Pasadena church, and Mr. Albrecht.
"It has been a painful journey for me to recognize my own racism," Mr. Brown said. "I'm still dealing with it."
Ms. Steinwender introduced a video of Barbara Hacker, also a cofounder of the center, who was unable to attend the seminar because of an illness.
On the video Ms. Hacker said: "There is much diversity in this church, and others are envious. They don't know how to attract a diverse group."
Ms. Hacker said that reconciliation begins with reconnecting-- the restoring of harmony--going back to when there was no division. She said that divisions are a result of wrong thinking and misinformation. Racism is something that is learned; therefore it can be unlearned."
Ms. Steinwender then stopped the film and said: "Most people believe they cannot talk about racism in a diverse group. Most people say they are not prejudiced and underevaluate the problem. They don't know how big and how powerful racism is. Racism is a disease. It is not our fault for getting sick, but it is our responsibility to get well."
Ms. Steinwender introduced a second film, Racial Stereotypes, that showed how depictions of blacks through history fostered racism and prejudice. She said that those images created fear in whites and destructive self-perceptions in people of color.
After the film, 17 panelists assembled on stage. Ms. Steinwender and Mr. Beam asked each to express his or her feelings about racism.
Ms. Steinwender asked Remonia Lewis how she wanted to identify herself. Ms. Lewis replied: "As a black American. I'm the second generation to have a male family member, my grandfather, killed because of racism. Still, my own race has not learned to put away hatred and to love each other."
Andy Reyes responded to the same question: "I am a Latino youth. I am here to give youths a voice so some of our problems can be heard. Because of peer pressure, the odds are against me as a Latino and as a Christian. But, I love being different, and God has given me that strength."
Evelyn Timmins wept as she apologized to any people of color in the audience she may have offended.
In his afternoon sermon Mr. Albrecht asked Christians to come to Christ with the vile sin of racism. He talked about his own struggle with racism and discrimination.
Mr. Albrecht said: "Christ said to love your neighbor. I want to apologize to you all for what I have been and what I have taught."
Mr. Albrecht asked the audience to clench their fists, then he asked: "What can you do with clenched fists? Can you make a gesture of kindness or love with them? Clenched fists are only good for striking out.
"Christ came with arms out and hands open. He is the only one who can heal us from racism and prejudice. We must be about our Father's business. It's about building churches, not burning them."
After Mr. Albrecht's sermon, Mr. May spoke about racism. He said the St. Petersburg Times asked him why the church conducts racial reconciliation seminars. He told them that "we are a ministry of reconciliation."
Mr. May shared with the audience his feelings about racism and some of his life experiences. "I was born in 1944, and my first 19 years in this world of segregation were full of limitations, restrictions and labels. We all knew how to keep our place. It was a matter of life and death in some circumstances."
Mr. May recommended the movie Ghosts of Mississippi. "It will help you understand the sense of powerlessness, aloneness and fears we experienced."
He continued: "Some say, but this is the 1990s. Not long ago I ended up in the wrong neighborhood while driving in Los Angeles. When I saw two police cars with flashing lights behind me I pulled over to let them pass.
"One pulled in front of me and the other behind me. An officer approached the car with a gun pointed at me. I was pulled out of the car and told to spread eagle. Then I was frisked. I know at least 20 other people who have experienced the same thing with the Los Angeles Police Department."
"When I met Jesus Christ in New York in 1963 when I was 19 years old," Mr. May said, "I made a covenant with him. I would get rid of the hatred. I have no right to hate anyone. We must all humbly come before Christ to get rid of racism. We did not choose him. He chose us."
Then Ms. Steinwender reminded the audience that there are no quick fixes to racism. "We will all make mistakes, many mistakes. For many of us we have held on to anger too long, and anger is destroying us."
On his way out of the theater, James Marshall of Bronson, Florida, said: "I knew I had to hear this. I hate to admit it, but I have some racist feelings. I need God's help to get rid of them."
The event received media coverage from the St. Petersburg Times and The Challenger and television stations 13 and 28.
Feb. 18, 1997, WN, page 1
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