‘I’m Not Racist, but …!’

By Mark Waters

Posted in Faith

Ordinarily when someone says the phrase ‘I’m Not Racist but …’ it is followed by a remark that highlights the ‘other.’

As part of Mark Waters’ work as State Manager of Reconciliation SA from 2010 onwards, he worked with ActNow, a youth theatre company, to design and deliver a program to combat racism in schools. Called ‘I’m Not Racist but …’ it challenged students to think about how they could change the script so that racist behaviour was called out and addressed.

On Thursday 4th July at 7.00 pm Mark is delivering the Progressive Christianity Forum lecture as part of a series which this year has followed the theme of ‘Critical Issues Facing the Future of Australia.’ Held at the Effective Living Centre, 26 King William Street, Wayville participants can attend in person or online (bookings are essential).

The Forum will look at ‘Racism. Who’s problem is it? What needs to be done to address it? What is our personal commitment and cost in combatting racism?

Mark, as Director of UnitingCare SA and a member of the Uniting Church Covenanting Committee will weave together the following themes:

  • The Christian message of reconciliation
  • Understanding race and racism in Australia
  • What reconciliation means in a post 2023 Referendum world
  • The special place of the Covenant that the Uniting Church in Australia has with the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress (especially as we celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the Covenant in South Australia on Saturday 6th July at Adelaide West Uniting Church.

With the presentation being held just before NAIDOC Week which commences with a church service at Pilgrim Uniting Church on Sunday. 7th July, the lecture will also touch upon the NAIDOC theme for 2024 of ‘Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud.’

Key questions being posed include ‘What identity do we celebrate in the Australian community?’ as well as ‘What do we stand to represent as a church and multicultural people?’

To book for this event, please visit: Progressive Christianity Forum – Mark Waters – Critical issues facing the future of Australia – EffectiveLivingCentre (ucasa.org.au)

 


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