A collaboration among three local social justice and equality-oriented groups, including a relatively new one, are speaking out against racial and ethnic hatred and gun and related violence nationwide.
The groups are the African American Pastors Alliance, the Columbus/Bartholomew County Area NAACP Branch and a newer group called the Justice Resource Center of Columbus Indiana, which works for justice for people about everything from housing to employment.
In the past, the pastors alliance and the NAACP also worked alongside the Black Lives Matter of Columbus chapter before it disbanded last year.
The representatives of these groups say they want to stem the tide of hate speech and more “before it becomes a problem” locally, according to the Rev. Mike Harris of the African American Pastors Alliance.
That group of Christian ministers at area churches has worked to create change in local education, law enforcement, media and other arenas over the past few years. They have done so by regularly meeting with area leaders to build relationships gradually in order to have a base to work from when challenges or obstacles arise in Bartholomew County.
The group, currently six members, formed about 15 years ago to address problems faced by local minority and other residents.
The alliance’s focus is built on the belief “that all people have a right to an equitable share of a beneficent society,” said the Rev. David Bosley, one of the members.
“We didn’t feel like we needed to say anything (about all this) 15 years ago,” Harris said. “But we do feel like we need to now.”
In the past several years, Harris has been outspoken about local pockets of prejudice and racism during public remarks at Martin Luther King Jr. Day breakfasts, and a variety of faith-oriented gatherings. He said standing up for equality among all races and ethnicities is key the the pastors alliance, the NAACP and the Justice Resource Center.
“It’s critical to us because we live here,” Harris said. “ … And within the context of national issues going on now, Columbus is an example to others of how we all should work together. Think about it. It’s a perfect example of how the nation should work together.
“And yet people seem to be basing everything on the color of people’s skin and not the content of their character. I (instead) like the content of a person’s character.”
Olisa Humes is president of the local NAACP.
“I think the goal of all three of these organizations is to be proactive,” Humes said. “We don’t want to be on the ‘other side’ of things (being reactive). Because the other side could turn ugly.”
The Rev. Fred King is the newest member of the pastors alliance.
“It’s in all our best interests to work together,” King said. “Because we all have skin in the game.”
The pastors and Humes mentioned that the alliance and the NAACP already have been attending each other’s meetings for some time to work together on issues. They added that they will begin regularly keeping in touch with minister Phil Murray, the leader of the new Justice Resource Center.
Harris emphasized that building bridges in the community — and speaking out — is crucial before a crisis or controversy erupts.
“If I don’t have a relationship with you (before a problem arises), then things usually are going to be negative,” Harris said. “That’s just human nature. But if there’s a relationship (already) built, that means we can find some kind of common ground. And we’re always about finding common ground with others.
“The other thing we do really well is that we work to avert a problem before there’s a (bigger) problem.”
Murray, who acknowledged that he has seen race-related issues locally such as vehicles displaying a Confederate flag, said he is optimistic about three groups working alongside one another.
“I see a community coming together,” Murray said.
