Alka's Angle

Beloveds of God,

I am beyond words! I am sure by now you have heard many versions of what happened at the special called General Conference. Some of you perhaps followed the live stream, others may have followed social media interpretation of the proceedings. It has taken me a couple days to figure out what to say, because words seem to be inadequate to express the level of pain that was caused, and the harm that has been done! Personally, I feel embarrassed and ashamed to even claim to be part of this church that has loudly proclaimed, all over again, the message of unwelcome and exclusion.

So, where do we go from here?

I am writing to you from the conference floor, during the breaks. I wanted to give you an accurate and current glimpse of the moment.

Dr. Barbara Ransby is a historian, writer, and longtime political activist. She is a Professor of History; Gender and Women's Studies; and African American Studies and Director of Social Justice Initiative at the University of Illinois in Chicago. In her newest book, Making All Black Lives Matter: Reimagining Freedom in the 21st Century, she examines the BLM movement, discussing its roots and motivations, its politics and its future as part of what she calls a new Black Freedom movement.

Continuing our celebration of Black History Month, today I wish to lift up the name and story of Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler. At a  time when very few women worked outside of the home, Dr. Crumpler was saving lives. Earning her M.D. degree from New England Female Medical College in 1864, she was the only African-American person to earn a degree from the institution and the first African-American female physician in the United States.

Friends, we lifted up a few names of people who risked their lives while speaking up against the injustices they witnessed or experienced themselves. During this month I will share with you stories of persons whose stories are less known but their contributions were equally meaningful. One such name is Claudette Colvin -- a civil rights activist in Alabama during the 1950's.