Advocacy Committee for Racial Ethnic Concerns (ACREC)
Called to be “... doers of the word and not merely hearers ...” (James 1:22a)
ACREC maintains a strong prophetic witness to the church as an advocate for people of color, monitoring existing and emerging issues in the church and society as they impact our constituent communities. Issues include, but are not limited to, civil rights, racial justice, economic justice, public education, law enforcement, health care, employment, housing, immigration rights and environmental justice.
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Rev. Joo Kim’s reflections on Trump commentary
Open Letter to Donald Trump Regarding Islamophobia
ACREC Responds to Donald Trump’s statements
The Advocacy Committee for Racial Ethnic Concerns (ACREC) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A) rejects the racist and hateful remarks made by the Republican presidential candidate, Donald Trump, which were offensive to all people, including new immigrants to the U.S. and especially people of Mexico and South America/Latin America, and those of Middle Eastern descent.
On June 16th, 2015, Mr. Trump announced his candidacy with an insulting and derogatory speech against people for their ethnic identity and discriminating against citizens, residents, and workers in the U.S. based on their racial background, condemning them as criminals and unwelcomed. He said, "Mexico is not our friend... When Mexico sends its people, they’re not sending their best . . . They’re sending people that have a lot of problems, and they’re bringing those problems with us [sic]. They’re bringing drugs… they’re bringing crime. They’re rapists. And some, I assume, are good people.” He also affirmed, “It’s coming from more than Mexico; it’s coming from all over South and Latin America, and it’s coming probably… probably from the Middle East.” (1)
The vicious attack through the insulting words of Mr. Trump against immigrants from Mexico, Latin America, and the Middle East are not only unacceptable but are rooted in hateful and racist stereotypes that are unacceptable and illegal in our society. His words are not only pejorative, promoting xenophobia against non-white racial and ethnic groups in our country, but also extortionist for funding of political campaign and incendiary in exploiting this racialized nation. Criminal acts can be perpetrated by all people of any particular ethnic, cultural, and national origin. We also know that The United States of America is home to the original native peoples and nations and has become home also to non-native immigrant populations since the fifteenth century, including Mr. Trump and his ancestors.
As Christians who proclaim a gospel of justice, equality, and love and believe in the Imago Dei in every human being, we continue to call on all people to confess the sins of racism, hate, and discrimination. We urge in particular citizens of the United States to reject racism, including white supremacy and false notions of entitlement and privilege.
We also call on the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to confess the same sins and live out the reconciling love and communion of all saints in the unity of the Church, and as faithful disciples to continue to seek a just peace with equal rights and dignity for all.
(1) https://youtu.be/3t2MV9IQClU
ACREC Responds to the Verdict in Ferguson
The Advocacy Committee for Racial Ethnic Concerns expresses deep concern and holy outrage at the verdict given in the aftermath of the killing of Michael Brown. We lament that justice was denied for Michael Brown, his family, and the citizens of the U.S., especially people of color. A justice system that fails to indict a white officer standing trial for killing an unarmed 18-year-old black youth perpetuates the sin of racism in a society that fails to affirm that black lives matter...
An Open Letter from ACREC on the 221st General Assembly's Divestment Action
It is with deep concern that we, the members of the Advocacy Committee for Racial Ethnic Concerns, have recognized Israel’s practices and actions against the Palestinian people, both Christians and Muslims, and Israel’s physical changes to the land and infrastructure of the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and its blockade and aerial bombardment of the Gaza Strip constitute (as defined by the 2002 Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (RSICC)) elements of crimes against humanity...
Read the full letter
ACREC 2013-2014 Meeting Summaries
The Advocacy Committee for Racial Ethnic Concerns uses its regularly scheduled meetings to explore a wide range of topics of special interest to the committee and its work. ACREC is committed to and has participated in Anti-Racism and Cultural Proficiency training at each of its meetings. The committee also hears and responds to reports at each meeting from all of the caucus/council/coordinating committee representatives and liaisons to and from other groups. At each meeting in Louisville, ACREC connects with the Executive Director of the Presbyterian Mission Agency, the Director of Racial Ethnic and Women’s Ministries/Presbyterian Women, the Associate for Gender and Racial Justice, and the Racial Ethnic Leadership Development Manager, when possible.
January 2014 Louisville, KY
January 2013 Louisville, KY
220th General Assembly (2012)
All of ACREC’s reports and resolutions and to the 220th General Assembly (2012) were approved, though some with edits. Learn more about them here:
A Resolution on Racism, Incarceration and Restoration
A Resolution to Recognize the Call to Prophetic Witness in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
Learn about issues
- Criminal Justice
- Cultural Proficiency
- Electoral Reform
- Fair Food
- Immigrant Rights
- Racial Ethnic Farmers/Ranchers
- Racism
- Reparations
