The Acts of Convention

House of Deputies

The House of Deputies Committee on Social Justice and United States Policy presented its Report #35 on Resolution A183 (Recommended Book Study of the Triennium: "The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness" by Michelle Alexander (2010/2012)) and moved adoption with amendment.

Original Text of Resolution:

(A183)

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 78th General Convention of The Episcopal Church encourage all parishes, missions, and Dioceses of The Episcopal Church to commit to studying “mass incarceration” as one of the most pressing social justice issues of our time and in particular consider using the New York Times bestseller, “The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Color Blindness” by Michelle Alexander as a common text; and be it further

Resolved, That The Church identify staff who make available on The Episcopal website book study and discussion guides, print and video resource materials, and links to relevant websites.

Committee Amendment:

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 78th General Convention of the Episcopal Church encourage all parishes, missions, and Diocesesdioceses, congregations, schools, and other faith communities of The Episcopal Church over the next triennium to commit to studying “mass incarceration” as one of the most pressing social justice issues of our time, “mass incarceration,” and be it further

Resolved, That dioceses, congregations, schools, and other faith communitiesand in particular consider using the New York Times bestseller, “The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Color Blindness” by Michelle Alexander as a common text that invites the people of The Episcopal Church into engagement; and be it further

Resolved, That Convention acknowledge that each Diocese in the U.S. and in the other 16 countries of The Episcopal Church may have different circumstances and disparities in the imprisonment of its racial and ethnic minorities when compared to its dominant population and therefore should adapt this triennial study to its unique circumstances by identifying and developing additional resources to address same, be it further

Resolved, That Tthe Church identify staff who make availableinstruct the DFMS Justice and Advocacy Ministry Team and the DFMS Diversity Ministry Team to work together to compile and distribute to Dioceses and make easily accessible on The Episcopal Church website booka tool kit of relevant study and discussion guides; print, and video, and Internet resource materials, and links to relevant websites ; and other information.

Motion carried

Resolution adopted with amendment

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #270)