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ESCRU Members Burn Racist Educational Materials

Diocesan Press Service. February 25, 1969 [74-23]

NEW YORK, N.Y. -- Ash Wednesday was the time. The Episcopal Church Center the place. The event was a burning of educational materials used in Church schools and sponsored by the Episcopal Society for Cultural and Racial Unity.

After displaying a copy of "Fun and Festivals in Africa," Lenten materials produced by Friendship Press and recommended by the Executive Council for Lenten study, seven white robed figures began what was described as a "mock liturgy. "

They read as a litany a White Manifesto, answered questions, and finally burned the material. The ashes were then used for the imposition of ashes on participants and by-standers.

The Rev. A.R. Dreisbach, executive director of ESCRU, told those present that the materials were burned "to symbolize the destruction of the heresy of racism in Church school materials and the resurrection of a new life in the body of Christ's Church. The ashes of the burned paper, placed on the foreheads of the participants, is a sign of the new day Christ wills."

Also supporting the demonstration were the Episcopal Churchmen for South Africa and the National Committee of Black Clergymen.