Washington Inter-Racial Committee Finds Pervasive Racism
Diocesan Press Service. January 23, 1970 [83-7]
WASHINGTON, D. C. -- A 24-member inter-racial committee created in the Diocese of Washington to investigate the state of race relations in the Diocese has concluded that "racism pervades the life of the Episcopal Church in the community both blatantly and insidiously. "
The Diocese of Washington includes the District of Columbia and a few Maryland counties.
In presenting the report, the committee chairman, Dr. Carroll L. Miller, dean of the Howard University Graduate School, said:
"We recognize that much that is racist in the Diocese is practiced unconsciously and, when evident, is repugnant to most Episcopalians. But exist it does, and we will hasten to eliminate this part of Diocesan life and practice. "
The committee reported finding "overwhelming" evidence of racism in the Church's missionary work, its cathedral parish membership, employment practices, school enrollment and attitudes of individual priests.
The report noted that the District's population is more than 70 percent black, but that only 30 percent of the city's Episcopalians are Negro.
A series of recommendations called for elimination of "racial discrimination, segregation, persecution and (racial) domination" in the Church.