MANSFIELD — Due to firm opposition, activists are now stepping back their verbiage and modifying a resolution (Bill #20-123) to get consensus from City Council. The changes come after recent fraudulent claims of support from the faith community.
After originally declaring systemic racism as a public health emergency, the revised resolution now expresses only a “strong belief” systemic racism against persons of color, causes social problems and health disparities in persons of color. No matter the changes, the resolution is still facing stiff criticism from the black faith community.
(Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio)
Reverend El Akuchie is Pastor at Godsfield House of Prayer and Executive Director of the Richland Community Prayer Network. He believes the resolution is not needed locally and is only part of the national Black Lives Matter (BLM) political movement.
“To state systemic racism is causing disparate health outcomes is not being honest. The Minority Health Fair has been an outreach going on for many years. The local health department also conducted a health survey which many chose not to participate in. After all the changes and revisions, the bill still does not define systemic racism nor provide local examples of systemic racism.”
For example, the resolution states systemic racism “causes” high rates of homelessness in communities of color. With a total of sixty-five persons recorded in Richland County as homeless, no cases were cited in the resolution of persons of color forced out of their homes because they were black. This would be a violation of the 1964 Civil Rights Act.
(Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio)
While supporters of Bill #20-123 claim the resolution has nothing to do with defunding the police, Elder Moe Hill of Grace Evangelical Free Church questions why this is not explicitly stated in the resolution.
“I do not want any part of this resolution if it leads to defunding the police. I adamantly oppose that.”
According to Elder Hill, “The root cause of racism is sin not skin. Society will continue having these issues until we finally seek Bible-based solutions. They (BLM) are tearing down God-ordained institutions like the family, the church, and the government and it is not for the betterment of the nation.”
Pastor Floyd Allen of Philippian Community Church believes many of the social problems and health disparities are linked to the breakdown of the family, more specifically the lack of participation of fathers. This is in direct contrast with the pro-LGBT Black Lives Matter movement which has publicly committed to disrupting the Western-prescribed nuclear family structure.
“Marriage is the greatest weapon against child-poverty,” says Pastor Allen. “Ephesians 6:2-4 says to ‘Honor thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with a promise; That it may be well with thee, and that thou may live long on the earth.’ In other words, it takes a father and mother to help bring success to a child.”
Studies indicate children from single-parent homes can be twice as likely to have emotional and behavioral problems as are children living with both parents. Children living in single-parent families also have lower math and science scores than children in two-parent families. In addition, married persons have the lowest incidences of diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease.
(Photo courtesy of Frontlines Ohio)
“Just because a negative outcome exists does not mean it is correlated to race,” Reverend Akuchie points out. “White Americans have higher suicide rates and higher rates of cystic fibrosis and is that because of racism against whites? The resolution cites statistics and leaps to conclusions about adverse social and health outcomes. The only leap I am willing to take is a leap of faith in God’s Word. This issue is spiritual and deals with the heart, period.”
Pastor Allen adds, “‘I am reminded of the Scripture that says ‘Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of Hosts.’ This is what the LORD would want our nation to do.”
View the video below produced by the Heritage Foundation discussing how the family is the building block of civilization.
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