CORR leads advocacy event

On July 21-22, the Commission on Religion & Race will present a jurisdiction-wide workshop in Oklahoma City to mobilize United Methodists to challenge discriminatory mass incarceration in the nation.

Guest speaker will be Michelle Alexander, author of "The New Jim Crow." Workshop participants are strongly urged to read the book before attending the July program, in the Meinders School of Business at Oklahoma City University.

"The purpose of this gathering is to help raise the social conscience of clergy and laity members to the millions of children and families impacted by" unjust incarceration rates, said Glenn Harris, CORR chairman.

The goal is to create a national "solidarity movement" for justice and provide resources for incarcerated persons as they re-enter society.

Harris listed these statistics from The Tulsa World.

1. Oklahoma has the highest rate of incarcerated women in the world.

2. Oklahoma ranks No. 4 in the United States for locking up men.

3. On any given day, more than 26,000 Oklahoma children have a parent in a state prison.

Theme for the CORR program is "A Christian Approach to the New Jim Crow—What’s Next? Rethink, Take Action, Live the Solution." Among others presenting will be Donna Thompson, director of Oklahoma Baptist State Prison Ministry; Michael Owens, director of the Ralph Ellison Library in Oklahoma City; and Elaine Robinson, dean of Saint Paul School of Theology at Oklahoma City University.

Saturday workshops include: "White Privilege," "Mass Incarceration/Immigration," "The Old Jim Crow vs. The New Jim Crow," and "Solidarity Mobilization."

Sunday activities: Breakfast with the author, community worship at OKC-Quayle UMC with guest preacher Donald Gilliard of South Carolina, and advocacy training sponsored by the General Board of Church & Society and Midwest Academy in Chicago.

To sign up, contact the United Methodist Ministry Center, 405-530-2000. Registration includes a copy of the book.