AARA

Healing Grace – Ministry of Information: Resources for Interested Faith Leaders

A List of Website Resources to Help Continue the Dialogue on The Black Church, Stigma, Prejudice and Homophobia

VESSELS Vote

VESSELS are people of faith -- clergy, pastors, ministry and community leaders, men, women and young adults -- firmly committed to increasing civic participation in communities that traditionally have been disenfranchised or discriminated against.

African American Ministers in Action Urge Gov. Perry to Denounce Divisive Rhetoric of ‘The Response’ Sponsors

People For the American Way’s African American Ministers in Action, a nationwide network of African American clergy, urge Texas Gov. Rick Perry to make sure his Response rally brings communities of faith together with prayer, rather than creating divisions based on fear and intolerance.

African American Ministers Support the DREAM Act

Today, Sen. Richard Durbin (D-IL) held a hearing on the DREAM Act, a bill that would allow access to affordable postsecondary education, opportunities for military service and potentially a path to full citizenship to thousands of qualified young students striving for a better future.

African American Ministers In Action Urge Jacksonville Voters to Reject Daniels’ Divisive Rhetoric

On May 17, voters in Jacksonville, Florida will face a runoff city council election. The Democratic candidate, Kimberly Daniels, has repeatedly made denigrating statements regarding religious and sexual minorities and has for years allied herself with the extreme fringe of the religious right.

African American Clergy Condemn Vote to Repeal Health Care Reform

Today, the House of Representatives voted to repeal the comprehensive health care reform bill passed in the last Congress. Members of People For the American Way’s African American Ministers in Action, a nationwide multi-denominational group of progressive African American clergy, voiced the following reactions to the vote:

African American Ministers in Action Reacts to Sinking of DREAM Act

In a 55 to 41 vote today, the Senate rejected an attempt to move forward on consideration of the DREAM Act, which would lay out a path to citizenship for young adults who were brought to the United States illegally as children, and who graduate from high school with the commitment to attend college or join the military.

African American Ministers in Action Responds to Senate’s Vote on Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Repeal

The Senate today ended the filibuster of a bill that creates a path toward repeal of the discriminatory Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy.

Leslie Watson Malachi, Director of African American Ministers in Action, said:

“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell denies thousands of men and women in uniform the dignity of serving their country openly and honestly, and the comfort of acknowledging their loved ones. These brave and patriotic Americans deserve better.

AARA Calendar of Events

AARA calendar of events.

Books, Articles, and Organizations for Progress

Books, articles, organizations and other resources for progress.

Books and Articles

Civic Participation and Community Progress

Alinsky, Saul. Rules for Radicals. New York: Vintage, 1989.

Cannon, Mae Elise. Social Justice Handbook. IVP Books, 2009.

Franklin, Robert M. Crisis in the Village: Restoring Hope in African American Communities. Fortress Press, 2007.

Gomes, Peter. The Good Book: Reading the Bible with Mind and Heart.

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Statement from Leslie Watson Malachi on Alveda King

Leslie Watson Malachi, Director of People For the American Way Foundation's African American Ministers Leadership Council, said, "Alveda King claims that, in fighting to deny women the freedom to make choices over our own bodies and to deny rights to gay and lesbian Americans, she carries on her uncle's legacy. We know better. African American women across the country are working to advance the values of freedom, equality, and justice, fighting for reproductive choice and the freedom of all people to marry.

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Statement of Rev. Byron Williams on Proposition 8 Decision

A federal judge in California today overturned Proposition 8, the state's law that prohibits gay people from marrying.

Reverend Byron Williams, pastor, columnist, a member of People For the American Way Foundation's African American Ministers In Action, and editor of the forthcoming book, Inconvenient Love African American Clergy and Theologians Speaking on Behalf of LGBT Equality, stated:

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African American Ministers in Action Statement on Arizona Immigration Decision

A federal judge today blocked some of the some of the most controversial provisions in the draconian anti-immigrant law Arizona’s governor signed into law in April.

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AAMIA and AAMLC Statement on the President’s Remarks on Immigration Reform

The African American Ministers Leadership Council (AAMLC) of People For the American Way Foundation, and African American Ministers in Action (AAMIA) of People For the American Way, congratulate President Obama on his thoughtful remarks yesterday on immigration

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Rev. Womack on the March 21 Immigration Rally

PFAWF's Rev. Dr. Rolen Womack invites participants to an immigration rally held on March 21, 2010.

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DC Council Gives Preliminary Approval to Marriage Equality Legislation

The D.C. City Council today voted 11-2 to approve legislation that would allow same-sex couples to be married in the District of Columbia. The legislation will be voted on again in two weeks, at which time it will be sent to Mayor Adrian Fenty, who has promised to sign it.

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Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Samuel Statement on the Upcoming Vote on the DC Marriage Bill

As the DC Council prepares to vote on a bill granting equal marriage rights to gay and lesbian Americans, Rev. Kenneth L. Samuel, Senior Pastor of Victory For the World Church in Atlanta and Senior Fellow of People For the American Way, said, "The DC Council now has such a momentous opportunity to prove to the nation that marriage equality is indeedthe next step toward full equality for all citizens."

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Right Wing "Manhattan Declaration" Sidesteps Moral Call to Protect All People

Reverend Timothy McDonald, Founder of the African American Ministers Leadership Council and Board Member of People For the American Way Foundation, said in response to the release by right wing leaders of the so-called "Manhattan Declaration,"Pretending that all moral questions can be boiled down to two hot button issues profoundly misrepresents the moral questions Christians encounter in America today."

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Obama Signs Hate Crimes Legislation into Law

Today, President Obama signed into law the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act. The legislation will extend important protections to victims of violent hate crimes committed based on a person's actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and/or disability. It also strengthens existing hate crimes protections for a variety of other categories, including race, color, religion, national origin and ethnicity.

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