Racism: Its Real (Unite Rochester Essay) By the Reverend James C. Simmons, Senior Pastor of Baber A.M.E.

Church and Chairman of Rise Up Rochester, Inc. In 1964 the United States Congress passed the Civil Rights Act that banned major forms of discrimination against racial, ethnic, national and religious minorities, and women. Coupled with the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and other legislation, outright and blatant racism was abolished. In effect, these two acts eliminated laws historically known as Jim Crow Laws. The enforcement of civil rights legislation; however, did not change preconceived prejudices and attitudes towards race. The absence of internal transformation only forced Jim Crow to find other institutional and systematic methods to spread his hatred that persist even today. General Colin Powells recent comments concerning, the dark vein of intolerance and racial-era slave terms remind this nation that racism is still alive and well. Indeed, I can share stories about being followed in stores, pulled over for driving while black, and women clutching their purses in my presence. As the product of a small, conservative town, I can speak of the Klan parading in front of my church, holding rallies in the town square, and distributing literature that identify black men as monkeys and coons. As a pastor, I often hear the pain of persons that are last hired and first fired, skipped for promotions, and deal with trauma from living in economically depressed and deprived neighborhoods. Yes, racism is alive and well. I embrace Unite Rochesters mission to promote awareness about racial issues and to find new ways to work together to solve community problems. I welcome the opportunity to voice opinions, insights, and solutions concerning the issues of race and economic disparities in Rochester. I pray you too will accept this challenge.