The Manchester Branch of the NAACP hosted a community forum Saturday, June 7, 2008 at the Radisson Hotel,Manchester NH – 12:00 pm until 3:00pm. The focus of the conversation was on Race, The Church & Politics – reviewing excerpts of the Rev. Jeremiah Wright Jr. sermons, and other current information on the subject matter. We discussed the relationship of the Black community and The Church highlighting the impact Race has on the 2008 Presidential Election.

Confirmed forum panelist included: Rev. Christopher Emerson of the First Congregational Church in Manchester NH, Rev. Bertha Perkins of New Fellowship Baptist Church in Nashua NH, Mrs. Inez Bishop former President of the Manchester Branch NAACP and Professor Zane Knoy, Current Member of the Executive Committee of the Manchester Branch. The panel will be moderated by Mr. David Lamarre-Vincent, Executive Director NH Council of Churches. Community stakeholders joined with the NAACP members in this dialogue to help eliminate racial division.

There were articles about the recent comments of pastors associated with both Senator McCain and Senator Obama. The excellent packet of materials also included comments by Condoleza Rice, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright sermon after 9/11, the Obama speech on raith and politics,

 

This was a signal event in sharing in charity and love one another's experiences. Voices of early African-American residents of Manchester, recent African-American arrivals, young adults, Native American, Sudanese refugee, state representatives and white residents of the Greater Manchester Area were heard.

 

The churches of New Hampshire are being urged by their denominations to provide 'sacred space' for continuing conversations regarding race, white priviledge and immigration.