Overview
The African-American constituency of the UM church currently makes up around 5% of the overall membership (lay and clergy), 6% of total clergy membership and 5% of total laity membership. Membership data is based on local church report forms collected by the General Council on Finance and Administration.
African-Americans are represented in every segment of the Church at the local, district, jurisdictional and general church levels. However, Black women continue to struggle for true inclusiveness. There have been significant improvements regarding cross-racial appointments, appointments of district superintendents, conference staff, general church executives, growth and quality of leadership, and training and follow-through. GCORR continues to monitor accomplishments and challenges in annual conferences and to make necessary recommendations for improvement.
Selected Bibliography
Burton, M. Garlinda, NEVER SAY NIGGER AGAIN! An Antiracism Guide for White Liberals. Nashville: James C. Winston, (1995).
Chideya, Farai, DON'T BELIEVE THE HYPE: Fighting Cultural Misinformation about African-Americans. New York: Penguin Books, (1995).
Christian, Charles and Bennett, Sari: THE AFRICAN AMERICAN EXPERIENCE (1995)
Giovanni, Nikki, RACISM 101. New York: William Morrow & Co., (1994).
Mabunda, L. Mpha (ed.), THE AFRCIAN AMERICAN ALMANAC, 7th ed. (1997)
Newman, Richard and Sawyer, Marcia: EVERYBODY SAY FREEDOM: Everything You Need to Know About African-American History (1996)
Shockley, Grant S., editor. HERITAGE AND HOPE: THE AFRICAN AMERICAN PRESENCE IN UNITED METHODISM. Nashville, TN, Abingdon Press, (1991).
Stewart, Jeffrey, 1001 THINGS EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY (1996)
Thomas, James. METHODISM'S RACIAL DILEMMA: THE STORY OF THE CENTRAL JURISDICTION. Nashville, TN, Abingdon Press, (1992).
Williams, Michael (ed.), THE AFRICAN AMERICAN ENCYCLOPEDIA, 6 vol. (1993), and a supplement ed. by Kibibi Voloria Mack, 2 vol. (1997),
Books for Young People
Cassie's Colorful Day, by Faith Ringgold
Young children will follow Cassie as she dresses up in her yellow-and-red polka dot dress, purple shoes, and green pocketbook, then heads to the ice cream parlor for her favorite treat--a pink strawberry sundae! Ages 0-4.
The Sweet and Sour Animal Book
Twenty six poems by Langston Hughes give children lessons on the alphabet and the animal kingdom. Ages 4-8.
Rodeo-Ridin' Cowboy, Bill Pickett
A true story about the most famous black rodeo performer. Ages 4-8.
Something Beautiful, by Sharon Dennis Wyeth
This is the inspiring story of a young girl's search for beauty in her violence-torn neighborhood. Ages 5-8.
John Henry
The story of how folk hero John Henry and his sledgehammer raced a steam drill through a mountain. Ages 4-8.
Wilma Unlimited: How Wilma Rudolph Became the World's Fastest Woman
Athlete Wilma Rudolph overcomes polio to win three gold medals at the Olympics. Ages 9-12..
Kidnapped Prince; The Life of Olaudah Equiano, by Olaudah Equiano
This is a gripping tale of a young African boy's odyssey of betrayal, cruelty, and courage. Ages 10-13.
Night John, by Gary Paulsen
After he escaped to freedom in the north, Nightjohn returns to slavery to teach other enslaved people how to read. Ages 12 and up.
The Middle Passage: White Ships, Black Cargo
An account of the brutal trip made by slaves from Africa to the Americas. Ages 12 and up.
