Quaker Renewal Program Invites Community to Join Book Study on Quakers and African Americans
The Quaker Renewal Program (QRP) will sponsor a six-week long study of Vanessa Julye and Donna McDaniel’s provocative book Fit for Freedom, Not for Friendship: Quakers, African Americans and the Myth of Racial Justice, beginning Sept. 3.
Fit for Freedom, Not for Friendship reveals that racism has been as pervasive among Friends as among others of European descent, despite the historical involvement of area Quakers in emancipation, African American education and the Underground Railroad.
The book documents the spiritual and practical impact of discrimination in the Religious Society of Friends in the belief that understanding the truth of the past is vital to achieving a diverse, inclusive community in the future.
Study sessions will take place at New Garden Friends Meeting (located at 801 New Garden Road) from 7:30-9 p.m. on consecutive Thursdays from Sept. 3-Oct. 8. The program’s cost is a suggested donation of $10, not including the cost of the book.
The sessions will be led by members of the New Garden Friends Meeting and Guilford College staff. The book study is co-sponsored by Friends Center at Guilford College and the social concerns committee at New Garden Friends Meeting.
Julye will also present a public lecture on the book on Jan. 25, 2010.
For more information and to register for the study, call Friends Center at 336-316-2445.
The Quaker Renewal Program is offered by Friends Center in an ongoing effort to provide the wider community of Friends and others with opportunities to deepen faith through exploration of Quaker spirituality, history and testimony. Programs are provided throughout the year.
Sept. 1, 2009