Black Women for Positive Change (BW4PC) and a network of partners are asking faith leaders to deliver messages of non-violence during worship services Oct. 15–23, in recognition of the group’s fifth annual Week of Non-Violence, Justice and Opportunities Initiative. Suggested topics include anger management, conflict resolution and other matters related to preventing violence.
According to the organization’s website, BW4PC — a national advocacy organization of women and men from diverse backgrounds, generations and ethnicities — started the Week of Non-Violence in 2013 in response to the death of Trayvon Martin and numerous other violent tragedies based on racism, sexism and gang retribution.
“We’re not trying to dictate to faith leaders. Rather, we’re asking faith leaders to utilize weekly messages as important opportunities to highlight the ills of gun violence, extremism and hatred and how these things threaten to destroy the soul of our country,” said Diane Powell, chair of the Pittsburgh chapter of BW4PC.
BW4PC Chaplain Rev. Dr. Barbara Reynolds said, “I echo the prophetic words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. who said, ‘We have a choice today. Nonviolent coexistence or violent annihilation within and without our nation. This may be mankind’s last chance to choose between chaos and community.’ Nonviolence is not an option; it is a matter of life and death, the only way to put an end to the steady preaching of eulogies for those who died too soon or too young.”
For more information on ways to participate in Week of Non-Violence, visit 2017weekofnonviolence.org.
