Bishop calls for racial justice

During a demonstration last week at the State Capitol to protest racism, Bishop Howard J. Hubbard commented on the shooting of Sonya Thompson (see related story that begins on page 1):

"I join with all those assembled here this morning to express shock, disgust and moral outrage at the apparent hate-inspired actions of two white Rotterdam men in hunting down and shooting Sonya Thompson allegedly because she was Afro-American. Any violence toward a defenseless and innocent person is an offense against God and humanity. It tramples upon the sacred and inviolable dignity of the human person, and it breaks the social compact which is the foundation of a civilized society.

"However, attacking a person solely because of his or her race, religion, ethnicity, nationality or sexual orientation is particularly heinous, rooted as it is in the irrational fear of the unknown or the different, or in the demonization of the 'other' as being subhuman. Such maniacal thinking and behavior must be repudiated in the strongest terms possible.

"While racism is a disease which is deeply ingrained within our society and continues to rear its ugly head in both subtle and blatant forms, until all the facts are known, I choose to believe that [this] atrocity is not indicative of the pulse of our community but the product of youthful immaturity ignorant of history and of the lack of understanding of the consequences of one's behavior, or some type of alcohol- or drug-induced insanity. In other words, I am suggesting that we should not make of this chilling incident either more than it is or less than it is.

"However, in light of the prejudice-induced murders of James Byrd in Jasper, Texas, and Matthew Shephard in Laramie, Wyoming, earlier this year, and the echoes of Crown Heights and Howard Beach, this apparent racially motivated attack in Arbor Hill must be denounced vehemently by the entire community, and by its political, social and religious leaders, lest the impression be created that there is even so much as a smidgen of tolerance for such egregious, outlaw behavior.

"Therefore, as religious leaders representing the various faith traditions in our community, we are unanimous and unambiguous in condemning the morally repugnant shooting of Sonya Thompson and pray for her speedy and full recovery.

"Furthermore, we are committed to seize upon this disturbing incident as an opportunity to renew and intensify our efforts to rid our community of the insidious evil of racism and to foster a greater climate of understanding, trust, healing and reconciliation in our Capital District Community.

"May every man, woman and child, then, join in solidarity with those of us gathered on these Capitol steps today in condemning [this] mindless and senseless attack, in calming fears, and in working for racial peace and harmony."