Glencoe Rallies for Racial Justice
By Rev. Dwayne A. Gary, 4th Episcopal District
On June 7, 2020, the Glencoe Clergy Association, led by the Rev. Dwayne A. Gary of St. Paul AME Church, organized a peaceful protest in memory of George Floyd and countless other African Americans who have lost their lives as a result of systemic injustice. Glencoe Public Safety estimates that between 400-450 cars participated in the rally that traveled single-file through the community past each of the village’s churches and synagogues and ended with a program in the parking lot of North Shore Congregation Israel (NSCI). Although residents were encouraged to stay in their vehicles to reduce any potential COVID-19 exposure, caravan members enthusiastically honked their approval to bystanders waving signs of support for the rally. After arriving at the NSCI, the program was streamed to each participating car and others via Facebook Live.
Rabbi Ryan Daniels from NSCI welcomed the group and announced that the Glencoe Clergy Association members present would take a knee during an eight-minute and 46 second period of silence to honor of Floyd’s life and others who have been killed at the hands of police.
Mrs. Exeter Johansson provided an acapella rendition of “Lean on Me.” Rally participants gave sustained honks of approval.
Mrs. Rocki Hunter talked about growing up as an African American in Glencoe, a village where only one percent of the population is black. She recalled several incidents. One was when she spoke of her fear when called by her husband on a Sunday night in the spring of 2017, when while driving and doing nothing wrong, he was pulled over and was surrounded by four other police cars. He called to tell her if he didn’t make it home, “the police did it.”
Rocki told the assembled crowd that when she walks into a store, no one sees how many degrees she has or how hard she works or what she contributes to the community. All they see is a black woman with a black husband and black kids. In some cases that is enough to pose a potentially deadly threat.
Racism exists in Glencoe and everywhere else. Until it is acknowledged by speaking up when it happens and standing up for systemic change, it will keep happening.
She ended her remarks by telling people they could do three things to help: educate by learning about black history and white privilege, donate to causes that fight police brutality and work for systemic change, and speak up about reporting unfair and unjust treatment.
The Rev. Dr. Barbara Javore offered a prayer. She adapted it from a poem Maya Angelou’s “And Still I Rise.”
The final reflection at the rally was delivered by Pastor Gary. St. Paul is the only Black church in Glencoe; and at 135-years old, it is one of the oldest African American churches in the northern suburbs of Chicago. After thanking the organizers and volunteers, Pastor Gary began to educate the crowd on two different perspectives of the modern African American experience. Some remembered the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s and those who are now experiencing the Black Lives Matter movement of the 2020s.
Two different generations have fought the same battle. The difference, however, is that those in the Civil Rights movement did see some progress and victory. They saw integrated schools, restaurants, neighborhoods, bathrooms, and some social and economic opportunities. Pastor Gary reminded everyone that thus far, the Black Lives Matter movement has seen only defeat. Unarmed Black men continue to be gunned down by police officers who face no criminal charges and are not held accountable for their actions. This amounts to nothing more than street lynchings.
Pastor Gary spoke about being a Black man in his early 50s and having experienced firsthand racism in education, social situations, and his personal life in Glencoe. When he sees the news and people talk about white supremacy today, it is not a rope but a knee on a Black man’s neck. The Black Lives Matter movement brings awareness to the fight for justice based on violence to the African American community.
He urged everyone to push together with one common goal: justice, saying it ought to be a verb instead of a noun. Justice is an ongoing work that must be done.
He announced that the Glencoe Clergy Association had decided upon four commitments to help move toward systemic change. First, to enter into an immediate process of anti-racism work in each congregational community. Second, to engage elected officials and civic leaders in an ongoing and honest discussion on historical and current institutional failures with the expectation of achieving meaningful change and equal treatment on a systemic level for the African American community in our village. Third, to push for voter registration and get people out to vote in November. Fourth, to redouble efforts to strengthen the bonds between community congregations through programs, gatherings, actions, and meaningful dialogue.
Pastor Gary reminded everyone that “these commitments are not the solution to the problems of racism in our society. They are a step in the right direction, we hope, and the beginning of a genuine, outward realization of the Biblical decree: ‘Justice, Justice, shall you pursue!’” He then led everyone in a chorus of “We Shall Overcome” and cars left with the hope that maybe this time, things can change.
Attached photos
Photo 1: Glencoe Clergy Association members at the rally (from left): Cantor Andrea
Markowicz from Am Shalom, Rabbi Steven Lowenstein from Am Shalom (kneeling), the Rev. Dr. Barbara Javore from North Shore United Methodist Church, Rabbi Bruce Elder from
Congregation Hakafa, the Rev. Dwayne Gary from St. Paul AME Church (kneeling), the Rev. Kevin Goodman from St. Elisabeth’s Church, Rabbi Wendi Geffen from North Shore Congregation Israel, Cantor David Goldstein from North Shore Congregation Israel, and Rabbi Ryan Daniels from North Shore Congregation Israel
Photo 2: Cars in the Glencoe Caravan for Racial Justice
Photo 3: Supporters outside St. Paul AME Church
Photo 4: Supporters lining the caravan route
Photo 5: Rocki Hunter delivers her message to the rally crowd
Photo 6: The Rev. Dwayne Gary reflects on the meaning of Black Lives Matter
Photo 7: Cars line the parking lot of North Shore Congregation Israel during the rally program
