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Black Lives Matter
Bound together in our shared belief that every person is created equal in the eyes of God, Mothers’ Union has worked for over 140 years towards the vision of a world where God’s love is shown through loving, respectful and flourishing relationships, for everyone.
10 Jun 2020
Since the tragic death of George Floyd, we encourage our members to continue to reflect, pray and unite to help find a peaceful, compassionate and lasting solution to end racism, wherever it is found.
We have and always will stand in solidarity with all who face discrimination of any form. As a membership movement of 4 million around the world, we stand again in unity and support for an end to everyday injustice and deeper systemic racism.
We asked our staff, trustees and members to share their experience of racism and their perspectives on the Black Lives Matter movement.
Sarah Namusobya, Mothers’ Union Individual Giving Fundraising Manager, UK
"I want to create a world where my children will have equal opportunities with their peers despite the colour of their skin. I want my children to be taught the history that will enable them to understand that racism is wrong and not only the history that glorifies the perpetuators. Tokenism is no longer enough to justify institutional racism, which today is the modern form of racism.
Of course, all lives matter but, like Extinction Rebellion, Me Too, Feminism, LGBTQ and women’s suffrage to name a few... Black Lives Matters is a global social movement. A movement to end all forms of racism particularly towards the black community that has been rife for many decades across the world and not only in the U.S.A. A movement to end a system of racism, that has to its grandest scale left what should be the world’s richest continent to date, the poorest (Africa).
The point is, every movement, past and present has and continues to play an important role in improving the quality of life for all humanity. If it was not for the women’s suffrage movement, women would not have the vote now. So, instead of focusing on the movement Black Lives Matter, focus on the true meaning behind the movement and the future it advocates for all and it’s only then you will truly understand that black lives matter.
Until then, please don’t discount the #blacklivesmatter with all lives matter. If you do, you are also discounting all the incredible movements past and present, that gave us all a future."
Annie Beckley, Mothers’ Union member in USA
"Systemic injustices in the USA is long overdue for meaningful reform. The mistrust between law enforcement and the communities they were sworn to protect has in itself become a pandemic towards minorities.
"Systemic injustices in the USA is long overdue for meaningful reform. The mistrust between law enforcement and the communities they were sworn to protect has in itself become a pandemic towards minorities.
Therefore, until all stakeholders come together and listen to each other with meaningful dialogues and enact legislation that will end all forms of discrimination, the problem will remain unsolved.
That’s the frustration that’s driving the current unrest. I am hoping that with the recent developments all over the world, the legislators will listen and enact laws to guarantee equality for everyone under the law and bring lasting peace. As a minority, this is my ardent hope."
Thembsie Mchunu, Mothers’ Union Zonal Trustee, South Africa
"When I read the stories and watched videos of the brutality and murder that is happening to African Americans especially George Floyd, may his soul rest in peace, I am deeply saddened. I am sad because a family is robbed of a child and a bread winner, which will also escalate the hatred in heart born to love.
"When I read the stories and watched videos of the brutality and murder that is happening to African Americans especially George Floyd, may his soul rest in peace, I am deeply saddened. I am sad because a family is robbed of a child and a bread winner, which will also escalate the hatred in heart born to love.
I am angry at the injustice that African Americans’ experience, that after losing a loved one, innocently killed, no law or justice system has been put to protect a human right that has been applied to the perpetrator.
For me, going down on my knees and praying is the only weapon, because God is my strength and even for my brothers and sisters in the USA. God promised that two or three praying together, He would hear the prayers. God said, "Love the Lord God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind”. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it, "Love your neighbour as yourself."
As human beings who are made with God's image, we need to portray that love towards each other. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. Therefore, let us stand and pray with God's people out there in the streets seeking justice and the truth. I don't condone nor stand for looting, criminality and burglary. I stand on the side of the truth.
Nelson Mandela said, "No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin or his background or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite." Lord save America.
For all Christians around the world, we need to join hands and invite God's intervention over the situation. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayers."
Evelyn Alleyne, Provincial President of MU in USA
"The Mothers' Union stands with the whole world in support of justice and equality for all. As mothers’ we are concerned for our children and want them to grow up in a wholesome and nurturing environment. One in which they are safe and are accepted as full and responsible members of society.
"The Mothers' Union stands with the whole world in support of justice and equality for all. As mothers’ we are concerned for our children and want them to grow up in a wholesome and nurturing environment. One in which they are safe and are accepted as full and responsible members of society.
The idea of identifying and tackling racism is of utmost importance as we are at a time in our lives where we need to be unified. The world became united against COVID-19. Our country comes together when an outside force attacks us as a people but we have become divided by the effects of racism and injustice. Racism did not end when slavery ended, it only laid dormant until it has become acceptable to display this negativity. We, as the Mothers' Union need to assist in the coming together of our world from the human perspective.
The Mothers' Union stands with the black community in the United States and globally, to uphold the vision of Mary Sumner; that societal norms should be challenged in the face of abject and disproportionate treatment of God's children. We believe that black lives matter. We are living in a rapidly changing world, one in which the fluid movement of people means races are moving towards a more congenial society. Racism should not have a place in it."
Our prayers are with all the families who have suffered injustice. We pray that the lives of those who died have not been lost in vain. Together members of the Mothers' Union will work to bring about equity and fairness in society.
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