Prepared remarks for press conference on racial equity in FWISD

 On Tuesday I was asked by friends at Leadership ISD to speak at a press conference in advance of the FWISD School Board meeting, where a large crowd was gathered to protest the District's work for racial equity and cultural inclusion. Due to the large crowd, the press conference did not take place as planned. However, I think it is important that my prepared remarks be shared, as they are relative not only to what is taking place here in Fort Worth, but also the larger conversation around racial equity and justice in America:

"I am the Rev. Ryon Price. I am the Senior Pastor of Broadway Baptist Church in Fort Worth, and a member of Pastors for Texas Children. I am also the parent of three Fort Worth ISD public school children.

I join my colleagues today in support of efforts to address racial and cultural equity and inclusion within Fort Worth ISD; and I affirm the intentional actions the District is taking to “identify, acknowledge, and overcome racial and ethnic disparities between students.” It is imperative that our District give serious thought and consideration to the systemic issues facing so many of our students, and work to address those issues for the sake of healing and wholeness within our community.

Issues of racial and ethnic disparity have existed for too long within our community and District. So I commend the Board for its courage in confronting the hard truth of those disparities, and committing itself to addressing their causes at the very root.

There is a powerful metaphor found in the Christian tradition which speaks of the Body. We are all members of one Body – one Body, with many members. And when something happens to harm a member part of the Body, we have to address it. The answer is not to pretend like the pain and what is causing it do not exist. We have to pay attention to the pain, determine its cause, and commit ourselves to doing what is necessary for the sake of healing.

Last week a momentous event took place in America. Juneteenth was officially recognized as a U.S. federal holiday. We give thanks for the work of Fort Worth icon Miss Opal Lee, and so many others who did so much to make that recognition happen. It was a day of hope and healing, because our country made a commitment to recognize the truth about our divided history and commit ourselves to a more-united future.

From now on, every day should be a day of hope and healing in America; and every day should be a day of hope and healing in Fort Worth. We must not be afraid to recognize and name the truth. We have committed ourselves to knowing the truth, and to telling the truth. And, as the old proverb says, the truth will set us free.

The truth is we are one Body, made up of many parts. For too long certain parts of our Body have been neglected, and abused, and treated like they don’t belong. But they do belong. And we owe it to them to show them how much we believe that.

We are all members of the same Body. And though our Body has been broken, it can be healed. We can be healed, if we will continue with our commitments to care for one another in both part and in whole, and with a loving and equitable eye on every child who has been entrusted to us."

Thank you and God bless.