A Statement from The Chairs

The backdrop is dark, signifying the darkness of these unprecedented times.  Not only is Covid-19 continuing to wreak havoc with human lives, now segregation, racism and separatist attitudes are dominating human relating once more.  In a Public Health England review on the Disparities in the risk and outcomes of Covid-19, the following is highlighted: ‘People from Black ethnic groups were most likely to be diagnosed. Death rates from COVID-19 were highest among people of Black and Asian ethnic groups.  This is the opposite of what is seen in previous years, when the mortality rates were lower in Asian and Black ethnic groups than White ethnic groups.  Therefore, the disparity in COVID-19 mortality between ethnic groups is the opposite of that seen in previous years.  People who live in deprived areas have higher diagnosis rates and death rates than those living in less deprived areas.  The mortality rates from COVID-19 in the most deprived areas were more than double the least deprived areas, for both males and females.  This is greater than the inequality seen in mortality rates in previous years, indicating greater inequality in death rates from COVID-19. (extract from the Executive Summary: Published June 2020 PHE publications; gateway number: GW-1311) 

Some of the reasons noted for this in the above statement is poverty and the so-called post-code lottery.  The area one lives in can often be contributory to the disparities faced.
As the London District of the Methodist church,
we embrace everyone and believe all lives matter!

We also strongly yield to the side of the oppressed, the deprived, poor and marginalised.
We weep with those who are weeping and in humility,
we share deeply the pain of those who’ve lost their loved ones.

That is why we cannot afford to remain silent when people like George Floyd are deprived of life through callous, racist and insensitive ‘public order – actions’ that are not meted out equally and without bias amongst the whole community; whether be it here in the UK with the high incidences of stop and search amongst BAME youths when compared to those of white ethnic origin; or in the US with the ongoing riots and continued segregation by police forces in ‘dispensing their brand of justice’ (which often stands in stark contrast to the proper rule of law).  As Christians from all walks of life, we are dismayed and filled with righteous indignation at the cheapening of human life, the continued accentuation of difference and the disparate way in which resources are shared amongst differing communities.  When one weeps and is in pain, as a church, we cry too and share in their pain!

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