n February, 2002, the Rahway and Plainfield Monthly Meeting in New Jersey approved the following minute:

We affirm the necessity of examining white privilege and racism. We regret the damage these practices have caused, whether intentional or through ignorance, to others and ourselves. We will move with the Spirit to seek justice, healing and reconciliation within our meeting and the larger body of Friends.

The minute came about when a Friend returned from the October 2001 weekend conference on racial justice at Pendle Hill carrying the epistle from that event. For several years members of Plainfield meeting have held a concern for examining racism and white privilege. In November, the meeting's Peace and Social Concerns committee brought the epistle to the business meeting. The epistle was read, and Friends considered a response. The Peace and Social Concerns committee then took it upon itself to draft a minute expressing the sense of the meeting. A draft was read at the December business meeting, and printed in the meeting's newsletter with a request for comments. After some additional discussion among members, the meeting felt the way was open to move forward and in February 2002 approved the minute.

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