The Episcopal Society for Cultural and Racial Unity (ESCRU)

ESCRU’s Struggle

ESCRU suffered the affliction of many early civil rights organizations that tried to change white-dominated society: it relied heavily on the visibility of white leaders at the expense of lifting up black voices. At its start, however, ESCRU had a profound effect in openly challenging the Church hierarchy and Episcopal cultural institutions that had thus far lent meager support to the struggle for full integration of the Church. Adopting the tactics of the larger struggle, ESCRU’s Board of Directors targeted several high profile venues to dramatize the Church’s institutional complacency. [Sources]