I'm not certain (as I'm certainly no American history scholar nor a Church history scholar), but I've never been under the delusion that the American church has a sterling record on racism encompassing the past couple of hundred years.  Was the RCC noted, as are the Quakers, for its rigorous anti-slavery actions and words?  Were all of our parishes desegregated before the Civil Rights act?  Did we have strong, outspoken Southern bishops who mandated equality that countered cultural norms prior to the 1960's?  I'm hoping there are a few standout examples of genuinely anti-racist bishops and parishes, but I've never read or been otherwise informed that the RCC has been staunchly active toward human rights in this particular matter.  I may be absolutely wrong and would welcome being corrected on this impression.  My point is, we don't have (as far as I know) a proud history in this critical matter and it's past time to begin to heal both the present and the past.