On Waking Up to Injustice and Racism
Resources for reconciliation and justice from a Christian perspective.
Petts, John. Wales Window of Alabama. 1964. 16th Street Baptist Church, Birmingham, Alabama. Photograph by Wendy McFadden.
“In the psalms there is no true worship without justice, no faithful prayer that leaves out justice, and no genuine faith that takes justice less seriously than God takes it.”
-W. David O. Taylor (Open and Unafraid: The Psalms as a Guide to Life, 124)
Introduction
Over the past few weeks, I’ve had quite a few conversations with White* Christians about racism** in America*** and the church.**** Nationally, books on anti-racism have jumped back onto bestseller lists and White people across the country are learning and educating themselves on America’s history and the ways racism still affects everyday life. There are many, many great articles with anti-racism resources, but I thought it might be helpful to compile a list for the Christian community.
If you’re new to the journey, I hope these resources will give you a great place to start. If you’ve been in the conversation for a while now, I hope this can be an encouragement to you and equip you with resources as you dive into the work around you.
I’m grateful to be learning alongside you!
*Side note: You’ll notice I capitalize the “B” in Black and the “W” in White. This article from the Center for the Study of Social Policy explains the rationale behind this grammatical move. Language and grammar are powerful, and this is a very small and intentional way to challenge our assumptions.
**Side side note: Every community of color in America has experienced racism and mistreatment, and this email is in no way trying to ignore those histories by focusing on the Black community.
***Side side side note: Racism is as old as history and as wide as the entire world. I want to intentionally place this discussion and these resources within an American context because, well, that’s what I know; that’s who I am.
****Side side side side note: I’m an Evangelical Protestant, so—while there is racism and racist structures across every denomination and tradition—I mainly focus on Protestantism because, well, that’s what I know; that’s who I am.
Begin Here!
Divided by Faith: Evangelical Religion and the Problem of Race in America by Christian Smith and Michael O. Emerson (2000)
A Great Overview (Book): This is the text I always recommend to Evangelical friends learning about race for the first time. The first part of the book gives a broad overview of the history of Protestantism and racial discrimination in America while the rest of the book dives into large surveys and meticulous research about the differences between Black and White Evangelicals. Extremely readable and educational, this a wonderful book to start an education.
Selma, directed by Ava DuVernay (2014)
Making it Real (Movie): I know multiple White people whose lives began to change by watching this movie (I’m one of them). There is something visceral and real about the racial terror, the death, and also the hope in this movie. I left the theater asking, “Would I have marched with King?” and I immediately knew the answer: “No.” Watch this movie and be honest with any hard questions it poses.
Jesus and the Disinherited by Howard Thurman (1949)
A Theology of Suffering (Book): Howard Thurman taught Martin Luther King, Jr. at Boston University. This is a short book written for the “disinherited” people of America and communicates the reality of a God who is with those who suffer and are cast aside.
“Biblical Justice” by the Bible Project
A Biblical Understanding of Justice (Video/Article): Short and very informative. This gives a great, broad overview of biblical justice, from the Old Testament to the New Testament.
On History
The Color of Compromise: The Truth about the American Church’s Complicity in Racism by Jemar Tisby (2019)
On the History of Protestant Racism in America (Book): It’s sometimes tempting for me to educate myself on issues and histories that don’t directly involve me—that way I can hold responsibility at arms’ length. This book—this history—is my story, it’s our story. It’s essential we understand it.
13th, directed by Ava DuVernay (2016)
Connecting Historical Dots (Documentary): Bryan Stevenson, the activist, lawyer, and author of Just Mercy (see below), says that slavery did not end, it only evolved. Ava DuVernay does a phenomenal job of tracing the thread of slavery and racism after the Civil War and into today. If you have questions about what people mean when they say “Prison Industrial Complex,” this is an excellent place to start.
“Letter from Birmingham Jail” by Martin Luther King, Jr. (1963)
A Specific Moment in History: An often forgotten piece of this letter’s history: it was specifically addressed to eight White ministers in Birmingham, Alabama. Most of these eight White ministers were actually moderate—they were not members of the KKK or White Citizens’ Council and many in their community considered them to be too liberal on matters of race. Today that could translate to people and institutions who pay lip service to diversity or promote diverse brochures but do not take the concrete steps needed to create systemic change.
On Experiences
Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson (You can find the movie here) (Book, 2015; Movie, 2019)
On Broken Courts and the Fight for Justice (Book and Movie): This is a Christianity that fights. Bryan Stevenson founded the Equal Justice Initiative in Montgomery, Alabama, fighting for justice for inmates on death row. Just Mercy is both an overview of the inequalities baked into the system as well as a specific story of one man wrongfully accused and the fight for exoneration.
“Untitled” by Morgan Dawson (2020)
On Fighting to Live (Article): Written originally after the murder of Ahmaud Arbery, Morgan vulnerably and passionately writes about what it’s like to have Blackness be seen as a threat, and what it takes to live fully despite that.
Black Was Not a Label: A Collection by Kathryn H. Ross (2019)
On Existing in a Black Body (Book): Poetic and lyrical, Black Was Not a Label is about Kathryn’s fight to discover the beauty of Blackness in a world that denies it. Please read this book; it’s beauty reflects her own discovery of beauty.
I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness by Austin Channing Brown (2018)
On Creating Space in “Progressive” Christian Organization and Spaces: This book hits hard. It’s a difficult read because it addresses systemic racism in Christian organizations that claim diversity and inclusion. I work in a Christian organization that claims diversity and inclusion, and it made me recognize the ways in which I perpetuate unhealthy expectations and cultures that stifle diverse voices.
On Creating Anti-Racist Spaces, Churches, and Organizations
Rediscipling the White Church: From Cheap Diversity to True Solidarity by David W. Swanson (2020)
Dismantling Racism Within Predominantly White Churches (Book): Less than a month old, this book just came in the mail for me this past week. Timely and informative, it is written by a White pastor who has done the work in his own life and church. A great book to begin the process of taking action steps.
Roadmap to Reconciliation 2.0: Moving Communities into Unity, Wholeness, and Justice by Brenda Salter McNeil (2020)
The Best Guide I’ve Read on Engaging in Racial Reconciliation Work (Book): I read the original Roadmap to Reconciliation during the lead-up to the 2016 election, and this is usually the first book I’ll suggest to people in ministry looking for practical resources and advice for engaging in the work of turning a diverse community into a reconciled community.
Finally—While We Educate, Donate
As we educate, it’s important that we also give financially to organizations doing the work. It’s another way we can act towards justice while learning about it. Here are two organizations, both with Christian underpinnings:
Founded by Bryan Stevenson, they do so much essential work it’s impossible to name it all. They represent clients on death row, fight for the rights of children in prison, and educate Americans about lynchings and our nation’s history of racism—just to name a few.
Here is their mission statement: “We empower people and culture toward racial healing, equity, and reconciliation.” This is a ministry/organization I am just becoming familiar with, but it is doing the necessary work of creating programs, conferences, and curriculum that assists in building diverse and reconciled churches, organizations, and communities.
A Final Thought
This week I’ve been thinking about Mathew 19 and the story of the rich, young ruler. He follows the law and wants to follow Jesus but is unable to give away what he has. Afterwards, talking with his disciples, Jesus says this:
“Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (19:23b-26, ESV, emphasis mine).
Recognizing an unjust world existing around us—one that we are complicit in creating—is overwhelming, heartbreaking. We have been the rich, young rulers in America, and being willing to acknowledge, learn, and begin the work of dismantling a system that favors us feels crazy and impossible. It is harder to do than a camel going through the eye of a needle.
But with God all things are possible.
God is still in the business of changing hearts and bringing justice. God is still at the head of the table. God is still the one who leads us and guides us as we submit to the work before us. It is only through God that true justice and reconciliation can be achieved, and I believe the Church can be the leaders of racial justice and reconciliation.
So, knowing that all things are possible with God, let’s do this thing.
cheering for you,
drew