RACIAL JUSTICE ADVOCACY
Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God;
everyone who loves is born of God and knows God - John 4:7 NRSV
FLORIDA-BAHAMAS SWO
BOARD PRESENTATION & DISCUSSION
On August 8, 2020, the Florida-Bahamas SWO Board met and participated in a discussion on racial justice and equality with Denise Beumer, a member of the board who is actively engaged with the WELCA Racial Justice Advocacy Network. The discussion and presentation were rooted in scripture...we invite you to listen to the discussion. (approximately 35 mins)
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Here are links to the resources referenced in this presentation:
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Defining White Privilege & Racism (ELCA, 2005)
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Terminology, definitions: Racism & Privilege (Powerpoint)
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Social Statement: Freed in Christ: Race, Ethnicity and Culture (ELCA, 2013)
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ELCA Racial Justice resources (online)
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WELCA Racial Justice Advocacy (online)
For additional information or additional resources for use in your congregation or conference, please contact Denise Beumer at (407) 782-7662.
WHAT ARE WE READING &
LISTENING TO...
So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo may be a good place to start. Each chapter talks about a different issue and helps the reader see topics from a different perspective. If you enjoy this book, she also has a podcast titled How to be a Good Ancestor.
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Me and White Supremacy by Layla Saad teaches the reader about white privilege – what it is, and how it affects everyone in our society. Available in print and audiobook formats.
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Stamped From the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America by Ibram X. Kendi is the book I am currently reading. There is also a young adult version for middle/high schoolers called Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You. Available in print and audiobook formats.
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Dear Church: A Love Letter From a Black Preacher in the Whitest Denomination in the US by Lenny Duncan, an ELCA pastor. Part manifesto, part confession, and all love letter, Dear Church offers a bold new vision for the future of Duncan's denomination and the broader mainline Christian community of faith. It includes a discussion guide that could be used in a church book club. Available in print and audiobook formats.
I'm Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness by Austin Channing Brown. This book looks at how white, middle-class Evangelicalism has participated in an era of rising racial hostility. It invites readers to confront apathy and recognize God's ongoing work in the world. There is a discussion guide that could be used in a church reading group. Available in print and audiobook formats.
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Silence is Not an Option is a podcast hosted by CNN’s Don Lemon. He says, “America is in crisis now. Many people want to help but have no idea where to start. In our new podcast, we are going to dig deep into the reality of being Black and brown in America and explore what you can do to help find a path forward.”
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1619 is a podcast that stems from the 1619 project in the New York Times. This podcast explores how slavery has transformed America.