racial justice
walk with us through 2022 as we read, talk together and act
Jesus’ death and resurrection means we are one
Jesus’ death and resurrection means we are one
| join us in learning about and advocating for racial justice in 2022 | details |
|---|---|
| #BHM 2022 – 3 blog posts on Black History Month – written by leaders of CBWOQ’s racial justice team | Renee James Darlene Lucas Jemell Moriah |
| online book club – Subversive Witness: Scripture’s Call to Leverage Privilege by Dominque Dubois Gilliard 3 sessions of prayer, Scripture reading and discussion of the book Zoom details will be posted here closer to session dates |
Wed @ 7:30 p.m. EST June 1, 8, and 15 |
| live magazine – May/June 2022 issue entire issue focuses on justice through the words of Black Indigenous People of Colour – non-profit leaders, pastors, poets, university professors and women’s ministry leaders |
subscribe online here or speak to your church promoter |
| panel discussion + Q&A – coming in fall | topic TBA Zoom details will be posted here closer to date | hosted by CBWOQ’s racial justice team |
date: TBA |
| National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – service of observance hosted by our ministry partner CBM | we will post details as they are released including Zoom link etc. |
Fri Sep 30 | time TBA |
| online gathering to launch Advent 2022: We Are One 2 We Are One 2 – written devotionals + short videos released every Sunday during Advent that unpack the Christmas story through the lens of racial justice |
online gathering date and time: TBA (in late November)
weekly devotional + video posted: |
statement from CBWOQ on anti-Black racism
God loves justice. It is His very nature, and He calls us to justice as well. Therefore, we want to affirm:
- No one should die because of the colour of their skin. Black lives matter.
- Violence against people of colour must be prosecuted.
- Social policy must dismantle systemic racism.
With sorrow we confess that racism exists in Canada, and in us. We are committed to change. We are committed for the long term. We want to continue listening, continue learning, and to advocate and act for lasting justice.
Diane McBeth, executive director (2014 – 2021), CBWOQ
justice
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.”
—Martin Luther King Jr. from Letter from Birmingham Jail April 16, 1963
a 40-day prayer and reflection guide for racial justice
thoughts to consider
enjoy live magazine’s issue devoted to race, racism and ethnicity
FREE!
click on the image to read and download
a special thanks to our contributors:
Darlene Lucas, Rev Della Bost, Carol Parsons, Tabitha Mui, Evie Klein Whittingham, Lis Cristina Lam, Laura Matthews, Linda Ellsworth
“Instead of saying, “But I’m not racist,” we must be willing to consider: How do our hidden assumptions and biases move us closer to certain individuals and further away from others? Why do we feel safer with some but not with all?”
Lis Cristina Lam in How To Be An Anti-Racist Foodie, from live magazine – September-October 2020 issue
meet the contributors, hear how they wrote their articles, what changed for them and the conversations they’re having now
a zoom event recorded in fall 2020
“To be a racial minority involves the constant negotiation of bodies and speech—to notice the meaning of my skin in relation to yours, to discern the value of my tongue among the languages and accents echoing in a room. ‘Do I belong here,’ I always ask myself, ‘In this language, among these people?’
— Isaac S. Villegas from article White Skin
ways into conversation
these resources just skim the surface
blogs, books and videos that foster conversation and lead to action
Glossary of Terms
(some of the most common terms + their definitions. Useful to review as you begin to read, listen and talk.)
Race In America by Phil Vischer (video)
(the creator of VeggieTales created this video to explain systemic racism in the United States.)
Seeking Salvation – A History of the Black Church in Canada – 2004 documentary
(This documentary testifies to the importance of Spirit-filled community in conferring dignity, safety, freedom and identity. Stunning.)
Why Critical Race Theory Should Be Critical for the Church – article by Cid Latty, Congregational Development Associate with CBOQ
(published at baptist.ca during Black History Month 2021)
The Black Church In Canada by CBOQ pastor Rev Denise Gillard – paper
(written for McMaster University – gives an outline of Black history and Black church history in Canada)
Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack by Peggy McIntosh
(white privilege unpacked in a thoughtful way – the best way to begin the conversation)
White Fragility – Why It’s so Hard for White People to Talk About Racism – video
(video featuring author Robin DiAngelo talking about her book White Fragility…)
(a helpful talk on what white privilege and fragility are…key concepts for you to consider)
White Fragility – Why It’s so Hard for White People to Talk About Racism
by Robin DiAngelo (link to book on Amazon)
“The God whom we worship is not a weak and incompetent God. He is able to beat back gigantic waves of opposition and to bring low prodigious mountains of evil. The ringing testimony of the Christian faith is that God is able.”
—Martin Luther King Jr.
ways into action
where do we start?
some resources to get you going…with more to come!
How To Be An AntiRacist by Ibram X. Kendi
(offers practical steps forward to becoming antiracist)
– link to our book club resources page for video of book club conversation plus prompts we created for discussion
I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness by Austin Channing Brown
(confronting racism from the perspective of being female, Black and Christian)
– link to our book club page – we created prompts for reflection, questions and some ways to take action!
For Our White Friends Desiring To Be Allies (blog on sojo.net)
(a practical checklist; helpful; honest and compassionate)