Individual Actions You Can Take:
Our calling, as Christians, is always the same. We are called to love. We ask the question: what would love do? The first step in the Way of Love is to turn. We are called to turn inward for some deep soul searching on our attitudes and prejudices. We are called to turn outward and to commit to learn, pray and act for justice.
What does LOVE look like, for a faithful individual? Among other things …
TELL the truth when it's tempting to be quiet
SEEK the stories of people who are different from you, especially those from the underside (and amplify those stories)
ACT and speak in ways that bring life, instead of tearing others down to build yourself up
REPAIR what has been broken in your own life and community, as well as in our society and institutions (It doesn't matter if you broke it; you can be part of healing)
What does LOVE look like, for a faithful individual? Among other things …
TELL the truth when it's tempting to be quiet
SEEK the stories of people who are different from you, especially those from the underside (and amplify those stories)
ACT and speak in ways that bring life, instead of tearing others down to build yourself up
REPAIR what has been broken in your own life and community, as well as in our society and institutions (It doesn't matter if you broke it; you can be part of healing)
Learn
Does your heart hurt from this broken world? Do you feel powerless? We are called to build the Beloved Community and work for inward and outward transformation. Here are ideas for adults; ideas for discussing race with children and teens are further below:
- We need to talk about race. Why are people angry? Why so upset? Didn't we elect a black president? Pass civil rights laws? Isn't racism illegal now? The creator of Veggie Tales shares this video on taking a look at race in America.
- the 21 Day Racial Equity Habit Building Challenge for 21 days, do one action to further your understanding of power, privilege, supremacy, oppression and equity. Plan includes suggestions for readings, podcasts, videos, observations, and ways to form and deepen community connections.
- 75 Things White People Can Do For Racial Justice This article on actions we can take for racial justice is specific to white people because of the innate privilege in society, but there are pieces for all to take action.
- The Assumptions of White Privilege and What We Can Do About It An article just published that uses recent events to highlight white privilege and what we can do about it.
- What Not To Say To Your Black Colleagues Right Now
- Minneapolis' Long History of Policing Black and White Communities Differently - PBS News Hour. (BTW - a young adult who is a member of our parish was a production assistant on this piece!)
- Just Mercy the Movie by Bryan Stevenson is available on various platforms; iTunes, Amazon Prime (as well as the book)
- We invite you to continue to learn and to move beyond your comfort zone to understand your privilege. The Episcopal Church in Minnesota has curated many resources over the years that you can find here.
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iAct - (From the Episcopal Church in Minnesota)
We hope that, as the Episcopal Church in Minnesota, you will join us in taking action and committing again to the work of racial reconciliation and justice. We ask all Minnesota Episcopalians to join us, as a start, in taking the following actions:
White siblings, we have particular work to do:
- If you can, donate to organizations working on the front line of these issues: NAACP Minneapolis or COPAL
White siblings, we have particular work to do:
- We invite you first of all to get comfortable being uncomfortable. Resist the urge to seek for easy answers, or to wash your hands of culpability.
- Listen. This is a profound moment of opportunity for us to learn about the experiences of children of God who have, simply by virtue of their birth, experienced this world very differently.
Pray
The Center for Racial Healing is an Episcopal Center opened in 2017 that seeks the beloved community and the rewards of living life in that community-free of racism. It offers prayerful education, videos, podcasts, collective actions, training and dialogue.
A litany for Minnesota's sins of racism
| litany_for_minnesotas_sins_of_racism.pdf |
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Almighty God, Source of all that is, Giver of every good gift: You create all people in your image and call us to love one another as you love us. We confess that we have failed to honor you in the great diversity of the human family. We have desired to live in freedom, while building walls between ourselves and others. We have longed to be known and accepted for who we are, while making judgments of others based on the color of skin, or the shape of features, or the varieties of human experience. We have tried to love our neighbors individually while yet benefiting from systems that hold those same neighbors in oppression. Forgive us, Holy God. Give us eyes to see you as you are revealed in all people. Strengthen us for the work of reconciliation rooted in love. Restore us in your image, to be beloved community, united in our diversity, even as you are one with Christ and the Spirit, Holy and undivided Trinity, now and for ever. Amen (SCLM Prayers for Racial Justice and Reconciliation)
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The Episcopal Church has a wealth of information & resources for addressing racist violence:
Teaching Children and Teens about Racism:
- Miss Anna Talks About... an excellent 3 minute video with a family guide and parent guide that has activities, how to talk to kids and a glossary of terms.
- Grief in a time of Injustice and COVID-19'
- Talking About Race (National Museum of African American History & Culture) Help your child understand what race is, how it operates in society, and why race in America is important. Includes excellent videos to share with youth or use in your own learning.
- "Coming Together: Standing Up to Racism. A CNN/Sesame Street Town Hall for Kids and Families" The show will include Sesame Street characters and will talk to kids about racism, the recent nationwide protests, embracing diversity and being more empathetic and understanding.
- 3 lessons on prejudice & stereotypes, curiosity & empathy, colors & culture from Deep Blue Bible by Cokesbury
- "Raising White Kids' Author On How White Parents Can Talk About Race
- Talking to kids about protesting; Five things I Want My Kids to Know.
- Your kids aren’t too young to talk about race.
- Talking to Children after Racial Incidents from the Penn GSE Newsroom
- Tips for Parents on Media Coverage from the National Child Traumatic Stress Network
- Talking to Kids about Racial Stereotypes – Tip Sheet, Media Smarts
- https://centerracialjustice.org/resources/resources-for-talking-about-race-racism-and-racialized-violence-with-kids/
- Book list by age groups- early children through adult, compiled by an Episcopal School librarian and chaplain:
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