Diversity and Anti-Racism Resources
- Presbyterian Justice & Peace
- Racial Justice Resources page now available online
- Stated Clerk: ‘No longer can we hide behind not being controversial’
- An Apology to Our African American Sisters and Brothers for the Sin of Slavery and Its Legacy
- ‘It is a righteous and holy anger that sees injustice and knows that it is wrong’
Presbyterian Week of Action embraces digital engagement
Social media events bring Presbyterians together over the topic of dismantling systemic racism. Read more
Dear friends in the Trinity community,
Many of us are distressed, angry, confused and concerned about the events of the past few years :: senseless killings, violent reactions, continued unrest. We are uncertain about what our responses can and should be, especially in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic with its recommendations of social distancing.
Trinity member Steven Crumb, who led an after-church adult education series based on Ibram Kendi’s How to be an Antiracist, recently shared the following thoughts and resources with those who’d attended the class. Several of us thought his outreach was helpful, and he graciously gave us permission to share with a wider distribution. Following is his message, including suggestions of some concrete steps we can take as starters.
From Steven Crumb:
I hope you’re all safe and well in the midst of trying times. I’ve heard from some of you that, like me, our discussions of Dr. Kendi’s How To Be An Antiracist have been on your mind in the wake of the incident in Central Park and, of course, George Floyd’s murder.
I, for one, have been spending more time thinking about how to be a more active anti-racist and have come across some resources that you might also find helpful. One is the aptly titled list “75 Things White People Can Do for Racial Justice.” Another is the website WhiteAccomplices.org, where you’ll find lots of concrete ideas helpfully arranged in progressive steps. I also like its suggestion that you commit to 3 actions in a month and reach out to friends who can help you be accountable. So, I’m reaching out to you ? I plan to do the following in the month of June:
- “Talk with your children about these issues [racism, violence against communities of Color, white supremacy, etc.] explicitly, including where they/you fit into these systems including the privileges they occupy.”
- “Use your economic capital to support businesses owned by people of Color.” (here’s a great list of black-owned restaurants)
- “Diversify your social media. Follow radical/progressive Black, Brown, Indigenous figureheads and leaders in the movement. Then do your best to share and amplify their voice with your white social circles. This is great way to culture shift ideas, art, and media.” (Maybe you could start with Ibram X. Kendi, for example, who is active on Facebook and Twitter.)
All of these fall in the “ally” category (see WhiteAccomplices.org for a distinction between actors, allies, and accomplices), and I hope to progress toward more “accomplice” actions.
I’m grateful to be part of a church community filled with folks like you, full of compassion and the will to realize God’s just kingdom on earth.
