Faith Communities And The Fight For Racial Justice

"The work for racial justice in the U.S. in the decades after the high-water mark of the Civil Rights movement is a significant yet too often neglected chapter of American religious history- a chapter overshadowed to a great extent by the Religious Right, which has gotten much more scholarly attention. For decades, little known faith leaders across the U.S. did what they could to create fair and affordable housing, contribute to community development, advocate for affirmative action, protest racial profiling, and mobilize voter registration. Many of these leaders were affiliated with mainstream majority-White Protestant denominations, Black denominations, Roman Catholic groups, and Jewish organizations. Many of the Protestants were African Methodist Episcopal, Baptist, Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian, or United Church of Christ. Some were Brethren, Disciples of Christ, Mennonites, Moravians, or Quakers. The leaders often formed coalitions of faith-based and nonsectarian organizations. The focus of Wuthnow's new book will be on local, unsung struggles for racial justice-- happening in response to local events, led by local clergy, and drawing on local networks. This was advocacy work that wasn't covered by national or international news media, and the achievements of these struggles were often small (rather than sweeping and dramatic). These struggles will be covered in a series of thematic chapters; one chapter on concerted action by faith groups & leaders in particular U.S. communities for fair, affordable, desegregated housing; another chapter on affirmative action and busing; a third on efforts to advocate for policy reform and for the end of racial profiling, etc. Wuthnow will discuss the systematic racism that these racial justice advocates confronted -- racism that's thoroughly ingrained in institutional structures, and that has proven to be impervious to strategies that involve personal approaches to sensitizing hearts and minds to the evils of racism. Wuthnow argues that this historical record provides lessons for contemporary racial justice warriors working either within or outside of faith communities. Progressive religious groups have been most effective in supporting civil rights efforts whey they're focused on very specific tasks -- e.g. voting rights, gerrymandering, discrimination in hiring, inequality on the job, and lack of access to equal opportunity in education -- and when they organize strategically, form coalitions, use the right kinds of knowledge and expertise, and adapt to new situations"--

The communities, congregations, and faith-based coalitions that have been working for racial justice over the past fifty years Have progressive religious organizations been missing in action in recent struggles for racial justice? In Faith Communities and the Fight for Racial Justice, Robert Wuthnow shows that, contrary to activists’ accusations of complacency, Black and White faith leaders have fought steadily for racial and social justice since the end of the Civil Rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s. Wuthnow introduces us to the communities, congregations, and faith-based coalitions that have worked on fair housing, school desegregation, affirmative action, criminal justice, and other issues over many years. Often overshadowed by the Religious Right, these progressive faith-based racial justice advocates kept up the fight even as media attention shifted elsewhere. Wuthnow tells the stories of the faith-based affordable housing project in St. Louis that sparked controversy in the Nixon White House; a pastor’s lawsuit in North Carolina that launched the nation’s first busing program for school desegregation; the faith outreach initiative for Barack Obama’s presidential campaign; and church-mobilized protests following the deaths of Trayvon Martin, Freddie Gray, and George Floyd. Drawing on extensive materials from denominations, journalists, and social scientists, Wuthnow offers a detailed and frank discussion of both the achievements and the limitations of faith leaders’ roles. He focuses on different issues that emerged at different times, tracing the efforts of Black and White faith leaders who sometimes worked cooperatively and more often tackled problems in complementary ways. Taken together, these stories provide lessons in what faith communities have done and how they can better advocate for racial justice in the years ahead.

In 2020 Britain marks the 25th anniversary of Racial Justice Sunday. This movement was established at a time when the UK was having to face up to both overt and subversive forms of racism, characterised by the tragic killing of black teenager, Stephen Lawrence, in Eltham in 1993. This murder, and other racist attacks, gave mainstream visibility to the struggle of many Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic people to obtain equality and justice. Race for Justice brings together a collection of voices on this vital issue from across the Christian denominations. Each contributor to this volume serves as their particular denomination’s racial justice, equalities, diversity or inclusion officers. Equipped with frontline experience in the fight against racism, they each give their perspective on the successes and failures of race relations over the last quarter of a century, as well as addressing contemporary challenges and their hopes for the future.

Take the next step to confronting racism in relationships and in everyday life. This 10-session, video-based study guide (DVD/video streaming sold separately) provides groups and individuals with practical tools and suggestions, actionable items, and real-world examples of change, to enable you to become proactive and effective in the fight for racial justice. In his bestselling book, How to Fight Racism, Jemar Tisby urged readers to move beyond talking about racism and start equipping ourselves to fight against it. This study guide is the next step on that journey for small groups, churches, classes, and individuals. Tisby unpacks his "A.R.C." model for racial justice, developing each of its stages in practical and empowering ways: Awareness (sessions 2—4) focuses on racial history, identity, and the image of God. Relationships (sessions 5—7) presents effective ways to do reconciliation, make friends, and build diverse communities. Commitment (sessions 8—10) concentrates on how to work for racial justice in your life, community, and country. You'll be encouraged to reject passivity and become active participants in the struggle for human dignity across racial and ethnic lines. The study guide—along with the video study—offers participants the opportunity to be part of the solution to racial problems and suggests that the application of these principles can offer us hope that will transform our nation and the world. Designed for use with How to Fight Racism Video Study (9780310113249), sold separately.

Winner of the 2022 ECPA Christian Book Award for Faith & Culture How do we effectively confront racial injustice? We need to move beyond talking about racism and start equipping ourselves to fight against it. In this follow-up to the New York Times Bestseller the Color of Compromise, Jemar Tisby offers an array of actionable items to confront racism. How to Fight Racism introduces a simple framework—the A.R.C. Of Racial Justice—that teaches readers to consistently interrogate their own actions and maintain a consistent posture of anti-racist behavior. The A.R.C. Of Racial Justice is a clear model for how to think about race in productive ways: Awareness: educate yourself by studying history, exploring your personal narrative, and grasping what God says about the dignity of the human person. Relationships: understand the spiritual dimension of race relations and how authentic connections make reconciliation real and motivate you to act. Commitment: consistently fight systemic racism and work for racial justice by orienting your life to it. Tisby offers practical tools for following this model and suggests that by applying these principles, we can help dismantle a social hierarchy long stratified by skin color. He encourages rejection passivity and active participation in the struggle for human dignity. There is hope for transforming our nation and the world, and you can be part of the solution.

America's problem with race has deep roots, with the country's foundation tied to the near extermination of one race of people and the enslavement of another. Racism is truly our nation's original sin. "It's time we right this unacceptable wrong," says bestselling author and leading Christian activist Jim Wallis. Fifty years ago, Wallis was driven away from his faith by a white church that considered dealing with racism to be taboo. His participation in the civil rights movement brought him back when he discovered a faith that commands racial justice. Yet as recent tragedies confirm, we continue to suffer from the legacy of racism. The old patterns of white privilege are colliding with the changing demographics of a diverse nation. The church has been slow to respond, and Sunday morning is still the most segregated hour of the week. In America's Original Sin, Wallis offers a prophetic and deeply personal call to action in overcoming the racism so ingrained in American society. He speaks candidly to Christians--particularly white Christians--urging them to cross a new bridge toward racial justice and healing. Whenever divided cultures and gridlocked power structures fail to end systemic sin, faith communities can help lead the way to grassroots change. Probing yet positive, biblically rooted yet highly practical, this book shows people of faith how they can work together to overcome the embedded racism in America, galvanizing a movement to cross the bridge to a multiracial church and a new America.

Kids deal with racism and social justice issues every day; give them the tools to effectively fight injustices using Christian principles and practical tools. In this adaptation of?How To Fight Racism, Dr. Jemar Tisby helps young readers ages 8-12 understand how everyday prejudice affects them, what they can do to create social change, how to maintain an anti-racist mindset, and make a positive difference in the world. Racism is pervasive in today's world, and in the wake of protests and a call for change, many kids are eager to confront it but aren’t always sure how. Jemar Tisby, author of?How to Fight Racism?and?The Color of Compromise, believes we need to move beyond mere discussions?about?racism and begin equipping young people with the practical tools to fight against it. In?How to Fight Racism Young Reader’s Edition,?Dr. Tisby uses history to explore how racism has affected America since before its founding and how it’s continued to grow, as well as examines how true social justice is rooted in the Christian faith. In a format that provides kids with a handbook for pursuing racial justice, readers ages 8-12 will discover: hands-on suggestions and real-world examples of?change they can put into action practical ideas for confronting racism and social injustice in their?everyday lives, and how they can use Christian values to change the narrative around race the ARC of racial justice—Awareness, Connection, and?Relationships—that help form an anti-racist mindset ways to evaluate their actions and promote biblical principles Throughout, kids will learn how to ask questions of themselves and their communities as they stand up to racism in all its forms. This book is for anyone who believes it is time to courageously confront the racism we see in our society today. How to Fight Racism Young Reader’s Edition: Is ideal for any young person wanting to make a?difference in today’s world Can be used by families and church groups to start?meaningful conversations with kids Provides practical tools and advice for how to deal with social justice and racism Is written at a level kids in grades 4 through 6 and?beyond can understand Can be used in a small group setting to develop discussions of diversity, racism, social justice, and more

Reader's Choice Award Winner It's time to move past talk. It's no longer news to most of us that our society has a deep-seated racism problem. Christians of all ethnic and economic backgrounds are tired of seeing the ugly legacy of racism play out before their eyes and feeling ill-equipped to respond. They watch as friends and family members leave the visible church over this issue, or fall prey to a gospel of White nationalism that is an affront to the cross of Christ. Racism presents itself as an undefeatable foe—a sustained scourge on the reputation of the church. In Faithful Antiracism, Christina Barland Edmondson and Chad Brennan take confidence from the truth that Christ has overcome the world, including racism, and offer clear analysis and interventions to challenge and resist its pernicious power. Drawing on brand-new research from the landmark Race, Religion, and Justice Project led by Michael Emerson and others, this book represents the most comprehensive study on Christians and race since Emerson's own book Divided by Faith (2001). It invites readers to put this data to immediate practical use, applying it to their own specific context. Compelled by our grievous social moment and by the timeless truth of Scripture, Faithful Antiracism will equip readers to move past talk and enter the fight against racism in both practical and hopeful ways.