In support of our vision for ELPC to live into its designation of being a Matthew 25 Church, the Facing Systemic Racism team recognizes that we cannot achieve this vision absent all of us being better informed about issues related to race, and, specifically African Americans in the United States. There are many resources available, so we will suggest a few options each week. Whether you chose from this list or have other books, films, etc., on this topic, please consider making time for this important faith work this summer. The FSR team challenges us to as a congregation read, watch, or listen to 1,000 books, TV programs, webinars, podcasts, or articles by Labor Day, September 7, 2020.
Below are resources for the upcoming week. Let us know what you and our family have watched, read, or listened to in the comment section!
Watch
Awareness & Transformation: Let’s Talk – Ralph Lowe and Brian Wallace cover a variety of race-related conversations including growing up in Pittsburgh as a Black man, growing up in the suburbs as a white man, encounters with law enforcement, playing the “race card,” interracial marriage, choosing where you shop based on race, and more.
Mass Poor People’s Assembly and Moral March on Washington – Recording of the Digital Justice Gathering to call for a revolution of values to save the soul and heart of our democracy. Speakers address the interlocking injustices of systemic racism, poverty, militarism and a war economy, ecological devastation and a distorted moral narrative of religious nationalism.
Read
Who Gets to be Afraid in America? – Ibram X Kendi’s May 2020 Atlantic article posits that Ahmaud Arbery’s murder personifies the terror felt by Black men across America who are profiled, singled out, and killed in the name of White fear. TRIGGER WARNING: Content could be triggering for BIPOC.
For Kids & Families
Let’s Talk About Race – In this acclaimed book, Julius Lester, author of the Newbery Honor Book “To Be a Slave,” shares his own story as he explores what makes each of us special. A strong choice for starting conversations about race at home.
Watched Awareness and Transformation:Let’s Talk
Henk & Michele Bossers participated in Zoom presentation Racial Disparities in Health Care.
Listened to Speaking of Racism podcast episode, “How To Be Less Stupid About Race Book Discussion with Myeisha T From Check Your Privilege”.
Watched the movie, 13th on June 26.
Listened to Speaking of Racism podcast episode, “How To Be Less Stupid About Race Book Discussion with Myeisha T From Check Your Privilege”.
Watched Awareness and Transformation:Let’s Talk
Watched 13th on June 29
Dear all,
Charlotte and I recently watched “13th” and Charlotte has also watched the documentary about the LA Riots.
June 23: Beverly Harris-Schenz and Michael Schenz viewed “The Talk” written and performed by Sonny Kelley.
June 24: Beverly Harris-Schenz and Michael Schenz viewed the Univ of Michigan’s Mens’ Glee Club performance of “Seven Last Words of the Unarmed.”
June 25: Beverly Harris-Schenz viewed ”Being Black in America,” a conversation between two theologians (one Black, one White) at Fuller Theological Seminary.
June 26: Beverly Harris-Schenz and Michael Schenz viewed Phil Vischer’s “Talk about Race.”
June 27: Beverly Harris-Schenz viewed “Trevor Noah explains Rousseau’s ‘Social Contract’”
June 28: Beverly and Michael Schenz read “The Black Female Battalion That stood up to a White Male Army.”
June 29: Beverly Harris-Schenz and Michael Schenz viewed the film “Race”
June 30: Beverly Harris-Schenz read “Brian Stevenson on the Frustration Behind the George Floyd Protests.”