Resources: Faith and Justice

fasting_cup“Yes, we’re angry but the anger doesn’t have the last word. Militant nonviolent civil disobedience creates a container for us to direct that righteous anger at the state. It creates a moral drama to prick the conscience of society, and we do it out of a deep, abiding love.” – Rev. Osagyefo Sekou

These resources come from predominantly Christian sources. We look forward to expanding our this section by including other faith perspectives.

Videos

Do Black Lives Matter to White Christians? – Video produced by Sojourners Magazine

Race, Faith & Justice: Rev. Osagyefo Uhuru Sekou 

Articles

Why and How Clergy Should Stand with Protesters – “We must be clear: Police are agents of the state. They have historically used the clergy’s access and influence to control the people. In return, clergy have gained access to those in power. To what end? Our children are still hunted prey. Our communities are still blighted. Our schools are underfunded….”

My “Nonviolent” Stance Was Met With Heavily Armed Men – “How can the sleeping white church, of which I am a part, mobilize the church militant? How can we spiritually prepare and discipline the followers of Christ to put their bodies on the line?”

What To Say, What To Do – Suggestions of how to talk about the movement from a faith perspective

Converting Hidden Spiritual Racism Into Sacred Activism: An Open Letter To Spiritual White Folks

Ferguson and Faith: Sparking Leadership and Awakening Community – book from St. Louis-based author Dr. Leah Francis Gunning

Black Lives Matter: A Reprise: Article on the Ignatian Solidarity Network: “I wonder about the Church’s collective inaction and silence, in response to this pillaging of black bodies.”

The Pastoral is Political: Black Lives Matter – from RevGalBlogPalsa supportive community for clergywomen

Black Catholic leaders want stronger church response to police killings – “Peace is not a polite conversation between the oppressor and the oppressed. Peace is dismantling the hierarchies of oppression,” he wrote. “Peace is redistribution of the economic and social power. Peace does not come from seeking the lowest common denominator, but in seeking radical and universal principles that will be fair to all.”

Four Things Evangelicals Should Know About Black Lives Matter – “We are standing in the heartbeat of a moment when those who have benefited most from the spirit called colonization have an opportunity. They can defend it as the very thing that has made America great. They can remain silent. They can voice support, then do nothing. Or they can voice support, then act.”

Lent 2016 – Challenging Racism: Prayers & Reflections -Call to Action is providing a FREE copy of the scripture, prayers and reflections packet for Lent 2016.

Thesis 33: What Michael Brown, Jr. Is Teaching Me About Resurrection – On the one year anniversary of Michael Brown’s death, a reflection from local activist Kenneth Pruitt 

Race and ‘A Very White Movement’ – National Catholic Reporter Article on Racism, the Church, and the Catholic Worker:

The Hypocrisy of condemning the Baltimore Riots – “…Those who call for calm and non-violence selectively and without compassion are not calling for Christian peace, but for the maintenance of the status quo”

o-JESUS-570What Does the Ferguson Report Mean for Christians? – Dr. Leah Gunning Francis on why the Church must respond to the facts in the recent DOJ report on racial bias in the Ferguson Police Department.

Holy Week of Resistance – The Holy Week of Resistance (HWR) is a national call to action consisting of locally organized, autonomous, yet Holy Week related actions and events that contribute to the manifest liberation struggles of all Oppressed Persons, beginning with Black and Brown Peoples.

A Lent Where Black Lives Matter – great reading for all liturgical seasons.

Live Free – The LIVE FREE Campaign is a faith-based movement to organize local communities across the country to reduce gun violence and end mass incarceration, and to generate the public and political will nationally to end the institutions and policies that contribute to the dehumanization of black and brown Americans.

Advent Reflection from St. Louis-based activist.

Blog of Dean Mike Kinman of Christ Church Cathedral, a member of the local Don’t Shoot Coalition

Article: The clergy’s place is with the protesters in Ferguson – Osagyefo Uhuru Sekou

Statement of Catholic Theologians on Racial Justice

priests