(2020) For too long now, we have closed our eyes to racism. Now is the time to do something, and we dare not stop until things have changed.
“When I offered to lead a Bible study in 2019 on the topic of ‘Love and Justice in the Bible,’ I ended up discovering how deeply connected love is with justice! When Jesus commands us to love others, it includes working for justice in all the world.” – Pastor Randy
“I’m thankful that God is patient with me as I’m learning every day to love my neighbor as Jesus did. Being involved in this racial justice team has strengthened my resolve to keep working-both in the larger community, and perhaps more importantly in looking at my own blind spots. We are learning from each other, growing together, and trusting that God will lead us in new and creative ways to stand up for justice.” – Anna
“It was through my work responsibilities that I became involved with this group. It has challenged me to look at things differently. I am grateful for the work being done by the Racial Truth & Justice Team, and proud to be part of a church that supports opportunities for racial justice education and learning.” – Julie
“A trip to Guatemala a number of years ago, reading ‘Waking Up White,’ and a recent discovery my grandmother’s home was part of the Underground Railroad were key elements stimulating further study for action — justice and love.” – Jill
“I have worked in the area of diversity and racial justice for many years. Sometimes it feels that little progress is being done, but hopefully small changes will lead to big things. The road you are on to seeking ‘justice’ may be full of pot holes and have many bumps, but you have to believe the road will get smoother as you travel down it.” – Fernando
“My Bible verse relating to social justice is found in Matthew 25: 35-40. It has to do with helping people who need help. The people listening to Jesus questioned when they did all the things Jesus was talking about and His response was ‘as you did it to one of the least of these, you did it to me.’ I feel that’s what we as Christians are called to do.” – Mary Ann
“It is important to acknowledge that all that a person has, from generational gifts or from their own privileged opportunities, has little meaning if others are suffering because they lack those same opportunities.” – Diane
“My dad worked in a factory where one black man worked. They became friends, and our families became friends. I thought their kids were kids just like us except for the color of their skin. After reading Waking Up White, I reached out to my dad’s friend’s widow. Coincidentally, we ended up meeting about a week after Philando Castille was killed. I apologized for having thought that her family’s life was just like ours, and asked if she would share some of her family’s experiences with me. We talked for two or three hours over coffee at a restaurant. The most shocking thing I learned was that the home that I knew as their home was not where they intended to live and raise their children. They had purchased another lot, but the seller’s neighbors were upset and pressured the seller to back out of the deal. The only way they could buy the land where they built their house was to have a white person act as a straw man – he bought the land and sold it to them. I have been interested in racial justice since I was about 9 or 10 years old and got to know this family. I still remember names of some of the martyrs from the freedom marches in the south in the early 1960s. One of my biggest regrets at this point in my life is that I thought the problem of racism could be “fixed” by the civil rights legislation passed in the 1960’s and 1970’s. Learning how mistaken I was has energized me to work to help others learn and work for justice for all for the rest of my days.” – Pat
Visit sotv.org/racial-truth-and-reconciliation to:
- learn about SOTV’s Racial Truth & Justice Team
- view upcoming events
- find learning resources
- take action
- connect with others
