Racism and racial injustice are twin sins in our fallen world, and we must all do a better job educating ourselves, speaking up, and fighting for justice alongside our black brothers and sisters. As parents and pastors, it is not enough to simply educate ourselves — we must learn how to have difficult conversations about race and the Gospel with our students. We need courage and grace in these moments, and Rooted is committed to amplifying and supporting the voices of the marginalized.
This week’s Top Ten features articles, videos, and podcasts from persons of color and introduces a social media campaign highlighting a different racial justice resource each day. We are committed to continuing the conversation. Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more of Rooted Recommends: Racial Justice Resources. If you come across a resource that you think will educate, equip, and encourage our readers, please submit it to anna@rootedministry.com.
Gospel-Driven Justice
We Need to Be Uncomfortable by Philip Holmes, TGC. “America still has a race problem. And even though it’s not as blatant as the racism experienced by my ancestors, it is still threatening black lives across this country. We have to confront partiality by listening, learning, and engaging.”
A Call to Prayer and Fasting in Order to Combat Racism and Injustice by Lemanuel Williams, ERLC. “George Floyd’s blood speaks to me. I have responded to it with grief, anguish, and anger. His death reminds me of the pervading presence and power of racism in our nation. But, it also has left me feeling helpless and powerless. Yet, there is a blood that speaks a better word (Heb. 12:24).”
A Nation on Fire Needs the Flames of the Spirit by Esau McCaulley, Christianity Today. “Black Christians can deal with people who have no reason support us. We can deal with secular racists. What is heartbreaking and exhausting is to find ourselves fighting for our right to exist and then find that the enemy is our brother.”
The Gospel and the Pursuit of Justice in Your City by Jamaal Williams, Timothy Paul Jones, and Jarvis J. Williams, TGC. “As pastors of the same multi-ethnic congregation in Louisville, Kentucky, we long for our fellow pastors and fellow brothers and sisters in our city to remember the hope of the gospel during this time of suffering and sorrow, for the good news of Jesus Christ is still the power of God unto salvation for everyone who believes (Rom. 1:16).”
For Parents
A Guide for Praying Through Racial Reconciliation as a Family by Kevin Yi, sola.network. “SOLA Editorial Board Member Kevin Yi wrote this prayer guide for families to help them discuss racial reconciliation together. We want to encourage parents to be honest with their children so that we can openly fight the sin of racism and bring the light of Christ into our hearts, homes, and communities.”
On Talking to Your Child About Race by Dr. Michelle Reyes, theartoftaleh.com. “It’s not enough to just increase a child’s awareness of racial differences. The way we talk about others also plays a huge role in either reinforcing power structures or breaking them down—in rejecting “the other” or in planting the seeds for our children to view others the way God views them.”
How Can I Teach My Kids About Race and Racial Unity? A Roundtable Discussion with Trillia Newbell, Timothy Paul Jones, and Erica Ho, by Lindsay Nicolet, ERLC. “One of the best defenses against racism is recognizing beauty in those who are different from us instead of feeling discomfort or fear.”
For Youth Pastors
Things White Youth Pastors Can Do About Racism, an Interview with Theo Davis by Josh Griffin, DYM (podcast). “Sit down with Theo Davis, who wrote a very helpful blog post on the DYM Blog about how white your pastors can talk and help with racism…a great conversation about the current state of our country and how to chat about it with students.”
Self-Care in Times of Racial Tension, by Jamaal Williams, thefrontporch.org. “Jesus sympathizes with us in our weakness (Heb:4:25) as one who was a member of an oppressed people and who Himself was falsely accused and tried though He committed no wrongdoing. He will bring complete justice and make all things new (Rev 21:5).”
Other Resources:
Bryan Stevenson on the Frustration Behind the George Floyd Protests by Isaac Chotiner and Bryan Stevenson, The New Yorker. “The great evil of American slavery wasn’t the involuntary servitude; it was the fiction that black people aren’t as good as white people, and aren’t the equals of white people, and are less evolved, less human, less capable, less worthy, less deserving than white people.”
EDITORIAL: What I Said When My White Friend Asked for My Black Opinion on White Privilege by Lori Lakin Hutcherson, Good Black News. “What IS being asked of you is to acknowledge that white privilege DOES exist and to not only to treat people of races that differ from yours “with respect and humor,” but also to stand up for fair treatment and justice, to not let “jokes” or “off-color” comments by friends, co-workers or family slide by without challenge, and to continually make an effort to put yourself in someone else’s shoes, so we may all cherish and respect our unique and special contributions to society as much as we do our common ground.” (Warning: Some offensive language.)
Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more of Rooted Recommends: Racial Justice Resources. Please submit suggested resources to anna@rootedministry.com.
