Dismantling Racism

The Episcopal Church is committed to the work of racial reconciliation. In collaboration with the Diocese of Western Michigan, our Dismantling Racism Commission works to facilitate the conversation and invite everyone to more.

AN INVITATION

Using the vision of Becoming Beloved Community, we frame a path for Episcopalians to address racial injustice and grow as a community of reconcilers, justice-makers, and healers who share a passion for the dream of God. Because this is the work of spiritual formation, and not simply completing a training or implementing a set of programs, we encourage individuals and congregations to embrace the journey ahead as a long-term commitment. It may be helpful to imagine a labyrinth as you reflect, act, and reflect again. After all, on the road toward reconciliation and healing, we travel around corners, make sharp turns, pass fellow travelers, and double back into quadrants we have indeed visited before, each time discovering a fresh revelation or challenge.

A workshop held in Grand Rapids in 2018 welcomed Heidi Kim from The Episcopal Church to learn about becoming the Beloved Community. 

LEARNING & TRAININGS

The sin of racism pervades our society. Our diocesan-sponsored workshops examine the concept of racism – how it is embedded in our culture, structures, and unconscious biases. We will examine our own role in the maintenance of systems of privilege. Come prepared to learn and to engage in dialogue with fellow participants.

At this time there are no scheduled workshops.

RESOURCES FOR ANTI-RACISM

The work of dismantling racism and becoming anti-racist requires ongoing practice and study for ourselves and within our own communities. The Dismantling Racism Commission recommends to our dioceses these specific resources. 

America’s Original Sin: Racism, White Privilege, and the Bridge to a New America by Jim Wallis (View on Amazon) 

Tears We Cannot Stop: A Sermon to White America by Michael Eric Dyson (View on Amazon)

Waking up White: And Finding Myself in the Story of Race by Debby Irving (View on Amazon)

White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk about Racism by Robin DiAngelo (View on Amazon)

White Rage: The Unspoken Truth of Our Racial Divide by Carol Anderson (View on Amazon) 

The Episcopal Church – Becoming Beloved Community –Access Resources 

The Episcopal Church – Sacred Ground – Access Resources

The Absalom Jones Center for Racial Healing – Learn More