Category: race

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Book Discussion Questions for Just Mercy, by Bryan Stevenson

Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson

 This is the true tale of an African American lawyer in the south fighting for the rights of death row inmates who were unjustly incarcerated. Stevenson illuminates the racial injustices that are happening not during slavery or the Civil Rights era, but RIGHT NOW.  It proves that we are not in post-racial times, but still living in the midst of rash injustice. This is the best book I read in 2016 and should be on your list of must-read books.

Discussion Questions:

(This is a very flexible guide for a book club to use as a spring board for discussing the book Just Mercy, by Bryan Stevenson. They can be skipped and discussed in any order).


1. How did you feel before you read this book?  How did you feel afterward?

 2. Describe the author’s style.  Was it effective?

 3. What was most shocking/sickening/saddening/surprising for you in this book?  Why?

 4. What did you want to know more about?

 5. Discuss some of the most memorable stories from each of the groups mentioned throughout the book: African American men, women, children, mentally ill, disabled, drug convicts.

6. What stood out to you most about Walter’s story?

7. In what ways did Mr. Stevenson himself experience prejudice?

8. What are some of our state laws about incarceration?  How can we find these out?

 9. What can we do personally to make a difference?

 10. How does Mr. Stevenson’s race impact your reading (and his writing) of this book?  How would it have been different if it had been written by a white man or woman?

 11. Would you recommend this book to others?  Why or why not?

***


 (You are welcome to use these for group discussion, as long as you attribute Leslie Verner.)

If you have read the book, I would love to hear some of your thoughts in the comments section! 

***

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***


Related Post: An Evening with Bryan Stevenson: Get Closer

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6 Things to Do When You Live on ‘White Island’

Your island is comfortable and for the most part it is safe. Let’s call it “White Island.”

Imagine you live on an island. Your island is small, but secure, and you have everything you need to survive. You have as much contact with the mainland as you want, but can switch off communication at will. You also have the freedom to leave the island to travel to the mainland if you wish. Your island is comfortable and for the most part it is safe.
Let’s call it “White Island.”
White Island is my home right now. My city is 93% white, the ten churches we have visited since moving here over a year ago have been 99% white and all of my neighbors are white. I am a stay-at-home mom of three children, four and under and never truly need to leave a five mile radius from my home unless I choose to. My portal to the outside world—the mainland–is a Smartphone with apps to read the news, listen to podcasts and stay in the social media stream. But that device also has an “off” button.
I can ignore the fact that there is a mainland if I choose to do so.
This is where many white people like me live. And when the news of the happenings “out there” on the mainland begin to disturb us, we simply shut down our portals for a little while so we can move on in peace with our quiet lives on White Island. We have the luxury of an “off” button.
But those who do not dwell on White Island do not have that privilege. They cannot tune out or turn off the news because they are living it.
I never realized I lived on White Island until a friend brought a black baby from the mainland to live on the island with us. It was only then that I realized her non-white son was treated differently than my white children. Soon, I began to stop tuning out and start tuning in to the pleas of those on the mainland. They had been calling out for a long time, but the stations I had frequented weren’t picking up their cries. It wasn’t until I began dialing in to different sources that didn’t originate with White Island that I began to hear a broader range of messages.
I cannot get off of this island right now. But that doesn’t mean I am powerless. And it doesn’t mean I must live in ignorance of the mainland. So what can those of us who feel stuck on White Island do?
1. Listen and learn.
Before we speak or act, those on the mainland have asked that we research the problem—with humility. Michelle Higgins said in a recent podcast that “Solidarity looks a lot like humility.” Our black sisters and brothers want us to get buried in their history, pain and struggle before we emerge. They will respect our silence at the beginning as we step down from our leading, teaching, and lecturing and take a seat in the row of desks for a while. So sit down, listen, take notes and do your homework.
2. Find friends who are different from you and visit the mainland.
We will live in greater solidarity with others as we notice that those who are different from us are also mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, sons and daughters. Tears, rage and joy are part of humanity. We will see this as we enter life with someone who is different from us and perhaps begin to empathize. Do you attend a gym, take your kids to a park or work with someone different from you? Don’t be weird, but do be intentional about pursuing a friendship with someone who doesn’t live on your island.
3. Move off the island.
Most places in our country have the coloring skills of a five-year-old who is content to keep solid colors in the lines of the coloring book. It’s time to develop our skills as an artist and dabble in the magnificence of a mixed pallet. This may require that we make plans to move off White Island all together. Find a diverse school for your children to attend, visit a new park, or look for a new church. Research the demographics of a neighborhood before buying a house and be intentional about seeking out diversity.
4. Use your platform.
How many lives do you, your spouse or your kids touch in a day? Who is in your square you interact with on a daily or weekly basis? What do you talk about? How can you cast light on topics some prefer to keep hidden in darkness for fear of offending? How can you use your voice in your particular slice of life to speak out and speak up for those who don’t have a voice?
5. Drench your everyday world in color.
How many people of color do you come across right there in your home? If you are a parent, do your children have books, dolls, decorations or games with people that look different from them? What about you? How diverse is your social media feed? What steps can you take to diversify your Facebook, Instagram or Twitter feeds? Who can you follow who will give you a fresh perspective from the mainland? If you are a reader, how many books have you read by people of color this year? Do you watch T.V. shows or movies or read magazines featuring people of color? The mainland is always reading about and watching stories of White Island, maybe it’s time for us to branch out.
6. Don’t tune out or turn off.

We on White Island must resist the urge to close our portals and pretend the problems on the mainland don’t exist. Yes, sometimes we need to step back, catch our breath and live small. But sometimes we need to gather courage and make space for the pain of other mommies, daddies, sisters, brothers, sons and daughters to hurt our hearts. Sometimes we must open our eyes even when we may prefer blindness.

***
Related Posts:

70+ Race Resources for White People 

The Ugly Truth about Diversity

I once was (color) blind, but now…

An Evening with Bryan Stevenson: Get Closer  

White People Are Boring

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Your island is comfortable and for the most part it is safe. Let’s call it “White Island.”
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An Evening with Bryan Stevenson: Get Closer

The crowd leapt to their feet as Mr. Stevenson took the stage.  He hadn’t even opened his mouth, and had already received a standing ovation.

Why?

Because this man’s story opens blind eyes. 

In his book, Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption, Bryan Stevenson shares about his experience working with men, women and children on death row. I have met more than one person who, after reading the book, looked down at their feet and, with tears in their eyes, whispered, “I didn’t know that African Americans are still treated this way. Until I read this, I didn’t realize.  But now what do I do?”

I had a similar response after reading Just Mercy this spring.  In fact, I was so moved by Mr. Stevenson’s story that I hauled my 12-day-old newborn across town to hear him speak a few weeks ago, frantically taking notes with one hand while nursing with the other.

The audience was made up of mainly white people over 50, though college students and a few people of color were present as well.  Across the aisle sat a man in his late 20’s with long hair, loose-fitting clothing and bare feet.  Beneath his chair was a cardboard box that was forced closed, leaving me wondering what was inside, though I forgot my curiosity as Mr. Stevenson began speaking.

He was as powerful a speaker as he is an author and he seamlessly wove stories, statistics and inspiration into a flag of justice that we almost felt strong enough to help wave as we exited the building at the end of the night.


He shared four things we could do to improve our capacity to change the world right where we are:

1. Get closer. 

“Get proximate to the problems instead of trying to solve them from a distance.” He expressed that we are too comfortable and do not see injustice because we are not close enough to see it.

2. Change the narratives that sustain inequality and injustice. 

“Fear and anger are the essential ingredients of oppression.”  He gave the example of calling drug addicts “criminals” and alcoholics people with a “disease.”  He said that these narratives are what imprison the downtrodden and empower the privileged.

3. Stay hopeful.

“Hopelessness is the enemy of justice.”  In spite of all the dire examples of vast injustice in the world, Mr. Stevenson also shared many inspiring stories of hope as he has worked toward change.
 
4. Be willing to do uncomfortable things.

“We have to judge ourselves by how we care for the poor.”  He said that this action point requires intentionality because our default is that we choose to be comfortable, but perhaps we need to move more into discomfort.  

He also spoke about how he has come to the realization that as we acknowledge that we ourselves are broken people, we will find that we have much more in common with the poor than we once thought. 

***


After his talk, Mr. Stevenson took questions from the crowd.  I was surprised when the man across the aisle from me padded up to the front with his cardboard box, setting it down by his bare feet as he waited patiently for his turn at the microphone.  When Mr. Stevenson turned to him, the man announced that he had gotten out of jail a week prior and that he wanted Mr. Stevenson’s help in going to the Supreme Court to fight for laws that would allow him to sleep outdoors.  He talked for a long time and I could tell that the crowd was getting fidgety.  He was taking up precious time for other more relevant questions.  I half expected an usher to quietly stand next to him and give him the signal that he was talking too long.

But instead of ridiculing him or rushing through his answer, Mr. Stevenson responded with humility, grace and respect.  He listened to this man’s story and said that he was absolutely willing to represent him.  While the rest of us were inwardly scoffing, Mr. Stevenson practiced what he had just preached and offered the man something the rest of us weren’t willing to give: dignity.

I was humbled and convicted.

In myself, I saw the Pharisees of Bible times, urging Jesus to move on and not stop for the lepers calling out His name, the woman kneeling to touch his cloak or the children hugging his knees. I saw myself looking for the high profile poor instead of noticing the needy right in front of me.

It is easy to say that we want justice for the poor as long as it is convenient and comfortable for us.  But when we become aware of our own powerlessness, judgment and prejudice, we want to hide away in our safe suburbs and write a check from a distance.

How far do you live from the poor, homeless, sick or oppressed?  What would it take for you to move out of your comfort zone into proximity of those you say you would like to help?

As a person who feels very insignificant in this season of life as far as world-changing goes, I walked out of that auditorium with a greater desire to not just notice injustice, but make practical moves towards the oppressed.  When we make decisions over the next few years about where we will buy a house and which schools we will choose to send our children to, I hope that we will not continue to hide away under the umbrella of “safety” or “good schools.”  Instead, I hope for the courage to live in such proximity to my suffering neighbor that I cannot ignore their cry any longer, because they will be right in my backyard.

***

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Related Posts:

70+ Race Resources for White People 

I Once Was (Color) Blind, but Now… 

When You Can’t Quit Your Job
 

Previous Post: In This Season (of Motherhood) 

Next Post: Frozen Manna {for SheLoves} 
 

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Monthly Mentionables {August}


I’m a little over 38 weeks preggers, so that is much on my mind these days.  Yesterday it took me 20 minutes to walk a little under one mile, going at a steady pace.  I now outweigh my husband and my children can’t sit on my lap.  I’m ready to have a baby instead of a belly.

But in the midst of trying to keep cool and stay sane as I chase around two other little ones, I’ve enjoyed some really great books, have written out my angsty thoughts and listened to some new podcasts in the midst of sorting baby clothes and starting projects I usually don’t have the energy to finish.

I’d love to hear what you’re learning and being entertained by this month, so be sure to drop a note in the comments!

Next month’s mentionables post should include funny looking newborn baby pics…;-)


Books

Assimilate or Go Home: Notes from a Failed Missionary on Rediscovering Faith by D.L. Mayfield

Check out my review of this book here.  If you are involved in cross-cultural work of any kind, then this book is a must-read!







Breath for the Bones: Art, Imagination and Spirit: A Reflection on Creativity and Faith, by Luci Shaw

This was the first book I have read by Luci Shaw and I couldn’t put it down.  Along the lines of one of my favorite books of all time, Walking on Water: Reflections on Faith and Art (Wheaton Literary Series), by Madeline L’Engle, Shaw reflects on the dissection of faith and art in such a beautiful and logical way.  It will be one of my new yearly reads, I am sure.  Very inspirational to those of us attempting to write or create.
 




Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth, by Ina May Gaskin 

Okay, though I admit I definitely read more than one line aloud to my husband saying, “Listen to this–this is hilarious!” (usually about the “ecstasy of childbirth” or the woman’s “parts” being referred to as “the gates of life”) this is still my favorite book about natural childbirth.  This was a re-read for me in preparation for baby #3 coming in a few weeks.  What I love most is the way she discusses the mind-body connection and the way childbirth is considered as a natural, beautiful occurrence instead of a medical and scary one.


 
Podcasts

Beautiful Writers

I have binge-listened to this podcast all month.  Two women interview writers and others involved with the publishing business about how they work, what works for them and what they’ve learned over the years in the business.  My favorites were with Marianne Williamson and Seth Godin (though I seriously listened to more than half of them and enjoyed many!).


The Liturgists

#37 The Enneagram
(Just took the test for the Enneagram and I think I’m a 3. Hard to be an “Achiever” AND a pregnant mom of littles.)  This show, though probably the longest podcast I’ve ever listened to at two hours, is a great overview of what the Enneagram is if you have never heard of it before!


Global Mom Show

If I could host my own podcast, this would be it.  Love this idea and have gotten some great tips about books to read, fair trade clothing to buy and just a general outlook on life as a mom who hopes to raise kids who look past their own backyard.

Back to the Basics and Blog Posts (This gives a good overview of what this show is about!)

Fair Trade, Fashion and Global Girlfriends with Stacey Edgar

Books for Global Moms with Anne Bogel

Living Barefoot with Nancy Traversy

God Centered Mom

This podcast was also new to me this month and I LOVED it. Though I listened to at least six of these, these were my favorites:

Calmly Parenting the Strong-Willed Child with Kirk Martin

Debunking Spiritual Leadership Myths with Jen Wilkin  
 

Relief Journal

#3 D.L. Mayfield (author of the book I mentioned above, Assimilate or Go Home)

#1 Marilyn Chandler McEntyre


Recipes

Slow Cooker Carnitas (All Recipes)
This was so good and incredibly easy.  I copied some of the comments and put the meat in the oven for 15 minutes at 400 just to brown the meat a bit more after it had cooked. I also threw together a salsa made of chopped purple onion, garlic, cilantro, lime and tomatoes.  Add some shredded cheese and put in warm tortillas and you have an amazing meal.  LOVE easy food.


Zucchini Rice Gratin (Smitten Kitchen)
Our neighbor gave us a GIANT zucchini, so I was excited to find this recipe to put it to use (we only used about 1/6 of it!).  This could have used a bit more salt, but other than that it was really good.  We ate it with some Italian sausages and that really made it, I think.

Crock Pot Chicken and Wild Rice Soup (Pinch of Yum)
I made the mistake of doubling this recipe, thinking I would be smart and save some soup for when the baby comes, but now I have about 4 extra containers in my freezer!  It was good, though a bit richer than I would have liked.  Next time I think I’ll use less butter and try it out with 1% milk instead of whole milk.  This will be a great soup for cold weather.


Thought-Provoking Articles from the Web

An Open Letter to the Parents of Well-Behaved Children, by Jillian Lauren for Huffington Post 

Children’s Books to Help Talk about Race with Kids 

Don’t Carpe Diem, by Glennon Doyle Melton for Huffington Post

How to Make Your Voice Sound Better So People Will Actually Listen to You, by Laura Vanderkam for Fast Company  (My hubby was interviewed for this article!)

My Lack of World-Changing Extracurriculars, by Megan Gahan for SheLoves

Pregnant with God, by Danielle Strickland for SheLoves

So you’re thinking of voting for a pro-choice candidate… by Rachel Held Evans at her blog

Ultimate Guide to Keeping Young Children with You at Church, at Living and Learning at Home

5 Actions White Educators Can Take to Help Make Schools Anti-Racist, by Jamie Utt for Everyday Feminism

Published Articles

I once was (color) blind, but now… for Altarwork

How Our Muslim Student Became Auntie Boo for SheLoves

In Case You Missed it at Scraping Raisins:
(Lots about pregnancy this month now that I’m in the final stretch–no pun intended…)

What My Pregnant Body is Teaching Me

When You Can’t Quit Your Job (a reflection on my time at the Simply Jesus conference I went to at the end of July)

 

The 37 Week Pep Talk for the (Scared) Waiting Mama

What have you been into this month?

***

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Previous Post:  A Fellow Failed Missionary {A Review of Assimilate or Go Home}

Next Post: 39 Weeks  ~ These Strange Days
 

Linking up with Leigh Kramer

 
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Books, podcasts, recipes and articles I've loved this month!
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Monthly Mentionables {July}

What a month. 

Doesn’t it feel a bit like fear is steering the ship? 

If you’ve forced your eyes, ears and heart open like I have in spite of longing to turn off the news, jump back in bed and binge on T.V., then you may be feeling like fear is delivering us straight into the darkness. 

But an image has helped me not to be overcome by hopelessness. Sitting on our back porch in the early hours of the morning recently, I re-read the familiar words of Psalm 139 about God searching me and knowing me, knowing when I sit and rise, etc.  But seemingly new words reached out from the page, grabbing my chin and speaking straight to my doubting face as David cried out to God:  

“Where shall I go from your Spirit?
    Or where shall I flee from your presence?
8 If I ascend to heaven, you are there!
    If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!
9 If I take the wings of the morning
    and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
10 even there your hand shall lead me,
    and your right hand shall hold me.
11 If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me,
    and the light about me be night,”
12 even the darkness is not dark to you;
    the night is bright as the day,
    for darkness is as light with you.”

And it hit me: God sees in the dark.  

He does not stumble blindly, knock into the coffee table or stub his toe.   

God has night vision. 

In fact, darkness is not even dark to Him, but is as bright as the day. We are never alone in the darkness.  Although we cannot see the way ahead, Someone is walking with us who can.

God has used some of the following books, podcasts and articles this month to encourage, challenge and grow me.  Many of them have been twinkling lights in the darkness.  I hope you find the time to click on some of the links and I’d love to read some of your recommendations in the comments section!
  


Books:


 Traveling Mercies: Some Thoughts on Faithby Anne Lamott

This was my first Anne Lamott book that I picked up at our local Little Free Library.  Irreverent and honest, Anne invites her readers on a refreshing faith journey that does not hide the bumps and bruises she receives along the way.  Having attended churches full of squeaky clean Christians most of my life (and having been one myself), I appreciated having a peek behind the curtain at how Jesus meets with other sisters and brothers before they get all cleaned up (and even when they don’t). 
Brennan Manning does it again and manages to combine extensive research, deep spiritual truths, an incredible vocabulary and jarring images to present a message of grace lived out by a life of tested faith.  I loved the chapter titled “Artists, Mystics and Clowns” because of my husband’s background in acting and my love of writing, but thoroughly enjoyed the entire book as I absorbed short passages with coffee in the wee hours of the morning this month.





Podcasts:

 A Mom’s Mission Field
This podcast was new to me this month.  The host, Tiffany Castleberry, brings on guests who do not believe that being a mom and following God’s call on your life are mutually exclusive.  I especially enjoyed the following episodes:

Flower Patch Farm Girl Blooms in the City: Shannan Martin 
I loved this interview with Shannan Martin and am looking forward to her new book coming out this fall called Falling Free: Rescued from the Life I Always Wanted.  She’ll also have an essay in this book full of other amazing writers called Soul Bare: Stories of Redemption by Emily P. Freeman, Sarah Bessey, Trillia Newbell and more, edited by Cara Sexton.

A Sweaty Conversation about Racial Reconciliation: Retha Nichole and Emily Thomas
Such a great conversation between two white women and an African American woman about race relations following the shootings earlier this month.

Following Your God Dreams while Raising a Family: Tricia Goyer
This was the first episode I listened to of this podcast and I loved the way the women talked about following God’s calling on your life in the midst of raising a family. 


Code Switch: Race and Identity, remixed
Extra: No Words (reflecting on the shootings of Philando Castile, Alton Sterling and the 5 policeman in Dallas)


Pass the Mic
I discovered this podcast the day after I published this popular post on race resources for white people and I really wish I had included it in the list! What I appreciate about this podcast is that not only are the hosts completely candid about discussing race in our country, they also come at it from the perspective of how a Jesus follower should learn and move forward when it comes to race issues in our country. Here were a few episodes that were especially helpful in filling in blanks for me:


Defining White Privilege

Defining Systemic Racism

Roundtable: How to Be a White Ally

Real Hurt, Real Hope: Racial Tension and Perseverance (reflecting on the shootings of Philando Castile, Alton Sterling and the 5 policeman in Dallas)


Shalom in the City with Osheta Moore
#14 Seeking Shalom for the Immigrant
Loved this interview with a woman married to a man from Guatemala and her experience working in immigration in America.

#16 Everyday Practices of Peace for the Homeless
If you’ve ever interacted with homeless people or are have questions about how we should think about homelessness in America, this interview with a woman who has worked in homeless ministries and public health for 20 years is a great source of further education in this area.


Village Church Sermons
Justice and Racial Reconciliation (from the week of the shootings of Philando Castile, Alton Sterling and the 5 policeman in Dallas)
This panel discussion was healing balm to my soul after that rough week.  I’m thankful for Jesus followers who are not afraid to have the hard conversations.


What Should I Read Next? with Anne Bogel
#31 Lifetime Favorite Books and reading for a living with Adam Verner
Everyone should listen to this episode featuring my hubby, audio book narrator, Adam Verner!  I’ve listened to Anne’s podcast since January and it dawned on me that my husband would be the PERFECT guest since he’s an audio book narrator and devours books even when he’s not working. He had a great conversation with Anne that I know you’ll love (though I’m slightly biased);-).


(No New Recipes This Month…did I mention that I’m 8 months pregnant…?)


Thought-Provoking Articles from the Web:

A Letter to My Son, (an African American man’s letter to his son), by Rev. Otis Moss III for Huffington Post

A Week from Hell, by Charles M. Blow for The NY Times

Delayed Kindergarten Enrollment Dramatically Reduces ADHD in Children, Study Shows for The Inquisitr  

Lacrae: Humility is the Key to Understanding Race Relations: Guest Essay, by Lecrae for Billboard 

[Love Looks Like] Choices, by Sarah Bessey

Misogyny in Missions, by Jonathan Trotter for A Life Overseas

My Husband Isn’t Called to Ministry, by Cara Meredith for Christianity Today

The Truth of Loneliness, by Liz Ditty for The Mudroom 

Verge Network 7 Part Series on Racial Justice

White Fragility: Why Its So Hard to Talk to White People about Racism, by Dr. Robin Diangelo for The Good Men Project

The 5 Truths Stay-at-Home and Working Moms Can Agree on, by Katelyn Beaty for Her.Menutics

10 Ways to Live Well, by Amy Young for SheLoves Magazine
 
38 Resources to Help Your Church Start Discussing Race Today by Missio Alliance 


Just for fun (language alert!)  

God Makes Animals (these are the types of things my husband finds on the Internet)



New (to me) Websites and Blogs:

Good Black News
This site is pretty self-explanatory and shares wonderful things that are happening in the African American community.  For example, this article mentioning that some black women will be acting in the movie adaptation of one of my favorite books, A Wrinkle in Time.

Reformed African American American Network
Along with offering the podcast, Pass the Mic, that I mentioned above, this site is a treasure trove of resources on race relations in America.

White Allies in Training
This site offers a ton of resources for white people looking for more information about racism and how they can be involved in being a bridge towards reconciliation in America.

A Life with Subtitles (blog for Sarah Quezada)
I heard about Sarah on this podcast about marrying an immigrant and working in immigration and ran straight over to her blog. This is a great blog for anyone working, living or loving in a cross-cultural setting. 

D.L. Mayfield (personal blog)
I am currently reading her book, Assimilate or Go Home: Notes from a Failed Missionary on Rediscovering Faith (due to be released in August), and really enjoying it!  More on that later;-)  I absolutely love her wry and honest writing style and can really relate to so much of what she writes about as she worked for years with refugees in America.


In Case You Missed it on Scraping Raisins:

70+ Race Resources for White People 
“It’s time.  

Maybe you read a news article on your Facebook feed or listened to a podcast and feel it’s time for you to finally DO something about the injustices in our nation.  

Perhaps it is time for that.   

But our African American sisters and brothers have asked that before we speak, we be sure that we have done something else first: educate ourselves...” continue reading    




I once was (color) blind, but now…
“As white people, we brag that we are “colorblind” and congratulate ourselves for being inclusive and tolerant. Because we don’t actively hate, abuse or reject those of another color personally, we would never call ourselves “racists.” We say we see everyone as the same and silently assume that everyone, deep down, is like us.


But as we boast that we are colorblind, what we are blind to is that color really does matter. People are treated certain ways simply because of the color of their skin.

My journey toward sight began as all breakdowns of prejudice inevitably must: through a relationship…” continue reading…




A Muslim in Our Home
“Perhaps the only difference between our Fourth and yours was that we spent ours with a devout Muslim who is currently living in our home, a close friend whom our children call “Auntie Boo.”  She lived with us for a year in Chicago and is now staying with us for a month after recently finishing her studies in Denver.  We invited her to celebrate the 4th of July at my parent’s house a few hours away in the middle of the Rocky Mountains…”  continue reading…   

 
~~~

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Next Post: When You Can’t Quit Your Job

Previous Post: “Open a Vein” {Thursday Thoughts for Writers} 

Linking up with Leigh Kramer: What I’m Into 
 
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Fight Injustice (offer what you have) {Thursday Thoughts for Writers}

"You have no idea how or when God is going to use the offering of your words."

I used to want to be a world-changer, but now I am a diaper-changer.  I used to travel to far-off lands and now I cringe when I think of taking my children to the grocery store.  I used to be a professional teacher and now I strap shoes on little feet, wipe yogurt off walls and lamely answer the question “Why don’t you know?” about a hundred times a day.  I used to live in another culture and speak another language and now I live, shop and worship in Homogeneous Land of All Same.  

I used to write in a journal with a metal lock, but now I write on the internet for strangers to rifle through my thoughts as if they are sifting through my bedroom closet. 

Lately, as the world seems to be clattering down around us (and I need to propel my 8-month-pregnant body to make dinner for our family of four with no groceries in the house), I literally want to curl up on the couch, pull our plush throw blanket over my head, close my eyes and disappear.  I tried it yesterday, actually, and we eventually ended up sharing three grilled cheese sandwiches and eggs for dinner.

So when I start reading about not being silent in the face of injustice, speaking out, and standing up, it makes me feel…tired.  It reminds me of those over-worked disciples warily looking over the fields of thousands of people and saying to Jesus, “It’s late. Should we send them away for dinner?” And gentle, irrational Jesus calmly saying to them, “No, dears. YOU give them something to eat.”  They managed to scrounge up a meal for thousands from one little boy‘s contribution of five loaves of bread and two fish.  Jesus made much of their little.

I’ve written about it several times already, but I was recently moved by Lisha Epperson’s piece called “One Small Square” because she broke down our responsibility to confront injustice into an attainable goal that I would summarize like this: do what you can, where you are, with what you have.  We offer our meager loaves and fish. 

Fight Injustice (offer what you have) {Thursday Thoughts for Writers}

The average person doesn’t write on the Internet other than the occasional Facebook outburst, but those of us with writing blood must spill it online for all to see.  And whether we have 25 readers a day or 25,000, whether we write books and publish for big-name magazines, or write for free, we have a platform to launch our voice that others do not have.  And because of that, we have a responsibility to stand up and speak out–no matter how tired, weary or befuddled we are.   

For the past six months I‘ve been digging into the race issues in America.  Many days I‘ve driven through the mountains of Colorado after my kids have fallen asleep in the car, listening to podcasts on racial injustice and weeping.  As a white stay-at-home mom living in a nearly all-white area of America, it seems ironic that God would break my heart at a time when I don’t even interact with people of color.  And yet less than a year ago, one thing led to another and I started this little blog, opened a Twitter account and started a business Facebook page.

So when I read about Alton Sterling and Philando Castile and saw that other white people like me were beginning to see and wanting to get on board with our African American sisters and brothers, I published my simple offering–what I’ve been learning.  In less than two weeks, that post has been visited nearly 60,000 times and 170 books on racial issues have been purchased on Amazon. God has multiplied my offering and used my bread and fish to feed hungry people. 

I’m not writing this to brag, but to encourage you.  You have no idea how or when God is going to use the offering of your words.  Like me, you might have a little blog with just a few readers.  But let your voice ring out into what feels like the void.  Offer your loaves and fish to God and to the masses and wait.  Perhaps God will do a miracle with your simple offering.

~~~

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Previous Post: ‘The Invention of Wings’ Book Club Discussion Questions 

Linking up with Grace and Truth

On (most) Thursdays this year, I’ll share thoughts, tips and inspiration for writers.  I’m not an expert, but hope to seek personal encouragement in this art and want to share with anyone who’s also trying to find their way as a writer.  These short posts will come from books, articles, the Bible, my own thoughts, and other people.  If you’re new to the series, check out the posts you missed here. Please introduce yourself in the comments–I’d love to meet you and hear your thoughts on writing.

Happy writing!
Leslie

"You have no idea how or when God is going to use the offering of your words."
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‘The Invention of Wings’ Book Club Discussion Questions

What happens when you cross a former teacher with a blog? You get some very nerdy academic shenanigans going on like book discussion questions. This was a list of questions I used for our first book club discussion of The Invention of Wings, by Sue Monk Kidd.  I thought it might benefit those of you who may not have the time or desire to channel their inner middle school language arts teacher like I do.

Summary:
'The Invention of Wings' Book Club Discussion QuestionsThe Invention of Wings is written from the perspective of one white woman from a slave-owning family in South Carolina and the African American attendant she was “given” as a girl. The chapters alternate between these points of view and walk us through their lives as the United States begins to awaken to the injustices of slavery. The themes regarding race, women’s rights and the role of history and religion in the formation of our laws are discussions that are still applicable around our living room, at bars and certainly on the Internet today. Packed with imagery and symbolism, this book provided a great discussion for our first book club.  I would certainly recommend that you explore its depths with a friend or two.

 

Questions for discussion: 

 (As a leader, just skip around to follow the flow of the discussion.  We probably only talked about half of them, though we spent more time on the questions about specific passages.)

1. Did you like the book overall? What did you like/not like about it?

2. Did anything confuse you? Do you have any questions?

3. What surprised you?

4. Which emotions did the book bring out in you?

5. Sue Monk Kidd used many objects as symbols for various deeper ideas. What do you think these stood for: quilts/the story quilt, the button (97, 277), feathers/birds (228, 236, 303), the bathtub (115), thread, and the tree (84)?

6. What were some of the major themes of the book?

7. Discuss the following characters: Handful, Sarah, Mauma, Angelina, Sarah’s parents, Israel, Denmark, Sky, others? What did you admire, dislike, find surprising or meaningful about them?

8. Discuss some of the following passages (read the paragraphs before and after for context):

a. p. 54 “I didn’t know for sure whether Miss Sarah’s feelings came from love or guilt.”

b. p. 89 “I’d said, ‘I’m sorry, Handful, I know how you must feel.’ It seemed to me I didn’t know what it felt to have one’s liberty curtailed, but she blazed up at me. “So we just the same, me and you? That’s why you the one to shit in the pot and I’m the one to empty it?’”

c. p. 194 “To remain silent in the face of evil is itself a form of evil.”

d. p. 210 “My body might be a slave, but not my mind. For you, it’s the other way round.” (also on p. 200).

e. Down a bit further on p. 210 “How does one know the voice is God’s? I believed the voice bidding me to go north belonged to him, though perhaps what I really heard that day was my own impulse to freedom. Perhaps it was my own voice. Does it matter?”

f. p. 275 “She leaned toward me. ‘Life is arranged against us, Sarah. And it’s brutally worse for Handful and her mother and sister. We’re all yearning for a wedge of sky, aren’t we? I suspect God plants these yearnings in us so we’ll at least try and change the course of things. We must try, that’s all.”

g. p. 288 Sarah’s choice between marriage and vocation. “Wouldn’t I, wouldn’t we be enough for you?’ he said. ‘You would be a wonderful wife and the best of mothers. We would see to it that you never missed your ambition.’”

h. p. 295 “I longed for it in that excruciating way one has of romanticizing the life she didn’t choose. But sitting here now, I knew if I’d accepted Israel’s proposal, I would’ve regretted that, too. I’d chosen the regret I could live with best, that’s all. I’d chosen the life I belonged to.”

9. Were there any other specific parts you’d like to talk about with the group?

10. What did you think about the ending?

11. What did you learn? Did this book change you in any way?

Bonus Questions:

12. Were Sarah and Handful really “friends”? Why or why not?

13. Who was the most “free” in the book?

14. If you created your own story quilt, what are a few of the squares that would be on it?

15. What role did religion play in the book?

16. Did you like the way the book was written from both Handful and Sarah’s perspectives? What did this add to the story?

17. Do you think Sarah should have married Israel?

18. How did the fact that the author of this book is a white woman affect your reading of the book? Do you think an African American woman would have written it differently? If so, how?

19. If you read the author’s note, did you agree with the changes Sue Monk Kidd made in the facts?

20. How is this an appropriate book for our times even though it was written about a time 180 years ago?

~~~

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~~~ 

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Previous Post: Mourning and the Duty to Delight 

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Mourning and the Duty to Delight


A collective heaviness is caving in on us.  With terrorism striking even holy Islamic sites, countries advising their citizens not to travel to the U.S. or wear traditional clothing here, many churches and Christian institutions now urging their members to rush out to get concealed carry permits, and people of color afraid to leave their homes lest they be pulled over for a driving infraction only to be shot in cold blood, fear has become an epidemic.
Fear is creeping in, over, through, and around us and its darkness is strangling the light.  Can you feel it?
Civilians cower in a society where we are vulnerable to being gunned down even in shopping malls, movie theaters, night clubs, peaceful protests, church prayer meetings and elementary schools.

Officers who have vowed to protect, defend and secure our safety are murdered, but cringe when they hear of yet another cop that has dragged their once heroic reputation into the mire. 

Politicians bumble along with empty words.

People of color cry out “See! Do you see NOW?  When are you going to get it?”

Some white people are learning to live with new-found sight and are begging for something to DO (which, if we’re honest, feels about as useful as dad putting the proverbial pot of water on to boil while the woman writhes in labor pains).
And the majority of whites still choose to log out of Facebook and news apps or switch off the T.V. to ignore what only makes them feel powerless and guilty, because “What can I, a stay-at-home mom, financial advisor, or construction worker actually do to help anyway?”
We are grasping for an elusive hope, wrestling with despair and choking for fresh air.  We either let anger crush us or we take the easy way out and run away, hide and pretend the suffering doesn’t exist.  I know.  I’m a recovering runaway myself.   
But there is another way.
Gregory Boyle is an American Jesuit priest who has spent the past 25 years working in one of the most gang-riddled areas of the United States.  He has buried more than one hundred gang members over the course of his time in L.A.—often just as they have begun to clean up their lives.   He has had every reason to despair and lose hope.  In fact, it was after being diagnosed with cancer that he finally decided to write a book about his experiences.   Yet his memoir, Tattoos on the Heart, includes an entire chapter not on hopelessness, but on delight. 
He says,
“Dorothy Day loved to quote Ruskin, who urged us all to the ‘Duty to Delight.’ It was an admonition, really, to be watchful for the hilarious and heartwarming, the silly and the sublime.  This way will not pass again, and so there is a duty to be mindful of that which delights and keeps joy at the center, distilled from all that happens to us in a day” (p. 148).
I admit that I’ve judged those on social media that have seemed to go on with their daily lives and continue to post pictures of their kid’s messy first-food faces, family vacations, ridiculous memes and silly quotes during a week when much of America has been in mourning.  And yet perhaps this is their way of coping while so much of the world has been paralyzed by grief and fear.
Last week after watching the video of Philando Castile bleeding to death in his car while his fiance’s four-year old daughter sat in the back of the car and a cop’s shaky gun spoke to the world’s horrified onlookers, I found solace not in taking to the streets protesting, writing inflammatory Facebook messages or canvasing my neighborhood with #Blacklivesmatter pamphlets.   
Instead, I eased my 8-month-pregnant body into a lawn chair in our backyard as my two and four-year-old frolicked around shirtless in the silently drifting cottonwood seeds.  My hand on my belly, my unborn son twisted and turned and I amusedly watched my bump ripple with life.  I lay my head back, closed my eyes, and drank in the musical laughter of my innocent children and allowed the summer Colorado sun to press her hot hand on my face.  And just as a duty is sometimes perfunctorily done, I dutifully gave thanks for that solitary moment.        
Thomas Merton writes, “No despair of ours can alter the reality of things, or stain the joy of the cosmic dance which is always there…”  There is delight to be had.  It is our duty to notice and give thanks for it even when it is the last thing we feel like doing.  It is our duty to delight.
A music director sings this song in dark days,
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains quake at is swelling pride.  There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy dwelling places of the Most High.  God is in the midst of her, we will not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns.  The nations made an uproar, the kingdoms tottered; He raised His voice, the earth melted.  The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold.  Selah.”  Psalm 46: 1-7
God is still in our midst.  He is with us.  He is our stronghold.  His streams of gladness cut through our weary land.  Selah.  Pause and rest in that truth.
We have a duty not to run away, bury our heads in the ground or shield ourselves from suffering just because we don’t like how it makes us feel.  How can we love when we have our eyes squeezed shut?  Don’t turn off the news, but sit with it, internalize it, and then talk to God about it.  Is there anything He wants you do?  
It is our duty to see.   
And we have a duty to act when it is in our power to do so.
But we also have a duty to delight.  And it is a beauty-from-ashes kind of delight.  A resurrection song that rings out only as we die to our self-centeredness and the world’s empty promises of peace.  Ours is a peace in spite of, not because of.  It’s a joy that skims along the surface of the storm, catching the wind, riding it and finding that—amazingly–it’s possible not to sink after all.  But this is only through hope in Someone that keeps us from being trampled by fear. 
In the hours before Jesus is crucified, He speaks these words to his followers, “Therefore you too have grief now; but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you” (Jn. 16:22).
No one.  Nothing.  Will take your joy away from you.  Do you believe that?
Friends, our God is stronger.  Hatred and fear cannot steal our joy, quench our love or extinguish our light.  Our duty is to keep our eyes pried open even in the pain and do what we can in our communities to alleviate suffering and injustice.  But it is also our duty—whether we feel like it our not–to delight.  

~~~

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~~~ 

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The Invention of Wings Book Club Discussion Questions

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I once was (color) blind, but now…

70+ Race Resources for White People 

"We are grasping for an elusive hope, wrestling with despair and choking for fresh air. We either let anger crush us or we take the easy way out and run away, hide and pretend the suffering doesn’t exist. I know. I’m a recovering runaway myself. But there is another way..."
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I once was (color) blind, but now…


"...as we boast that we are colorblind, what we are blind to is that color really does matter. People are treated certain ways simply because of the color of their skin."
I shifted my feet as we stood in the slow, snaking security line at the Denver airport. Reaching down to remove my sandals and place them on the conveyor belt, I had the thought I’ve often had in my years of traveling, I would make an outstanding criminal. The exact opposite of those who are usually profiled, my blond hair, white skin and female gender provide the invisibility cloak every terrorist longs to hide behind. I would make an excellent spy.

Confessing this private thought implicates me–not as a covert criminal, but as someone who enjoys certain privileges because of my appearance. I never drive around at night wondering if the police are going to pull me over. I’m not afraid that I’ll be picked up for shoplifting. Being unjustly accused is not something that I worry about and I’m convinced I would be let off easily even if I did commit a crime. I trust the system.

I write this not to brag, but to confess. Because I’m ashamed. I clutch my whiteness to myself as a safety net and squeeze my eyes shut to the injustices of those who do not have this privilege. And it’s time to change.

And so I’ve been reading, watching, listening, following people of color on social media and forcing my eyes open. The more I see the heart-rending, harrowing injustices in the U.S., the more I’m aware of the errors not only in society, but in myself. I am a part of the problem.

As white people, we brag that we are “colorblind” and congratulate ourselves for being inclusive and tolerant. Because we don’t actively hate, abuse or reject those of another color personally, we would never call ourselves “racists.” We say we see everyone as the same and silently assume that everyone, deep down, is like us.

But as we boast that we are colorblind, what we are blind to is that color really does matter. People are treated certain ways simply because of the color of their skin.

My journey toward sight began as all breakdowns of prejudice inevitably must: through a relationship. My friend and I sat sipping tea as our three-year-old sons boisterously played together in the living room. We discussed common mom woes such as which preschool to send our sons to, potty training and how to encourage longer sleep. But then my friend, a white woman like myself, tiptoed onto unfamiliar ground as she shared some fears that were unique to her experience, because her adopted son is African American.

She has already considered coaching her son on how to interact with police and other authority figures. Right now, he is an adorable little boy with gorgeous hair and a winning smile, but she already dreads the day when a white woman will look at him and clutch her purse or intentionally cross the street to avoid him. She knows she will have to teach him to treat authority with respect and to always show his hands. And he will never be allowed to play with a toy gun in public.

Talking to her made me realize how naïve I’ve been. I’ve never once thought of training my son in these ways. I rubbed my eyes and wondered if this disparity has been here all along and if so, how have I not noticed it before?

There’s a story in the Bible where a blind man begs for Jesus to heal him[1]. Jesus leans down, scoops up a handful of mud and smears it over his eyes before telling him to wash in a nearby pool of water. This is the stage of recovery I am at–stumbling and begging for Jesus to finish restoring my sight and point me toward the clear pool. But I must allow Him to continue rubbing mud in my eyes. It’s this stinging mud of discovery that’s making me whole.

The activist, Austin Channing Brown, tells about when she first toured Civil Rights sites and she and her classmates’ eyes were opened to the injustice embedded in America’s history[2]. A classmate stood up and gave a speech to the others on the bus. “Now that we know all of this, doing nothing is no longer an option,” she announced to the group.

Now that I see more clearly, walking around in blindness is no longer an option. But what can I—a white, minivan-driving mom in the suburbs–do?

So far, fiery rage has been my first response. I’m angry at the history, enraged at “the system,” livid about the judges, politicians and law enforcement that seem to perpetuate this injustice[3]. I hate myself for my ignorance and inability to change anything. The flames of injustice are searing into my soul like an uncontrolled wildfire.

At the commencement speech for The University of Denver law department I attended last week, four graduating students shared the hopelessness they felt in being confronted with glaring injustice and the inability of the law to overcome those injustices[4]. But one optimistic student declared, “Anger is fire and fire is energy.” So I write this to blow on the flame and fan it into fire in my heart and yours. Because as others like me begin to feel the heat, perhaps we’ll beg for sight and be healed of our blindness. And a person with sight is much more capable of fighting battles than a blind one.

And so I tune my heart to hear, learn, watch, confess and acknowledge my role. I seek out relationships with those who are different from me, haul my kids to diverse parks on the opposite side of the city, and keep rubbing this stinging mud of horrendous injustice into my eyes until I see clearly and can walk forward. I write, talk (okay, rant), pray, read, share stories, educate my children and vote. I feed the fire so it becomes a constructive energy instead of a destructive devastation.

Gregory Boyle states in Tattoos on the Heart, “We have a chance, sometimes, to create a new jurisdiction, a place of astonishing mutuality, whenever we close both eyes of judgement and open the other eye to pay attention[5].”

It’s time to start paying attention.

 

 

[1]John 9: 1-12
[3]Especially after reading the book, Just Mercy, by Bryan Stevenson
[4] http://www.law.du.edu/index.php/student-affairs/commencement
[5]Boyle, Gregory. Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion. New York: Free Press, 2010, p. 136.  

~~~

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70+ Race Resources for White People

70+ Race Resources for White People

It’s time.  

Maybe you read a news article on your Facebook feed or listened to a podcast and feel it’s time for you to finally DO something about the injustices in our nation.  

Perhaps it is time for that.   

But our African American sisters and brothers have asked that before we speak, we be sure that we have done something else first: educate ourselves.     

It‘s not the job of the African American community to teach white people about racism, so we must intentionally and humbly lean in, listen and learn how white culture is killing black lives.  Specifically, they want us to grasp our role in the visible and invisible structures that are threatening to crush them.  


The following list of resources is far from exhaustive, but will serve as a springboard for those who want to learn more about racism in America right now. Most of the resources are current and ones I’ve run across in the past six months, but do not include news events or historical documents.  

Though I‘ve read all the articles and listened to the podcasts in this post, I’m still working my way through the list of books, all of which come highly recommended by others.  Please add additional resources in the comments section of this post.   

 

 

70+ Race Resources for White People

 

Podcasts

The Liturgists 
Episode 34–Black & White: Racism in America 
(If you only have time to listen to one podcast from this list, I would recommend this one.  It’s nearly two hours, but it’s so packed with insight that you’ll want to listen again.) 

Code Switch: Race and Identity, Remixed 
Can We Talk about Whiteness? 

On Being (with Krista Tippet)  
Michelle Alexander–Who We Want to Become: Beyond the New Jim Crow

John A. Powell: Opening the Question of Race to the Question of Belonging 

The Practice 
Stories of Resurrection in Race 

Seminary Dropout 
Austin Channing Brown 

Deidra Riggs on Women of Color Writers, the Church, and More
 
Jo Saxton on Post-Christendom, Discipleship, and Being a Woman of Color
 
Michelle Higgins on That Sermon at Urbana (Here is the talk that this is about: Michelle Higgins) 

This American Life
Part I:  The Problem We All Live With 

Part II:  The Problem We All Live With 
(On segregation/integration in schools.) 

Videos:

Michelle Higgins, Urbana 2015  

How Parents Talk to Their African American Sons about Police

  

On the Web:

Talking to Our Kids about Race: 

How to Talk to Kids about Race and Racism 

Like Me, Like You Kids 
A place to buy toys and decorative items for kids that reflect diversity. From the site: “Our hope is to curate beautiful products that allow children of color to see themselves in the art, books and toys they interact with daily. We also hope that children of all shades would grow up appreciating the gift of diversity – like me, like you.”
 
Raising Race Conscious Children 

12 Books Featuring Black Fathers (for all ages)

 28 Black Picture books that Aren’t About Boycotts, Buses or Basketball

 50+ Picture Books about Mixed Race Families 

In the Church:

Why Jesus’ Skin Color Matters, by Christena Cleveland for Christianity Today

It’s Not a Multicultural Church if… by Starlette McNeill at Raceless Gospel 

 When Christians Won’t Say #BlackLivesMatter by Kevin Wright at Huffpost

Understanding White Privilege:

How White Privilege Affects 8 People of Color on a Day-to-Day Basis, by Paige Tutt for Bustle 

I’m White, but I Married the Son of a Black History Icon–And This is What I Discovered about Color, by Cara Meredith at For Every Mom  

On a Plate: A Short Story about Privilege   

The Problem with Saying ‘All Lives Matter,’ by Tyler Huckabee for Relevant Magazine 

When You’re Accustomed to Privilege, Equality Feels Like Oppression, by Chris Boeskool for Huffington Post 

White Privilege, Explained in One Simple Comic (language alert!)

White Privilege: Lessons from a White Mama of Black Children by Christy Richardson at Elephant Journal 

White Privilege and What We’re Supposed to Do About It, by Kristen Howerton at her blog, Rage Against the Minivan

**White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack, by Peggy McIntosh  
(This checklist is used all over the country in college classes to teach about white privilege). 

Black Womanhood:

The Recipe: A Reflection on Black Womanhood by Austin Channing Brown at her blog 

4 Things ‘LEMONADE’ Teaches Us About Black Womanhood by Courtney Hall Lee at Sojo.net

White Fragility:

Why White People Freak Out When They’re Called Out About Race, by Sam Adler-Bell for Alternet

“Dear White People, I wish you knew…”

The Heartbreaking Reality of Raising Black Children in America, by Jacalyn Wetzel for the Huffington Post

I Used to Lead Tours at a Plantation. You Won’t Believe the Questions I Got about Slavery., by Margaret Biser for Vox

On Race, Rights & Raising a Black Son: An Interview with Rachel Yantis at Scraping Raisins

Out of Sight, Out of Mind: Why White Moms Need to Care about Murdered Black Children, by Danielle S 

Ten Things White People Need to Quit Saying, by Melody Moezzi for Huffington Post  

To the White Parents of My Black Son’s Friends, by Maralee 

What You Can Do:

70+ Race Resources for White People

 
One Small Square, by Lisha Epperson for The Mudroom  (The Mudroom did an entire series on race in June of 2016 that was fabulous.) 

What You Can Do Right Now About Police Brutality, by Ijeoma Oluo for Huff Post Blog  

The Case for Reparations, by Ta-Nehisi Coates for The Atlantic 

Ok, White Folks, Here’s What You Can Really Do to Help, by Pastor Jonathan Brooks 

The Ugly Truth about Diversity at Scraping Raisins

Books

A Different Mirror: A History of Multicultural America

Between the World and Me

The Cross and the Lynching Tree

Divided by Faith: Evangelical Religion and the Problem of Race in America 

Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption

Let Nobody Turn Us Around: An African American Anthology

More than Just Race: Being Black and Poor in the Inner City (Issues of Our Time)  

The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness 

The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America’s Great Migration

Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria: And Other Conversations About Race
 
 
People/Blogs to Follow on Twitter or Facebook:

These voices–both white and people of color–are bravely speaking out about racism in our country.  If you subscribe to their blogs, follow them on Twitter or “like” their pages on Facebook, then you’ll be sure to always be kept abreast of the latest that is going on in the African American community.

*active on Twitter

**active on Facebook 

**A Musing Maralee

Austin Channing Brown

*Broderick Greer  

*Shay Stewart-Boulay/Black Girl in Maine

Danielle S/Mamademics

Deidra Riggs

Dr. Brenda Salter McNeil

Drew G. I. Hart  

*Jasmine Banks 

Jennifer/Baby Making Machine  

Jo Saxton

Jon Greenberg

Judy Wu Dominick 

**Kristen Howerton/Rage Against the Minivan

Lisha Epperson

 **Latasha Morrison

  
Online Journals:

Ebony

Huff Post Black Voices

 The Root

Find a long list of news sources here

Facebook Group:

 Be the Bridge  (also a website)


 Additional Lists of Resources:

Curriculum for White Americans to Educate Themselves on Race and Racism–From Ferguson to Charleston 

Racial Reconciliation Resources (from First Free Church, Chicago) 

This list barely scratches the surface of the resources available, but I hope that these passionate voices will start you on your journey toward self-education in matters of race and racism. 

Feel overwhelmed by the vastness of the problem? 

It helps to remember that though the nation is a quilt of many squares, you are only responsible to do your part in toppling racism by “tending to your one small square“–that corner of the world God has placed you in for such a time as this (Lisha Epperson).   

~~~

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~~~

Next Posts: I once was (color) blind, but now…

Mourning and the Duty to Delight 

Previous Post: A Muslim in Our Home

Related Posts:

31 Days of #WOKE

The Ugly Truth about Diversity

On Race, Rights & Raising a Black Son: An Interview with Rachel Yantis 

Note: This post contains affiliate links. If you click on a book and buy it through Amazon, you will not be charged extra, but I will receive a very tiny commission.

~~~

 

  

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