“We live in a day where there’s a lot of information but I don’t know if it’s making us wiser” - Sho Baraka
Hey y’all. I wanted to share some of the resources I’ve been engaging lately as our world grapples with anti-Black racism. This is not a comprehensive list, instead this is what I’ve been taking in recent weeks. There is so much material out there, and there’s only so much we can read or listen to in any season.
I am spurred to ensure that the information I absorb sparks transformation, so it must be taken in slowly and considered thoughtfully. Here are some pieces I thoughtfully share with you.
Articles
CBC - 10 steps we can take toward a more equitable Canadian TV and film industry for BIPOC creatives
I remain curious about any examination of inequity in Canadian systems, as Canadians begin to re-evaluate the false narrative that ‘we’ are different from the United States. This list is not expounded on greatly, but for anyone in some form of organizational leadership, there should be some items you can adopt for your personal and professional practice.
Sportsnet - ‘I have to be a voice’: Why Blue Jays’ Anthony Alford took a knee
Arden Zwelling is a writer I respect greatly. That he chooses to open this story with a detailed account of Breonna Taylor’s murder is deliberate and effective. The boldness of bringing these issues into the Sportsnet universe defies the dismissive ‘stick to sports’ retort.
Sermon
Dr. David Ireland - Crying Out: Coaching Tips to Bridge Racial Barriers
Ireland uses Galatians 2 to examine the challenges facing a church that attempts to be multicultural. There is a big difference between multi-racial and multi-cultural congregations. This sermon, from Church of the City New York, does a fantastic job at challenging church members and church leaders towards the difficult work of building a multicultural community.
Podcast
Pass The Mic - Black Christians, Don’t Negotiate with Your Dignity
This one knocked me off my feet. What starts as a casual conversation between hosts Jemar Tisby and Tyler Burns rapidly blooms into an impassioned monologue about how churches marginalize requests for equity. Burns illuminates the “negotiation for how free black bodies are allowed to be” and it is a stunning display. Tisby discusses racial ‘gaslighting’ within the church context. If engaged, this conversation will open a lot of eyes and touch many hearts. Highly highly recommended.
Movies
A young father witnesses, and films, an incident of police violence. The narrative then splits, never focusing on the victim or perpetrator, but instead examining the far reaching consequences into society, demonstrating how these instances affect all of us. What I loved most about Reinaldo Marcus Green's film is that it focuses on the dilemma of our response to racial injustice. Speaking up will always cost us something. The viewer is challenged to count that cost. It’s a fascinating film and worthy of discussion.