STRUCTURAL RACISM

Dismantling structural racism involves breaking down the laws, policies, practices and structures that reinforce and perpetuate discrimination, bias, prejudice and oppression of “people of color.”
Racism is anti-Christian. In 2016, the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) approved a comprehensive churchwide anti-racism policy called “Facing Racism: A Vision of the Intercultural Community.” The policy states:
Racism is a lie about our fellow human beings, for it says that some are less than others. It is also a lie about God, for it falsely claims that God favors parts of creation over the entirety of creation. Because of our biblical understanding of who God is and what God intends for humanity, the PC(USA) must stand against, speak against and work against racism. Anti-racist effort is not optional for Christians. It is an essential aspect of Christian discipleship, without which we fail to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Structural racism is not only the “opposite of what God intends for humanity,” but is also an example of how sin is systemic rather than simply personal. As the PC(USA)’s anti-racism policy states, “Reformed theology offers a nuanced understanding of sin. Calvin did not understand sin to be simply an individual belief, action, or moral failing (Calvin, 1960). Rather, he viewed sin as the corporate state of all humanity. It is an infection that taints each of us and all of us. No part of us — not our perception, intelligence, nor conscience — is unclouded by sin.”
Psalm 14:3 and Romans 3:10 remind us, “There is no one just, not even one.” The PC(USA)’s policy also reminds us that this realization “does not mean that human beings are awful. Rather, it means that we must have humility about our own righteousness, and that we must cling to the grace of God in Jesus Christ.”
While the focus of Matthew 25 is on racial oppression, the intersectionality of racial oppression against other oppressed groups — including women, LGBTQIA+ people, and people who are disabled — is a vital consideration. We encourage Presbyterians to include efforts to combat discrimination and oppression of these groups under the rubric of racism.

READ

A Prayer in a Time of Anger, Unrest and Injustice, by PCUSA

Speak Up! Responding to Everyday Bigotry, by Southern Poverty Law Center

RACE - the power of an Illusion, by California Newsreel

Ahmaud Arbery Holds Us Accountable, by Jim Barger, Jr.

21 Racial Microaggressions You Hear On A Daily Basis, by Heben Nigatu

White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack, by Peggy McIntosh

Guide to Allyship, by Amelie Lamont

Dear White Parents of My Black Child’s Friends: I Need Your Help, by Maralee Bradley

What White Children Need To Know About Race, by Ali Michael and Eleanora Bartoli

Caught Up In God, by Willie James Jennings

Who gets to be afraid in America?, by Ibram X. Kendi

White Privilege, The Thoughtful Christian

What Is White Privilege, Really?, by Cory Collins

What is Systemic Racism

WATCH

VIDEOS

What is implicit bias? (2 min)

Am I biased? (3 min)

Race, Ethnicity, Nationality and jellybeans (3 min)

Stop Shooting Us, Please (3 min)

Before you call the cops (3 min)

Debunking Myths about Race (3 min)

Racism is Real (3 min)

A conversation about growing up black (5 min)

Intergroup Anxiety: Can you try too hard to be fair? (5 min)

Systemic Racism Explained (5 min)

50 states, 50 different ways of teaching America’s past (6 min)

The disturbing history of the suburbs (6 min)

Seeing White Fragility (6 min)

Implicit Association Test (10 min)

What does it mean to be racially literate? (10 min)

Do kids see race? (10 min)

How to deconstruct racism, one headline at a time (16 min)

How to overcome our biases? Walk boldly toward them (18 min)

Weaponizing white privilege (video)

Weaponizing white privilege (article)

MOVIES

The Power of an Illusion (PBS documentary)

13th, Netflix documentary (1 hr 40 min)

Selma (2 hr 2 min)

Hidden Figures (2 hr 6 min)

Just Mercy (2h 17min)

The Hate U Give (2 hr 52 min)

LISTEN

You cannot divorce race from immigration (6 min)

How does racism affect your health? (12 min)

If you see racism, say racism (22 min)

PODCASTS

Code Switch

Black Like Me

Turning the Lens: Seeing White

Pod Save the People

NOTICE

Once people start to learn about white privilege and America’s systems of oppression through history, they often ask, “Why didn’t I see this sooner?” It’s easy to overlook what we’re not looking for. Once you understand the phenomenon of selective noticing, take yourself on a noticing adventure.

Test your Awareness

Watch TV tonight, then ask yourself:

Who is and is not represented in ads?

What is the racial mix of the main characters in your favorite TV shows?

Think about the last five books you read.

What is the racial mix of the authors?

How were characters of color portrayed compared to characters who were white?

Think back to a typical week pre-pandemic.

What was the the racial composition of the people around you?

What percentage of the day were you able to be with people of you same racial identity?

Notice your neighborhood and surrounding community.

How is housing arranged?