I sit in an unusual position. I have white privilege because of my parents, but experience racism. There are also four black humans on this planet whom I’ve mothered under my roof–two of them are now men. The conversations the greater public has during times such as these are not conversations our family has the privilege of setting aside once the media storm dies down.
But I know I still have work to do and want to be a part of quieting other noise this week to listen more intently to and amplify melanated voices.
Honestly, I was frozen on Monday wondering what to do next and where to lead you. I was processing for myself, worrying about our son who works in DC, but also feeling a responsibility to be a leader. To give you the resources you need to lead your family well.
This, of course, is not an exhaustive list, but some great places to start.
Just Mercy (movie)
The Just Mercy movie* is based off the fantastic book Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption* by Bryan Stevenson. It’s free through June on streaming services such as Amazon Prime and Apple TV.
Trouble I’ve Seen (e-book)
From the publisher, “What if racial reconciliation doesn’t look like what you expected? The high-profile killings of young black men and women by white police officers, and the protests and violence that ensued, have convinced many white Christians to reexamine their intuitions when it comes to race and justice.
In this provocative book, theologian and blogger Drew G. I. Hart places police brutality, mass incarceration, anti-black stereotypes, poverty, and everyday acts of racism within the larger framework of white supremacy. He argues that white Christians have repeatedly gotten it wrong about race because dominant culture and white privilege have so thoroughly shaped their assumptions. He also challenges black Christians about neglecting the most vulnerable in their own communities. Leading readers toward Jesus, Hart offers concrete practices for churches that seek solidarity with the oppressed and are committed to racial justice.
What if all Christians listened to the stories of those on the racialized margins? How might the church be changed by the trouble they’ve seen?”
Click here to download your free copy and use the code HART.
(Coupon only valid on the digital version.)
The Gospel in Color (e-books)
It can be hard to process racism for ourselves, let alone tackle it with our kids. But tackle we must. The Gospel in Color for Parents and the The Gospel in Color for Kids will help you navigate these tricky conversations through a biblical lens.
Click here to download them for free using the code ICANTBREATHE.
Not My Idea: A Book About Whiteness
This child-friendly book is about a little girl who sees TV coverage of a police shooting and has questions. Her parents want to protect her. Sound familiar?
Click here to download a free pdf of the book.
Transracial Adoption: Common Questions from White Adoptive Parents
This free resource is provided by Be the Bridge which helps bring awareness to the racial brokenness and system injustice in the world. When you request the download, it will come in their second email to you.
Adoption Heart Conference bonus session with transracial adoptee, Rhonda Roorda
Rhonda Roorda was adopted at the age of two into a white family, and raised as the only black in her family and community. You must hear about the moment she discovered she was black. She is the author of In Their Voices: Black Americans on Transracial Adoption*.
Click here to register for this free virtual conference.*
Podcasts
“Doing Nothing Is No Longer An Option.” — For the Love Live with Austin Channing Brown
Latasha Morrison on The Happy Hour with Jamie Ivey
Do you have additional resources to share? Click here to share them with our community.
*Denotes an affiliate link. This means I may earn a commission if you purchase a product through this link.