This is not a political issue or a partisan argument. As Catholics, our faith compels us to respond to the issue of racism. As Pope Francis said last week “Catholics cannot tolerate or turn a blind eye to racism while also claiming to defend the sacredness of every human life.” This is a moment for our Church to take an important stand in stating, unequivocally, that black lives matter.
This page is designed to offer resources on the journey of understanding. It includes films, podcasts, books, speeches, artistic depictions, and actions you can take. Many of these have helped our organization to learn more about and confront unconscious bias in our work and daily lives. Pick one or two that strike a chord with you and then start a conversation. Remember that it doesn’t have to be perfect to be meaningful.
With these resources, we hope to ignite conversations, to deepen understanding, and to open hearts to acknowledgement and reconciliation. Know that this is the first of many actions that we plan to take in the coming months to advance dialogue in support of our brothers and sisters of color. This list is in no way exhaustive. Please share other resources with us that you have come across and found helpful. We are all together in this sacred work of building a beloved community." [from the Center for FaithJustice: a group of people working to transform lives drawing on the Catholic, Vincentian and Jesuit traditions.]
Learn
Books:
Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson
Racial Justice and the Catholic Church by Bryan Massingale
The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander
How to be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi
Knowing Christ Crucified: The Witness of African American Religious Experience by M. Shawn Copeland
Becoming an Anti-Racist Church by Joseph Barndt
The Cross and the Lynching Tree by James H. Cone
White Fragility:
Why It’s So Hard For White People To Talk About Racism by Robin Diangelo
Articles (General):
Pope Francis on the death of George Floyd: We cannot tolerate racism and claim to defend life
Catholic Social Justice explained by Network Lobby
Catholic Social Teaching and Racism
What Black Lives Matter can teach Catholics about racial justice
Black theology and a legacy of oppression
As Church demographics shift, Catholics urged to address ‘sin of racism’
How Can Catholics Help Lead the Fight Against Racism?
Black Catholics were at the forefront of the American civil rights movement
The Holy Spirit is Moving Us to Act Against Racism
The assumptions of white privilege and what we can do about it
Religious orders owning slaves isn’t new—black Catholics have emphasized this history for years
The black Catholic nun every American should know
Ways for White People to Challenge White Apathy
Confronting Prejudice: How to Protect Yourself and Help Others
Articles (for the Workplace)
McKinsey Report: Insights on Diversity and Inclusion
Is Your Company Actually Fighting Racism, or Just Talking About It?
Leaders must start by reckoning with their Black employees’ experiences at work. (June 2020)
How Organizations Can Support the Mental Health of Black Employees
Few leaders have the skills and training to confront the trauma caused by racism. (June 2020)
U.S. Businesses Must Take Meaningful Action Against Racism
Here’s what leaders can do today. (June 2020)
How U.S. Companies Can Support Employees of Color Through the Pandemic
Though we say we’re all in this together, we’re not all in the same boat. (May 2020)
Toward a Racially Just Workplace
Diversity efforts are failing black employees. Here’s a better approach. (November 2019)
“Dear White Boss…”
Unsaid words from a black manager. (November 2002)
Hiring Discrimination Against Black Americans Hasn’t Declined in 25 Years
A meta-analysis of job callback rates. (October 2017)
Why Aren’t Black Employees Getting More White-Collar Jobs?
A look at U.S. cities shows progress has been slow and uneven. (February 2018)
People Suffer at Work When They Can’t Discuss the Racial Bias They Face Outside of It
They become more disengaged and more likely to leave. (July 2017)
Even at “Inclusive” Companies, Women of Color Don’t Feel Supported
This can prevent employees from connecting across ethnic and racial differences. (August 2019)
Getting Over Your Fear of Talking About Diversity
Advice for leaders who are afraid of saying the wrong thing. (November 2019)
How the Best Bosses Interrupt Bias on Their Teams
Strategies to foster equity and inclusion. (November 2019)
How to Reduce Personal Bias When Hiring
Six steps you can implement. (June 2019)
Why Diversity Programs Fail
And what works better for organizations. (July 2016)
“Numbers Only Take Us So Far”
Facebook’s global director of diversity explains why stats alone won’t solve the problem of organizational bias. (November 2017)
Listen:
Black Lives Matter and the Catholic Church
Brene Brown:
Feat. Ibram X. Kendi on How to be an Antiracist
Feat. Austin Channing Brown: I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a world made for Whiteness
Jesuitical:
Olga Segura on having frank conversations about race
Learning the Stories of the Enslaved People Owned by the Jesuits
The untold history of black nuns in the United States
AMDG: A Jesuit Podcast Lamenting and Confronting Racism with Fr. Mario Powell, SJ
Watch:
Just Mercy (Prime Video) and use this: Just Mercy Reflection Guide
13th (Netflix) and use this:13th Reflection Questions
When They See Us (Netflix)
Talk about it
Having conversations about racism is crucial. Speak with family, friends, and other people you know. Discuss what you are learning or know about racism – its history in the U.S. and in the church – discuss what makes you uncomfortable, and challenge each other to see things in a more just and equitable way.
Various communities are offering conversations and reflections over Zoom. Join, listen, think, and converse. Learning from new perspectives is important.
Use social media as a tool for conversation with your peers. Look up authors, teachers, speakers, and other influencers that have been doing this work. If you are white, be sure to find Black, Indigenous, People of Color and elevate their voices and the anti-racist work they have done.
As a family or within your work community, look into Living Room Conversations for conversation guides. Important anti-racist work can happen around the dining room table or in work meetings. Challenge those around you who make racist jokes or comments – ask them why they said it and ask them to think about what they’re saying and how they’re saying it.
Reflect
Act
Advocate
Many towns are having peaceful protests, look to see what your town is doing and how you can get involved. Speak out on social media, reshare from other organizations and show that you are active and vocal.
Additionally, vote and research the policies currently in place in your local areas.
Within your faith community, see what your parish and diocese are doing. Demand that they sponsor a whole series on race and not just one session. Write to your bishop and ask what anti-racism segments are part of your church leaders’ formation.
Support Businesses
Catholic social teaching teaches us about the importance of community and participation. We have a responsibility to support local businesses to seek together the common good. See what black-owned businesses are around you or how you can support one from afar to allow the community to come together. There are some wonderful resources here: https://www.websiteplanet.com/blog/support-black-owned-businesses/
For example, here are 25 Black-Owned Home Decor Brands to Shop For Your Next Home Refresh from the folks at MyMove*: https://www.mymove.com/home-inspiration/decoration-design-ideas/black-owned-home-decor/
*this is not an endorsement of any particular business, and the University does not solicit not accept advertisements for this site.
Donate
Research organizations that are doing anti-racist work in our country. We have put together a few but encourage you to look at either local community bail funds or other organizations that are looking to educate people around and end racial injustices.
Local Community Bail Funds
Volunteer
Look in your community for ways to be active and lend a hand. We have compiled a list with service opportunities in New Jersey. We encourage you to volunteer with an open heart, a desire to build community, and encounter our neighbors.
And if you’re white, look at things you can do: 75 Things White People Can Do for Racial Justice
If you are looking for somewhere to start, check out this easy to follow yet thought provoking guide from Mercy Volunteers.
This is list of resources is not at all exhaustive. We encourage you to explore some other organization’s pages such as NFCYM, Pax Christi USA, Ignatian Solidarity Network, and Catholic Mobilizing Network. Some of these resources are shared between us, but there are many more you can explore with them. We are all together in this sacred work of dismantling racist structure and building a beloved community.