Transfiguration Lives into Anti-Racist Faith
The very heart of our Christian faith is inherently at odds with supporting, tolerating, or continuing racism in our interactions with others or in systems and powers with which we interact. We are called to use our influence and energy to diminish and eradicate racism wherever we find it.
In the Baptismal Covenant of the Episcopal Church, we make these promises:
We commit to being open and honest in our exploration of racism. We understand that our learning about diversity and the ways that racism impacts our lives and our world is, rather than a one-time effort, an going activity that should translate into definitive and measurable action within our context and in the world.
We commit to look for systemic causes of racism wherever we work and live, and speak to the ways that our medical, educational, governmental, societal, and other systems are racist. We commit to being being willing to shift the dynamics of power to be more equitable whenever we can. We understand that anything that dismantles racism inherently benefits everyone. To that end, as a community, we commit to making antiracism a part of the DNA of this community.
Hailey McKeefry Delmas, Deacon
In the Baptismal Covenant of the Episcopal Church, we make these promises:
- To continue in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers.
- To persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever we fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord.
- To proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ
- To seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbor as ourselves.
- To strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being.
We commit to being open and honest in our exploration of racism. We understand that our learning about diversity and the ways that racism impacts our lives and our world is, rather than a one-time effort, an going activity that should translate into definitive and measurable action within our context and in the world.
We commit to look for systemic causes of racism wherever we work and live, and speak to the ways that our medical, educational, governmental, societal, and other systems are racist. We commit to being being willing to shift the dynamics of power to be more equitable whenever we can. We understand that anything that dismantles racism inherently benefits everyone. To that end, as a community, we commit to making antiracism a part of the DNA of this community.
Hailey McKeefry Delmas, Deacon
Resources for racial justice
We have compiled a list of anti-racist resources for the community. It is a partial and evolving list--if you have resources you would like to see added, please send us an email.
Resources for families
Books
Online resources
- Anti-Racist Baby by Ibram X. Kendi
- Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You: A Remix of the National Book Award-winning Stamped from the Beginning by Ibram X. Kendi
- The San Mateo County Library staff have curated lists of books for adults, children, teens and families: San Mateo Library resources
- "These Books Can Help You Explain Racism and Protest to Your Kids," New York Times, June 3. https://nyti.ms/2ZWMjsm
Online resources
- The website Teaching Tolerance is geared towards educators and parents may also find helpful resources there, including Beyond the Golden Rule: A Parent's Guide to Preventing and Responding to Prejudice (pdf). https://www.tolerance.org/
- The Center for Racial Justice in Education has compiled a list of resources. Click here for the direct link to their resource library or go to https://centerracialjustice.org/
- This article has useful tips and links to other resources: https://www.chicagoparent.com/learn/general-parenting/resources-for-talking-to-kids-about-race/
- Interview with Jesse Hagopian, a black teacher, activist, parent and author in Seattle: https://www.npr.org/2020/06/04/868600478/q-a-how-to-talk-to-kids-about-george-floyd
resources for adults
Books
Online resources
- The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander
- I'm Still Here: Black Dignity In a World Made For Whiteness by Austin Channing Brown
- Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Ibram Kendi
- Have Black Lives Ever Mattered by Mumia Abu-Jamal
- How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi
- The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin
- The Fire This Time: A New Generation Speaks about Race by Jesmyn Ward
- Becoming by Michele Obama
- All About Love: New Visions by bell hooks
- Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
- The Cross and the Lynching Tree by James Cone
- The Beloved Community: How Faith Shapes Social Justice from the Civil Rights Movement to Today by Charles Marsh
- The Very Good Gospel: How Everything Wrong Can Be Made Right by Lisa Sharon Harper
Online resources
- "The Case for Reparations," Ta-Nehisi Coates
- "Uncovering Privilege," Erin Scammerhorn Wray
- "What if....White People Took Responsibility for Our Role in this Moment?" Kathleen Osta
- "Who Gets to be Afraid in America?" Ibram X. Kendi
- "They were raised to be 'colorblind' - but now more white parents are learning to talk about race," Caitlin Gibson
- "Teaching Six Year Olds About Privilege and Power," Katrina Schwartz
- "Two Thumbs Up: Movies and Documentaries to Use (and Avoid) When Teaching Civil Rights," Hasan Kwame Jeffries
- Sacred Ground curriculum (film based dialogue series on race and faith) via the national Episcopal Church