White Discomfort, Civil Rights, and the Catholic Church
7-8:30pm on Thursday, June 18
Facilitated by Jon Stotts
Zoom Registration

Powerpoint Presentation Slides

Articles and Podcasts

• “There is time for the church to support black Catholics—if it has the will to do so” by Tia Noelle Pratt (America)
• “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” by Martin Luther King, Jr.
• "On Race and Faith" Interview with Bryan Massingale (Youtube)

• Talk to yet another white friend or family member about structural racism
• Make a visit to St. Vincent de Paul parish
• Write a reflection on the importance of racial justice to your faith and share it

Over the last weeks, people all over the world have risen up in protest of white supremacy, police brutality, and a corrupt criminal justice system. Many Catholic bishops and priests have been outspoken in their support for these protests, and numerous Catholics have joined in advocating for racial justice as an integral part of the Church's pro-life commitments.

What does the Church teach about structural racism? How do Catholics of good will engage in the work of anti-racism? What resources does our faith offer us? This session will offer us an opportunity to discuss why being Catholic requires us to affirm, in word and deed, that Black lives matter.

This series offers a space for those of us who benefit from white privilege to learn about systemic racism, to examine our own role in perpetuating it, and to personally and concretely engage in the work of justice.

This series will take place on Zoom. You will need to register ahead of time for this meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwvcuqupzovE9ed5HTh9kl1YWhtC8-rE7wL

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Missed last week? No problem -- join us anyway! Find last week's content slides and recommended reading below.

George Floyd, Racialized Violence, and Criminal Justice Reform
7-8:30pm on Thursday, June 11
Facilitated by Jon Stotts
Zoom Registration

Powerpoint Presentation Slides (PDF)

Articles and Podcasts

• There’s Overwhelming Evidence that the Criminal Justice System is Racist
• Driving While Black: A Report on Racial Profiling in Metro Nashville Police Department Traffic Stops
• How to Actually Fix America's Police
• Worship of a False God: An Interview with Bryan Massingale
• Throughline (NPR), “Policing in America” podcast

• Talk to another white friend or family member about structural racism
• Stop buying from companies that use prison labor. Maybe let them know why.
• Donate to the Nashville Community Bail Fund.

Birdwatching, White Privilege, and Systemic Racism
7-8:30pm on Thursday, June 4
Facilitated by Jon Stotts

Powerpoint Presentation Slides: Download here (PDF)

Articles to read

• "White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack" by Peggy McIntosh
• “Who Gets to Be Afraid in America?” by Dr. Ibram X. Kendi | Atlantic (May 12, 2020)

Videos to watch

• Footage of the murder of George Floyd (Content warning)
• Systemic Racism Explained (Youtube)

Books to read

• White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Robin DiAngelo, PhD
• Me and White Supremacy by Layla F. Saad

Actions to take

• Talk to a white friend or family member about structural racism
• Give some money to an anti-racist organization or cause
• Find a business owned by BIPOC (Black, Indigeneous, and People of Color) and support it.

Additional resources

• A Big Anti-Racism Resource List
• 75 Things White People Can Do For Racial Justice

In 2001, Pope John Paull II wrote, “Every upright conscience cannot but decisively condemn any racism, no matter in what heart or place it is found.” The murder of George Floyd is one more link in a chain of racial injustice stretching back to our country’s origins, and Catholics of good will must decisively condemn and renounce this culture of death.