Racial Justice Caucus
Our Mission
To faithfully pursue a deeper understanding of white privilege's role in fostering racial injustice in our world and hampering the Kingdom of God
To use our newfound understanding of racial injustice to proactively break the cycle of inequality, in both small and large ways as we are called by God
Upcoming Events
Black History Book Study
Thursdays from April 11 - May 9, 12noon - 1pm, Zoom
Join us for this zoom book study led by Rev. Brent Huckaby on Michael Harriot’s Black AF History - The Un-Whitewashed Story of America. Harriot’s “searingly smart and bitingly hilarious” retelling of American history corrects the record and showcases the perspective and experiences of Black Americans. Contact Rev. Brent for more info and zoom link.
Information on the Work of the Racial Justice Caucus
A large part of RJC’s work has focused on education, since we must understand the issues of racial injustice before we can work to correct them. During the Sunday School hour in the summer of 2019, RJC sponsored the weekly Summer Lecture Series, Lift Every Voice: Racial Healing and Justice, led by professors from Emory's Candler School of Theology. RJC views learning about racial injustice as an ongoing endeavor and maintains a list of relevant books, articles, movies, and podcasts on our Resources Page and has placed a Little Free Library in front of the YAAB for the community to exchange books about social justice. Visit the RJC Facebook page, which uses to highlight issues relating to racial justice, and two active book discussion groups. In addition, RJC has invited the community to watch and discuss movies and to visit museums and historical sites relevant to the struggle for racial justice, such as The Legacy Museum and National Memorial to Peace and Justice in Montgomery, and the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma.
In 2020, RJC identified voting rights as a focus for advocacy. RJC members have written to state and federal legislators in support of expanded access to the polls, written letters and postcards to voters urging them to vote, served as line warmers and poll watchers, and marched in protests against voter suppression.
Opportunities to serve in proximity to those in need have been limited by COVID-19. RJC continues to sponsor a dinner in February at Trinity House, and RJC members have marched and protested voter suppression and police violence. In addition, RJC has offered members the opportunity to tutor students at Project Transformation’s summer day camp at Stone Mountain First UMC.
Racial Justice Summer Lecture Series – In 2019, RJC sponsored the weekly Summer Lecture Series, Lift Every Voice: Racial Healing and Justice, led by professors from Emory's Candler School of Theology. Topics included “Moral Leadership and the Arc of Racial Healing and Justice”, “Confronting Racism With Jesus”, and “How Stewardship of Property Can Promote Racial Equity”. Recordings of all the lectures can be found here.
Resources
Check out more resources here!
Affirmative Action, UMC Church & Society - Statement on Supreme Court Ruling (June 29, 2023)
Racial Justice Caucus Resource Page – No matter where you are on your journey towards antiracism, whether you are just getting ready to start or have been exploring racism for some time, you will find helpful resources on the RJC Resource page. RJC maintains a list of books, articles, movies, and podcasts where you are sure to find something that will enlighten and challenge you. In addition, the RJC has placed a Little Free Library in front of the YAAB. Come check out what’s inside!!
Contact justice@glennumc.org, Carol Allums or Rev. Brent Huckaby to learn more.