Responding to Injustices
As Christians, we are called to respond with love and compassion and to continually work to address racial and social injustice.
We know that there is work for us to do in this area, and we are starting to look at this across a number of areas:
- Challenge - we continue to address institutional racism, listening to and learning from the experiences of UK minority ethnic people;
- Recruitment - we seek to support more UK minority ethnic clergy, staff and volunteers;
- Acknowledge and repent of the Church’s past involvement in and benefit from the slave trade;
- Make our churches truly welcoming to everyone, taking responsibility for the need for profound cultural change in our Church.
- Work with others in Hereford Diocese and the Church of England to bring these things about
From Lament to Action
In April 2021, the Anti Racism Taskforce on racism in the Church of England published the From Lament to Action report.
Our record in this area in the Church of England is not good, and Bishop Richard encourages us to begin by looking at ourselves.
Support Networks
You can join the UKME/Global Majority Heritage network. The Church of England seeks to support people of Global Majority Heritage (GMH)/ UK Minoritised Ethnic (UKME) clergy, ordinands and lay ministers and leaders to join an ethnocultural communications network.
To learn more and register visit the Church of England website. You can also download and share the registration poster.
We are part of the West Midlands Racial Justice Initiative (WMRJI), a partnership of six dioceses working together to dismantle systemic racism and build a more inclusive Church. Rooted in the teachings of Jesus and guided by the From Lament to Action report, WMRJI seeks to transform church structures so that people of every race and background can belong, thrive, and be celebrated.
You can find out more about the WMRJI and their work by visiting their website.
The following resources may help build greater understanding and knowledge around racial injustice and Black British history.
- "What do You See?" - A poem in response to the tragic killing of George Floyd
- An account of what it is still like being Black, British and educated in London 2020
- Book recommendations:
- White Fragility by Roin Di Angelo
- Why I'm no longer talking to White People about Racism by Reni Eddo-Lodge
- Black and British by David Olusoga
- Podcasts:
- Transition2Adulthood podcast Young Adults from across the UK share their experience of the Justice System
- The Anti Racist Listening Project Conversations about how people are making anti-racist action a part of their lives.
Our lead representatives are:
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Racial Justice Officer |
Below is a prayer from Revd Freddie Strong, our Racial Justice Officer, inviting us to live out the call to Love Your Neighbour and work towards a world where every person is valued, affirmed, and truly belongs.