Alongside our response to COVID-19 and the easing of the lockdown we have seen a crying out for racial justice across the world. The Black Lives Matter protests in summmer 2020 across Hereford, Ross-on-Wye, Telford, Bridgnorth and many other towns in our diocese, led to a group forming who wish to respond with love and compassion as part of efforts to tackle racial 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 and address institutional racism, listening to and learning from the experiences of UK minority ethnic people;
- Recruit and 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
Our record in this area in the Church of England is not good and Bishop Richard is encouraging us to begin by looking at ourselves.
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
Our lead representatives are:
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Email: w.coombey@ |
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