RACIAL JUSTICE

Our Racial Justice Team

Below are the current members of the team who will be providing materials and activities to support the above purpose.
Team Co-Leaders
Vicki Anderson
Thom McCurdy

Administrative 
Vicki Anderson, lead
Erin Frisch
Thom McCurdy
Church Presence & Worship
​Pastor Gary Bunge, lead
Vicki Anderson
Andrea Vera

​Communication & Information Technology
David Wiggert, lead
Amy Wagenknecht 
Vicki Anderson​
Education
​Sue Kamens, lead 
Olga Holden
Thom McCurdy 
Cindy Ramsey
Connie Lenkowski

​Advocacy & Outreach 
Michael Anderson, lead
Thom McCurdy
Miriam Bunge 
Jack Guevara
Wendy Guilfoyle​

​​Understanding Racism Workshop in March

Does your New Year’s resolution include learning more about racism from a Christian perspective? If so, plan to attend the next Lansing area CORE workshop March 18 and 19th. The cost is $75 for the two day workshop and workbook. Scholarships are available. To learn more, visit www.corrnow.org or register online. 

Speaking of Racial Justice

Complete List of Definitions

Listening to Racial Justice

Monthly Summary of Podcasts

Recommended Reading/Viewing

Redlined: A Legacy of Housing Discrimination

This video explains in less than 15 minutes the legislative actions that led to the practice of redlining and the horrific impact it had on the financial stability it had on Blacks and people of color.  

Holy Post – Race in America (Part I)

We recommend watching this video in its entirety as it discusses not only redlining but establishes the link between financial stability, crime, discriminatory drug laws and prison sentencing, and bias in policing. ​

The Sharon Bandlow Multicultural and Racial Justice Collection

Follow link to find a complete list of racial justice materials in the ULC Library.

Understanding My Privilege:
​A Ted Talk

Susan E. Borrego, Chancellor of the University of Michigan-Flint, reflects on her life as an emancipated minor and dissects the emotionally charged conversation surrounding race relations in the United States. This raconteur uses her powerful first-person account of "White Privilege" and "Black Lives Matter" to underscore the responsibility each one of us has to bring about change. ​

Unpacking White Privilege:
​A Study Guide

Download the White Privilege study guide from the ELCA here.

Assess Your White Privilege

A checklist to assess your White Privilege.

Explanation of the Declaration of the ELCA to People of African Descent

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At the ELCA Churchwide Assembly in 2019, Rev. Elizabeth Eaton, ELCA Presiding Bishop and the ELCA Church Council formally delivered the introduction to, and a copy of, Explanation of the Declaration of the ELCA to People of African Descent. This document was accepted by Rev. Lamont Wells, President of the African Descent Lutheran Association. Watch video of the event.  

ZoomForum (January 17, 2021)

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Judith Roberts, Program Director of ELCA Racial Justice Ministries, shares a presentation followed by Q and A on the Explanation of the Declaration of the ELCA to People of African Descent. Watch below.

Book Discussions and Podcasts

 Podcast: The 1619 Project

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"1619” is a New York Times audio series, hosted by Nikole Hannah-Jones, that examines the long shadow of American slavery. Listen to this podcast series.

Racial Justice Book Discussion With Folks from our North/West Lower Michigan Synod

Join us this Advent. With a focus on racial justice and anti-racism, Pastor Rosanne Anderson invites you to join her in reading The Spiritual Work of Racial Justice: A Month of Meditations with Ignatius of Loyola by Patrick Saint-Jean as part of your spiritual journey this Advent season. Those reading are invited to join Pastor Anderson in the "North/West Lower Michigan Synod - Book Discussion" Facebook group to discuss and share insights from the book. May this advent season be a time of growing in our dedication to racial justice each and every day.

Materials for Use with Children