The Islington United Church Anti-Racism Working Group is pleased to present a speaker series on Racism in the Church, designed to educate ourselves and help us take action on racism within our church, the community, and the wider Canadian context.
Scroll down to watch each speaker series.
Racism in the Church: Session #1
January 12 – Politics with the ReligionsGeek
Brian Carwana (the “ReligionsGeek”) is the Director of Encounter World Religions. He loves teaching about religions and ethno-religious diversity, and what they mean in our workplaces, schools and societies.
Racism in the Church: Session #2
January 19 – Theology with Rev. Michael Blair
Born in Jamaica, Rev. Michael Blair came to Canada as a young adult with his family. Ordained in the Convention Baptist Church and admitted to the United Church’s order of ministry in 2010, he currently serves as the General Secretary of The United Church of Canada.
Racism in the Church: Session #3
January 26 – Voices of Racialized Clergy
A panel discussion exploring pathways to becoming an anti-racist church.
• Rev. Maya Douglas, Lead Minister, St. James United Church in Etobicoke
• Rev. Sydney Elias, Lead Minister, Trinity United Church in Kitchener
• Rev. Irene Ty, Minister, Westminster United Church in Mississauga
BOOKS RECOMMENDATIONS FROM REV. MAYA DOUGLAS
White Fragility – Robin DiAngelo
The Skin We’re In – Desmond Cole
This Book Is Anti Racist – Tiffany Jewell
A Short Account of the Destruction of the Indies – Las Casas
Policing Black Lives – Robyn Maynard
How To Be An Antiracist – Ibram X. Kendi
Blindspot – Mahzarin R. Banaji & Anthony G. Greenwald
We Can’t Breathe – Jabari Asim
Eloquent Rage – Brittany Cooper
Shame On Me: An Anatomy of Race and Belonging – Tessa McWatt
Grieving While Black- Breeshia Wade