Putting our faith into action

What is systemic racism? It is the policies and practices that foster the disparity in health care, education, living wages, affordable housing, even access to healthy food (read about “food deserts”). 

Why racial justice? Black people are disprportionately arrested; juries find Black people guilty disproportionately; judges give Black people disproportionately longer sentences.

We are all God's beloved children. We can no longer sit in silence while our brothers and sisters suffer.

What can I do?

1. Educate yourself. Our school history books did not present the reality of the meaning and devastation of chattel slavery, the fallacy of race, and the many contributions that Blacks contributed to our national life. Request books from your local library. Here’s a great reading list.
2. What is it like to be Black in Bethlehem, PA? Listen to these oral histories compiled by M. Rayah Levy, Bethlehem Area Public Library.  
3. Call out bigotry. Loudly. Have the difficult conversations with your family, friends and neighbors. Again, call out bigotry. Loudly.
4. Find opportunities to learn more and work with local groups dedicated to eliminating racial policies.
5. VOTE! Support candidates who are righting the wrongs of our history. Black History is Our History.