Racism mocks God. It is imperative that we have difficult conversations, face the inequities built into our society, and be transformed. The Racial Justice & Reconciliation Task Force provides recordings of recent speakers from the Black History Month Saturday series here. (Click on the Black History Month tab on that page.)

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. (Pick up of requested items is currently available while the buildings remain closed.) Here’s a great reading list.
2. What is it like to be Black in Bethlehem, PA? Listen to these oral histories compiled 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. Donate to the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, an organization that has been fighting for civil rights and social justice for nearly a century.
5. VOTE! Support candidates who are righting the wrongs of our history.