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Recommended

“Diversity is being invited to the party. Inclusion is being asked to dance. ®”
—Vernā Myers

Published by the American Bar Association in 2013, this guide offers 25 strategies for developing "emotional, social, and spiritual intelligence" in a variety of common but rarely discussed situations. Author Vernā Myers is a diversity consultant and self-described "recovering lawyer" with a degree from Harvard Law.
​Read or listen to her 2016 interview on TED Radio Hour.

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When a church claims boldly "Black Lives Matter" at this moment, it chooses to show up intentionally against all given societal values of supremacy and superiority or common-sense complacency.
—United Church of Christ

The Board of Outreach has been hosting discussions (via Zoom) about racial and social justice issues in America. In addition to the United Church of Christ social justice resource page, listed below are more resources recommended by Outreach committee members (click + to view):

Articles

Congressman and Civil Rights leader John Lewis wrote an essay shortly before his death on July 17, 2020, entitled "Together, You Can Redeem the Soul of Our Nation."

Books

Growing in habits that make us more inclusive... 
What if I Say The Wrong Thing?  25 Habits for Culturally Effective People, by Vernā A. Myers

Learning more about the history of Black people in the United States... 
Four Hundred Souls: A Community History of African America, 1619-2019, by Ibram X. Kendi

Learning about the cost of racial discrimination in the United States... 
​The Sum of Us, by Heather McGhee

For a few more ideas, see the Christian Science Monitor's "Anti-racism reading list: 10 books to get started."​​

PODCASTS

A collection of NPR Fresh Air interviews...

• It's More Than Racism: Isabel Wilkerson Explains America's 'Caste' System
• Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams On George Floyd Protests & Police Reform
• From Freddie Gray To George Floyd: Wes Moore Says It's Time To 'Change The Systems’
• Policing Is An 'Avatar Of American Racism,' Marshall Project Journalist Says
• The legacy of White Supremacy in American Christianity

Video

Author Marlin James explains the difference between "non-racist" and "anti-racist" in this Guardian (UK) YouTube video entitled "Are you racist? 'No' isn't a good enough answer."

parenting

Talking with children about race...

• the conscious kid website offers a curated collection of resources
• PBS KIDS for parents provides videos and reading ideas for generating meaningful conversations with children.

Parents might also watch a YouTube video entitled "Parenting in Support of Black Lives: How to Build a Just Future for Kids" produced by the Commonwealth Club and Common Sense Media, which offers a resource page for parents.​

While my time here has now come to an end, I want you to know that in the last days and hours of my life you inspired me. 

You filled me with hope about the next chapter of the great American story when you used your power to make a difference in our society.​

​—John Lewis, July 2020