Racial Inequality Towards Black Americans – Listening and Loving

My heart is so saddened by discrimination and I’m glad it’s currently a national conversation, though I wish it didn’t take death and injustice to bring about change.

When I look at everything happening I can’t help but stop and look at my own heart. Look back at my past and confess moments where I fell short and judged someone by the color of their skin. Jesus, please forgive me.

Something that has helped me a great deal over the past couple of weeks is listening and reading things my black friends say and post. I know it takes so much out of them to share on this level since they are already so burdened and mourning.

Two conversations that I especially appreciate were these:

The pastor of our church interviewed our friend Donovan (conversation starts at the 27-minute mark).

In Her Shoes: A Conversation About Racism

If you have not heard from a black person that you know personally I urge you to take a listen.

Resources that help and highlight

I wanted to share a few resources I’ve found helpful in educating myself and also highlight some resources that are created by people that are black.

This is a simple illustration of inequality based on Shel Silverstein’s The Giving Tree.

This post is excellent for helping process all that is happening with your children.

Michelle Obama’s book gave me an up-close view of her experiences. When I hear someone’s story I can’t help but understand them a little better.

In understanding which racial terms make people cringe, this article was helpful.

We like the Who Was? series of books. Grant likes these because they’re not too long and they tell about the person’s whole life. Books such as MLK, Tuskegee Airmen, Rosa Parks, and Maya Angelou.

A movie based on the true story of a black man accused of murder and his black lawyer who helps him appeal the conviction, Just Mercy, will be free to stream this month. Here’s the trailer.

I ordered these today.

Grant recently read The Prince Warriors series which is co-authored by Priscilla Shirer. He thought they were really good.

Anthony ONeal is committed to helping students and young adults find and pursue their passions.

My friend, Krista, recently mentioned this movie which I can’t wait to watch.

Sesame Street is having a Town Hall for Racism June 6 at 10am.

This children’s book list helps support conversations on race. I’ve reserved a few at the library. By the way, our local library has added many e-books recently expanding the books that have characters and topics of people that are black.

A Prayer for Change

I’m not perfect at this. No one is, but we are aware that inequality and racism exist and are doing our best. Sometimes we fail but we continue to try.

We are all broken people in need of a savior. Lord, please change our hearts. Show us how to stop racism in our own homes. Let us take action for the injustice of our black friends.

No matter what your past has been, the level of prejudice in your home growing up, or your own struggles with ethnic and cultural differences, people can change. First of all, God can forgive you. Confess to him and feel the covering of his forgiveness. Today is a new day and you can begin anew. People can change. I can change. You can change. Our pastor recently said, “The Gospel saves people and it also changes people.” If you want to know more about this check out this post.

We can all be brave and work toward a better tomorrow.

How are you being brave today?

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