Anti-Racism

OUR RESPONSE TO ANTI-BLACK & ANTI-INDIGENOUS RACISM


PRINCIPLES FOR ACTION

  • Clearly name the problem
  • Be honest and vulnerable
  • Create a safe space for conversation
  • Listen
  • Share stories
  • Use data
  • Let Black members of the congregation take a lead
  • Use the arts
  • Set realistic goals and ideas for what we want to accomplish and ensure that these ideas and activities are something we can commit to on a continual basis

ACTION AREAS
1. Education

  • Stories from Black folks 
  • History of Blacks in Canada
  • Problems with policing
  • Film series
  • Book studies
  • Lecture series 
  • Caucus groups—spaces for BIPOC people to do reflection and processing together, as well as finding spaces for white people to do this work on their own too, in order that when we come together to dialogue, there is increased capacity for understanding

2. Communication

  • Articulate a clear Christian liberation stance against anti-black racism and colonial policing!
  • Arts-based communication, signage
  • Messaging to the wider church—more diversity! 

3. Liturgy

  • Honour significant dates in Black history, beyond just February
  • Honour Indigenous culture throughout the year
  • More story sharing
  • Anti-racist and decolonial liturgical expressions

4. Connecting to the community

  • Use anti-racism as a way to connect youth
  • Partner with other groups who are active
  • Mentorship programs, networking opportunities 
  • Encourage financial givings to particular organizations committed to doing anti-racist work—maybe somewhere in the neighbourhood
  • Organize opportunities for anti-racist protest participation as an ESM community—maybe gathering together for marches and vigils, but maybe also finding ways to use the location/property of the church for anti-racist messaging
  • Building relationships with our Indigenous communities

To build relationships we will work to increase an appreciation of the teachings, languages, traditions and stories of the Ancestors that are shared in the podcast series “Sacred Teachings” of the Anglican Church of Canada.  https://www.anglican.ca/im/podcasts/

We will hold information sessions to introduce participants to “the Sacred Teachings” Podcasts, Virtual Pow Wows; 2015 Sacred Circle: Gospel: Jamboree; As well, we will provide participants with links to these media.

Once we are no longer practicing social distancing, we will organize a bus trip to Six Nations (Brantford), the Oneida of the Thames, or Christian Island to meet with Indigenous leaders to listen to and learn about their communities—past and present.

All are welcome to the Art of Resistance: Black Expressions of Truth, this year’s Reconciliation Walk which will feature six Zoom-based gatherings where we can learn together from videos, discussion, and a guest artist. From October to April, Black storytellers, poets, writers, visual artists, and musicians will use their art forms to expose anti-Black racism and resist oppression. Full information and registration details are on this page: https://www.toronto.anglican.ca/…/the-art-of-resistance/.

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