Anti-Racism Discussion Resources
Articles
Financial Literacy in the Black Community
Closing the racial wealth gap isn’t a simple fix. But many experts say education and financial literacy can help. In this article, we identify the impact this knowledge gap has on the African American community — and explore how Black educators and financial advisors are working to close it. Learn More
Books
Across That Bridge: A Vision for Change and the Future of America, by John Lewis (Hatchette Books, 2017; 224 pages)
America’s Original Sin: Racism, White Privilege, and the Bridge to a New America, by Jim Walis (Brazos Press, 2017; 272 pages). Downloadable discussion guide
Between the World and Me, by Ta-Nehisi Coates (One World, 2015; 176 pages; National Book Award winner)
Be the Bridge: Pursuing God’s Heart for Racial Reconciliation, by Latasha Morrison (Waterbrook, 2019; 256 pages)
Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents, by Isabel Wilkerson (Random House, 2020). Several discussion guides available on Amazon.com
The Cross and the Lynching Tree, by James H. Cone (Orbis, 2013 (reprint); 224 pages)
The Color of Compromise: The Truth about the American Church’s Complicity in Racism, by Jemar Tisby (Zondervan, 2020; 256 pages)
The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America, by Richard Rothstein (Liveright Publishing, 2020; 368 pages)
Holding Up Your Corner: Talking about Race in Your Community, by F. Willis Johnson (Abingdon, 2017; 144 pages). Participant book available.
How to Be an Antiracist, by Ibram X. Kendi (One World, 2019; 320 pages). Downloadable discussion guide
How to Fight Racism: Courageous Christianity and the Journey Toward Racial Justice, by Jemar Tisby (Zondervan, 2021)
I'm Black. I'm Christian. I'm Methodist, by Lillian C. Smith, Rudy Rasmus, Vance P. Ross, Justin Coleman, F. Willis Johnson, Pamela R. Lightsey, Rodney Lorenzo Graves, Tori C. Butler, Erin Beasley, and Jevon Caldwell-Gross.
(Abingdon Press, 2020; 160 pages)
Love is the Way: Holding on to Hope in Troubling Times, by Bishop Michael B. Curry and Sara Grace (Avery, 2020)
The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness, by Michelle Alexander (The New Press, 2020; 352 pages). Study guides
The Racial Healing Handbook: Practical Activities to Help You Challenge Privilege, Confront Systemic Racism, and Engage in Collective Healing, by Anneliese Singh (New Harbinger Publications, 2019; 240 pages)
Rediscipling the White Church: From Cheap Diversity to True Solidarity, by David. W. Swanson (IVP, 2020; 208 pages)
Roadmap to Reconciliation 2.0: Moving Communities into Unity, Wholeness and Justice, by Dr. Brenda Salter McNeil (IVP, 2020)
So You Want to Talk About Race, by Ijeoma Oluo (Seal Press, 2018; 256 pages)
Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You, by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2020; 413 pages)
Trouble I’ve Seen: Changing the Way the Church Views Racism, by Drew G.I. Hart (Herald Press, 2016). Downloadable discussion guide
White Awake: An Honest Look at What It Means to be White, by Daniel Hill (IVP, 2017; 208 pages)
White Fragility: What It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism, by Robin DiAngelo (Beacon Press, 2018; 192 pages). Downloadable discussion guide
Who Will Be a Witness: Igniting Activism For God’s Justice, Love, and Deliverance, by Drew G.I. Hart (Herald Press, 2020)
Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria and Other Conversations about Race, by Beverly Daniel Tatum (Basic Books, 2017; 464 pages)
Downloadable list of the above with titles and cover images
Some Acclaimed Classics of African-American Literature
12 Years a Slave
by Solomon Northrup
Annie John
by Jamaica Kincaid
Go Tell It on the Mountain
by James Baldwin
Invisible Man
by Ralph Ellison
Native Son
by Richard Wright
Not Without Laughter
by Langston Hughes
The Souls of Black Folk
by W. E. B. DuBois
Their Eyes Were Watching God
by Zora Neale Hurston
Small-Group Studies
“Is Reverse Racism Really a ‘Thing’?”
Video and discussion guide from General Commission on Religion and Race
“Racial Justice Conversations Guide”
Downloadable resource from General Commission on Religion and Race
“Deconstructing White Privilege”
Video and discussion guide from General Commission on Religion and Race
Videos
Bishops United Against Racism, with Bishop LaTrelle Easterling and Bishop Robert Farr, “Get Your Spirit in Shape” podcast and video from United Methodist Communications
Conversations about Racism and The UMC: A book discussion about "I'm Black. I'm Christian. I'm Methodist."
In the book, ten Black women and men explore life through the lens of compelling, personal accounts. They are leaders whose lives are tangible demonstrations of the power of a divine purpose and evidence of what grace really means in face of hardship, disappointment, and determination.
Devotional Reflection by Rev. Kris Sledge, presented to Susquehanna Conference Clergy Session, Nov. 11, 2020
Dismantling Racism Panel Discussions from The United Methodist Church
- “Expert Opinion” episode with Cole Goodman, on Black Lives Matter protests (video series by The Journey Church in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania)
- “Expert Opinion,” episode 5, featuring Drew Hart (video series by The Journey Church in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania)
- “Expert Opinion,” episode 6, featuring Shane Claiborne (video series by The Journey Church in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania)
Faith and Racial Justice with Dr. Leah Gunning Francis, “Get Your Spirit in Shape” podcast and video from United Methodist Communications
Juneteenth Announcement: Dismantling Racism, Pressing onto Freedom, by the United Methodist Council of Bishops