Each month, a member of the Racial Justice Action Group (RJAG) will unpack a section of the anti-racism toolkit, with the aim of explaining how you can use it and how it can be helpful to your parish.
The first video is from Revd Canon Karlene Kerr, chair of the RJAG.
The video is here: Racial Justice in the Diocese of Norwich – Introducing the Anti-Racism Toolkit for Parishes
The text is below:
Hello,
I’m Karlene, the Diocese of Norwich racial justice officer and chair of the Racial Justice action group.
This is the first in a series of short videos which different members of the group will present over the next few months. I kick off by saying a little bit about our racial justice toolkit which was launched last year. As Christians we worship a God steeped in justice, with no exceptions.
The toolkit therefore has been written both for individuals and for groups as a resource so that we can partner with God to ensure that this is a just Diocese in every way, with no exceptions.
With contributions from various members of the group, the toolkit provides a brief history of how we got here, because it’s all our history. It outlines a theological underpinning for racial justice, how racism is manifested and its effect, and how we can all become each others allies, rather than remain silent or even be complicit.
There are links to numerous resources, such as films, books, articles, podcasts. There are resources for children and young people, it explains the various terms, and abbreviations and very importantly there are links to worship, resources such as prayers and liturgies.
All of these will help us to become more informed. Now this is not a definitive guide by any means. More information will be added as deemed necessary.
Do contact me if there are any constructive comments. Is there something that we haven’t included.
Lastly, what do we want the church to look like in 50 years times? My hope is that there is no need for any discussions on racial justice because it will become embedded into the life of the church.
This toolkit is a step in that direction, and I commend it to you.
Thank you.