Recommended Resources for Understanding Racial Injustice

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.  James 1:19-20 (ESV)

Disclaimer: These resources are intended to help us listen and understand the views of others with regard to race and justice. While we may not agree with some of the thoughts presented or endorse some of the positions taken, for the sake of the Gospel, it is important for us to genuinely strive to understand the experiences and reasoning upon which these views are based.  In addition, we encourage parents to review these resources to determine the appropriateness for their children.

Listening and Loving by Reading

• Letter from a Birmingham Jail, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
• Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption, Bryan Stevenson (pp. 368)
• The Gospel and Racial Reconciliation, Russell D. Moore and Andrew T. Walker (pp. 128)
• Disunity in Christ: Uncovering the Hidden Forces that Keep us Apart, Christina Cleveland (pp. 220)
• One Blood: Parting Words to the Church on Race and Love, John M. Perkins (pp. 208)
• Oneness Embraced: Reconciliation, the Kingdom, and How We Are Stronger Together, Tony Evans (pp. 352).

Listening and Loving by Watching

• The Bible Project: Justice (2017)
• Faith Culture Forum: The Gospel and Racial Reconciliation (2017)
• TED: We Need to Talk about an Injustice (2012)
• True Justice: Bryan Stevenson’s Fight for Equality (2019)
• Just Mercy (2019 – available for free for the month of June across digital platforms in the U.S.)

Listening and Loving by Visiting

• Bethel Baptist Church of Collegeville (3200 28th Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35207)
• Birmingham Civil Rights Institute (520 16th St N, Birmingham, AL 35203)
• The National Memorial for Peace and Justice (417 Carolina Street, Montgomery, AL 36104)

Pastor Isaac Adams speaks about the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing.

Interview with Tim & Pastor Thomas Wilder of Bethel Baptist Church