2020 is turning out to be a history-defining year with monumental moments taking place throughout the last few months. One such moment is the #BLM or the Black Lives Matter movement. Black Lives Matter is a social movement emphasizing human rights and racial equality for black people and campaigning against various forms of racism.
India has also been plagued by racism for decades, many times resulting in outright verbal and physical attacks. Whether it be the obsession with fair skin, intolerance over different food habits and lifestyles, India’s many communities have proven to be devastatingly racist towards each other and even to outsiders. Additionally, casteism, though with a different history, adds fuel to the fire of racism in our country.
With this requisite conversation on racism happening across the country and the world, we do not want to detach ourselves but look for God’s heart and solution in the matter. Another way to engage in the movement is to read or hear from different perspectives to gain a better understanding. In this blog, we have put together a series of resources and quotes of what global Christian influencers are saying on racism.
Dismantling racism isn't about achieving a new state of "woke" enlightenment. It's about dismantling your own pride. — Daniel Hill, River City Church, Chicago
Become The Bridge: We have to speak. We aren’t going to say everything perfectly, but in a season like this, silence is agreement. Pastor Steven Furtick (Elevation Church) and Pastor John Gray (Relentless Church) sit down to have a conversation about race, privilege, apathy, and what it will take to become the bridge to a better future.
T.D. Jakes presents: ‘The Church & Race’: a raw and transparent conversation on the Church and Race featuring global Christian leaders Carl Lentz, Ron Carpenter, Christine Caine, Judah Smith, and Dr. Caroline Leaf.
At this church, we are not saying 'all lives matter' right now because this is a logical assumption that most reasonable people agree with. All lives are not at risk right now. We are saying Black Lives Matter. Because, right now, black lives apparently are worth less on our streets. It's ‘our fight’ not ‘their fight.’ — Carl Lentz, Senior Pastor, Hillsong Church NYC
Conversation on Race + Restoration: A poignant dialogue between Christine Caine, international speaker, and Dr. Anita Philips, Mental Health expert, offering gracious wisdom and insight on race from a mental health perspective.
Our prayer for you in this uncertain time, is to manifest the love of God through intentional engagement from a considerate and compassionate heart. The Bible says that God created all human beings in His image (Genesis 1:27). We are praying for racial reconciliation and unity through the healing power of Jesus Christ.