Anti-Racism Resources
As a multifaith organization dedicated to creating healthier and more just communities, we recognize that centuries of systemic racism results in the police brutality, health disparities, inequitable distribution of resources, and U.S. justice system oppressing communities of color today.
We recently released a Statement on Police Brutality, Systemic Racism, and Injustice, in which we state our organization's solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. We also commit ourselves to the ongoing work of anti-racism and invite you to join us in this endeavor. It is time people of faith to speak out.
Anti-Racist Pledge for your Faith Community
Faith in Place’s Statement on Police Brutality, Systemic Racism, and Injustice
Articles on the intersection of Racial justice and Climate Change
Anti-Racism Training Materials
Resources
Articles on Racial Justice & Climate Change
"The modern Environmental Justice Movement would not be what it is today if it were not for the African Americans who helped to shape it. This Black History Month we're honoring the contributions of Black folks to the Environmental Justice movement."
From The Environmental Justice Movement Is Rooted In Black History, by Eddie Junsay on 350.org
Jemez Principles for Democratic Organizing (Adopted 1996)
EJnet.org
SNEEJ
Image Credit: Sierra Club
Favianna Rodriguez on Why Art Matters in a Time of Crisis | The Power of Disruptive Art
Grist
Adrienne Day
Image Credit: Favianna Rodriguez
General Iron Gets State OK to Open on Southeast Side | Community Opposed
Chicago Sun-Times
Brett Chase
Image Credit: Google / Brett Chase
Black Environmentalists are Organizing to Save the Planet from Injustice
Grist
Rachel Ramirez
Image Credit: Pablo Blazquez Dominguez / Getty Images
Have nonprofit and philanthropy become the “white moderate” that ...
Nonprofit AF
Vu Le
Image Credit: Mike Von on unsplash.com
Racism Kills: Why Many Are Declaring It a Public Health Crisis
Rolling Stone
Elizabeth Yuko
Image Credit: Olivier Douliery / AFP / Getty Images
Climate Justice is Racial Justice, Racial Justice is Climate Justice
Shondaland
Lennox Yearwood Jr.
Image Credit: Alejandra Ballesteros
Opinion: If You Care About the Planet, You Must Dismantle White Supremacy
Grist
Tamara Toles O’Laughlin
Image Credit: Grist / Ponomariova_Maria / Getty Images
The Movement for Black Lives and Environmentalists Are Finding Common Ground
Gizmodo
Yessenia Funes
Image Credit: Scott Heins / Getty Images
Lightfoot Should Nix General Iron’s Southeast Side Relocation Plans
Chicago Sun-Times
CST Editorial Board
Image Credit: Sun-Times
It's Time for Environmental Studies to Own Up to Erasing Black People
Vice
Wanjiku Gatheru
Image Credit: Wanjiku Gatheru
Climate Change Tied to Pregnancy Risks, Affecting Black Mothers Most
The New York Times
Christopher Flavelle
Image Credit: Living Art Enterprises, LLC / Science Source
Faith in Place’s Statement on Police Brutality, Systemic Racism, and Injustice
Faith in Place stands in solidarity with those protesting the systemic racism embodied in acts of police brutality and murder. We condemn the ways our nation continues to perpetuate white supremacy. We reject a system that blatantly disregards Black lives and perpetuates violence.
Faith in Place’s board, staff, network of Green Teams, and faith partners recognize the systemic effects of centuries of racism and commit even further to advancing environmental justice through our programs and advocacy. We pledge to continue to oppose racism and champion justice against the normalcy of white supremacy by examination of our systems and ourselves.
Since Black communities are affected by environmental justice issues at disproportionate rates, we must all step up our efforts. Justice means safe, healthy neighborhoods where African Americans can live without fear of being sickened, harassed, beaten, or killed. Our commitment to advancing environmental justice starts with shared dialogue and continues with enacting anti-racist policies and practices in all our work.
We invite you to join our lament and protest. Together, let us pray and act for a new reality embodying the justice, compassion, wisdom, and strength our many faiths teach us. Please consider signing on to our House of Worship Anti-Racist Pledge below.
Sincerely,
Faith in Place
Anti-Racist Pledge for Houses of Worship
As a multifaith organization dedicated to creating healthier and more just communities, we recognize that centuries of systemic racism results in the police brutality, health disparities, inequitable distribution of resources, and U.S. justice system oppressing communities of color today. Faith in Place and Faith in Place Action Fund have renewed and reevaluated our dedication to anti-racism both within and outside of the organization. We know that remaining silent places us on the side of the oppressor, so it is necessary in this time for us to acknowledge that without racial justice, there is no movement for environmental justice.
We need anti-racism commitments and actions to be incorporated into everything organizations do so that genuine healing can occur in order to create a more just world. We invite the leadership at your House of Worship to commit to anti-racist work by pledging to take proactive action.
In our Antiracist Pledge Statement, we included a few ways your faith community can pledge support. We ask you to consider these and the many other ways you can work to dismantle systemic racism and sign onto this letter with your commitment.
Sign the Anti-Racist Pledge Statement
We are grateful for the following Houses of Worship which have pledged to be anti-racist Faith Communities:
“As part of our anti-racism pledge with Faith in Place, we are particularly focused on elevating and listening to the leadership of our Black brothers and sisters in the community, so that at least a quarter of our sermons are given by Black leaders. Listening to each other and building bridges of understanding is part of healing the divisions in our world and working to create peace."
- Rev. Renee Antrosio, New Covenant Fellowship
News-Gazette
Anti-Racism Training Materials
Are you looking for tools to hold discussions or training modules with your community? These organizing groups and web pages can get you started:
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The MSW@USC Diversity Toolkit: A Guide to Discussing Identity, Power and Privilege
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Black Americans are twice as likely to die from COVID-19 than White Americans
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Public Health Resources for Understanding Environmental Racism
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The Summit Wellness Group’s Top 61 BIPOC Addiction & Mental Health Resources