How to Get Involved with Anti-Racism

In light of the deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, as well as many others, people across the nation have come together to condemn violence and commit to being anti-racist. We have compiled this list with the assistance of people of color in our community to help our Multnomah University community get started in listening and learning more by reading from a list of books, watching movies/shows, listening to podcasts/radio shows, donating, and signing petitions on a national and local scale can make a change right here in Portland. Join us in standing up for the human rights of our brothers and sisters in Christ and working toward a better and equal future. 

Multnomah University doesn’t endorse or support all the organizations included on this list. As an educational institution, we want students to understand the full facets of issues and to research carefully before making judgments. So, this list provides a broad spectrum of resources and viewpoints some of which we don’t agree with. We ask that everyone carefully research and decide the best way for you to respond to anti-racism and to the listed resources according to your understanding of the Bible and wise guidance from trusted spiritual advisors. But, research all sides thoroughly and prayerfully before you decide.

READ

Increased time spent at home? Grab a book!

• I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness by Austin Channing Brown
• White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo
• Women, Race, & Class by Angela Y. Davis
• So You Want to Talk about Race by Ijeoma Oluo
• The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander
• A Kids Book About Racism by Jelani Memory (MU alumnus)
• How to Be an Anti-Racist by Ibram X. Kendi
• The Color of Compromise by Jemar Tisby
• Divided by Faith: Evangelical Religion and the Problem of Race in America by Michael O. Emerson and Christian Smith
• Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson

WATCH

Check out these films and series that illustrate the black experience in America.

•  13th (Netflix)
• When They See Us (Netflix)
• Just Mercy (Amazon Prime, Apple TV, YouTube, Redbox)
• Fruitvale Station (Tubi)
• America to Me (Amazon Prime, Hulu, Starz)
• Imitation of Life, 1934 (Available to rent on most platforms)
• The Hate U Give (Available to rent on most platforms)
• The Color of Compromise (Amazon Prime)

LISTEN

Listen to podcasts or the radio and take steps toward dismantling racism.

• Code Switch (NPR)
• Pod for the Cause (Leadership Conf on Civil & Human Rights)
• Podcasts (hosted by Black Christians and Theologians)
• Truth’s Table (Soundcloud)
• Pass the Mic (Apple Podcasts, Spotify)

LOCAL

Support our local peaceful protesters and black-owned businesses.

• Black Lives Matter PDX (local Black-owned business lists)
• Black-owned Businesses including, but not limited to:
  • Big Elephant Kitchen
  • Clinton’s Kitchen
  • Jamrock Jamaican
  • Rose City Eats
  • Steakadelphia
  • Sweet Street BBQ
  • Black Street Bakery
  • Donut Queen
  • Snowballs
  • Ice Cream Feens
  • Deadstock Coffee
  • Kiss Coffee
  • Fuel Coffee

SIGN PETITIONS

This is a great (and free) way to support the cause and have your voice heard.

• Demand Justice for the death of Ahmaud Arbery
• Demand Justice for the death of Breonna Taylor
• Demand the Release of Julius Jones
• Demand the Enactment of the “Hands Up” Act
• Demand Justice for the death of 12-year-old Tamir Rice

EMAIL

Reach out via email to the contacts below and make your voice heard.

• City of Minneapolis PD

             police@minneapolismn.gov

• Office of Police Conduct Review

             policereview@minneapolismn.gov

•  City of Portland Police Bureau Contact Page

TEXT

This is another great way to speak up, and it only takes a few seconds!

•  Text ‘JUSTICE’ to 668366 to sign MoveOn’s petition.
• Text ‘FLOYD’ to 55156 to sign Color of Change’s petition.

CALL

Make a phone call or four! Many of the websites offer helpful talking point templates.

•  Promote 8 policies that can decrease police violence by 72%. Call Ted Wheeler at (503) 823-4120and demand change right now.
• Justice for George Floyd
• Run with Amaud
• Stand with Breonna

There are additional ways to bring about change and more resources you can learn from beyond the list above. Within this list and beyond, we encourage our community to research each source to evaluate their alignment with each cause or place they support. Look for new ways to listen, learn, and fight against injustice. Each of us holds the responsibility to educate ourselves about racism and systemic oppression so that we can better love our neighbor as ourselves with support, empathy, and action.

*The resources above are to be viewed and taken in at the discretion of the individual.

June 8, 2020 | Articles