Anti-Racism
The evidence of widespread and pervasive racism in this country is clear. The 2020 deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, among others, catalyzed new and broader discussions, nationally, as well as at Hancock. Hancock’s response began with small group discussions of relevant readings, followed by presentation of several events during the summer and fall of 2021 (see listing below). A small steering group is now at work exploring new methods of engagement and action for the wider Hancock community in the coming year.
Previous Events:
Advocacy for Clemency For William Allen (Summer and Fall 2021)
Hancock Church members participated in advocacy work on behalf of William Allen, a Brockton man who has served 27 years of a mandatory life sentence. Led by our colleagues at Temple Emunah, Hancock Church members were an important part of the Lexington interfaith effort to flood the desk of Governor Baker with letters and postcards and showed their presence at a state house rally in support of Mr. Allen. As a result of this very strong support, Governor Baker has recommended clemency, and we await a final outcome from the Parole Board.
Showing of the film, “I Am Not Your Negro” (August 25, 2021)
This documentary, with words by James Baldwin, paints a searing, but essential, picture of the state of race in America.
Presentation and Discussion of “I Am Not Your Negro” (August 29th, 2021)
This after-church and Zoom discussion was led by Baldwin scholar, Professor Quentin Miller, Chair of the English Department at Suffolk University. In preparation for this event, Professor Miller recommended reading James Baldwin’s work, Notes of a Native Son, published in 1955.
Voter Suppression Presentation (June 20, 2021)
Professor Rachael Cobb, Associate Professor & Chair of Political Science & Legal Studies at Suffolk University (and a Lexington resident) talked in an after-church Zoom presentation about what voter suppression is, why it’s become such an issue of concern right now (especially for its potential to disenfranchise targeted groups, in particular, persons of color), and what we at Hancock (individually and as a group) can do to help address this immediate threat to our democracy.
Formation of Anti-Racism Steering Team (Summer 2021)
A small group of Hancock members were charged with and began work on leading Hancock’s anti-racism efforts for the future.
Anti-Racism Small Group Book Discussions (Summer 2020)
Resources for Learning More about Anti-Racism
Summer Anti-Racism Learning Challenge at Hancock
The Anti-Racism Team is challenging you to a summer of learning about racism in our society and how we can all become anti-racists. It’s simply not enough to say “I’m not a racist” or “Black Lives Matter”. We are not truly anti-racist until we act to make our world more just and equitable for all. Before taking action we need to understand our own biases, as well as those in the world around us. Being biased is not something to be ashamed of or to feel guilty about, however, biases need to recognized and acknowledged. Systemic racism makes it nearly impossible to live in this world without bias, creating a need to learn more about what and how to change our culture. The Anti-Racism Team challenges you to watch, read or listen to the following over the summer and participate in discussion with other Hancock folk in the fall.
Many copies at Cary Library and through Minuteman Library Network (print and E-book)Called a “field-guide” to racism, written in terms accessible to all; providing fundamental history and context for all that has come since.
“The Case for Reparations”. Ta-Nehisi Coates. Published in The Atlantic and made freely available. Or, llisten to it at https://radiopublic.com/the-atlantics-audio-articles-6vVV4Q/s1!42360
Read this seminal article to learn about the pivotal role that discrimination in housing policy and practice has played in the Black Experience in America, resulting in dramatically different wealth profiles for White versus Black America.
Film Showing (August 25, 2021) — more information to come
Foundational/Getting Started
- 11 Terms You Should Know to Better Understand Structural Racism (The Aspen Institute)
- The 1619 Project (The New York Times Magazine)From the website: An ongoing initiative from The New York Times Magazine that began in August 2019, the 400th anniversary of the beginning of American slavery. It aims to reframe the country’s history by placing the consequences of slavery and the contributions of black Americans at the very center of our national narrative.
- 21 Day Challenge (Debby Irving)Guidance in choosing one new activity each day to broaden your perspective. Track your progress.
- Association of Black Citizens of Lexington
- Black Lives Matter
- The Characteristics of White Supremacy Culture (Showing Up for Justice (SURJ))
- Showing Up for Justice (SURJ): Racism 101: Understanding Racism and SURJ BostonA site filled with educational opportunities.
- Talking About Race (The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African-American History and Culture)
- White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack (Peggy McIntosh, 1989)
- White Racism Explained in 3 Easy (-ish) Steps (Debby Irving, 2014)