Anti-Racism Resources

Danville Congregational Church Anti-Racism Resources

Danville Congregational Church Anti-Racism Team

While racism is a lived reality for people of color, the murder of George Floyd on May 25, 2020 in Minneapolis awoke many white communities across the U.S. to a simple truth. Racism is still foundational for our country and the institutions we rely on and work for. Members of our church community have felt compelled to acknowledge and challenge racism in our communities. In response, an anti-racist team formed at DCC to examine the role of racism in shaping our society and culture, and how we can promote a response that will expel it altogether. This self-chosen team consists of DCC members  Kristin Chambers, Deborah Daily, Barbara DeBarger, Bette Felton, John and Joyce Klassen, Doug Leich, and Mary Kay McClure. We have created a mission statement that serves as our guide:

• We, the DCC Anti-Racism Team, are congregation members committed to:
  • • Understanding white supremacy and intersecting systems of oppression
    • Learning about what it takes to be anti-racist
    • Guiding, supporting, and inspiring members of the congregation to take part in anti-racism work
    • Read more here…

Everyone is welcomed to attend our meetings and learning sessions. If you have questions about our work or ideas you want to share with the team, please contact Barb DeBarger at bdebarger@gmail.com

DCC Anti-Racism Team Activities

• Second Hour Coffee Chats
  The DCC Anti-Racism Team invites you all to join us during second hour on selected Sundays from 11:00am to Noon for a series we are calling Coffee Chats. These will be informal spaces for dialogue with some members of the team where we welcome you to bring your questions and reflections on anti-racism work. We envision this to be a time to learn from each other, and if desired, brainstorm ways to find answers to the questions we bring forth to the discussion. Feel free to join whichever (or however many) session(s) you are available for. There will be different team members present each week. Announcements for these chats are found in our weekly bulletin.
  • May 28 – Doug Leich and Barb DeBarger, co-hosts
  • July 2 – Joyce Klassen and Mary Kay McClure. co-hosts
  • October 1 – John Klassen, host
• Anti-Racism Learning Series
  Our DCC Anti-Racism Learning Series will be quarterly events in which we discuss and reflect on various topics delivered through a variety of media (articles/podcasts/videos/speakers) as a way of learning together about different elements of anti-racism. Each of these sessions will be stand alone, so you are welcome to join whichever and however many sessions you choose. Future sessions will be listed here, along with zoom access information.

Anti-Racism Community Resources

Upcoming Community Events [New]

• From Surviving to Thriving: Healing for the Forgotten Survivors of Racial Terror
  Friday, September 15, 7:30 AM – noon, hosted by UCC Join the Movement toward Racial Justice
• Trails of Hope and Terror – Ames UCC Theologian-in-Residence
  Saturday, September 16, 7:00-10:00 AM, hosted by Ames United Church of Christ
• Author Talk: Accountability and White Anti-Racist Organizing
  Thursday, October 12, 4:00-5:30 PM, hosted by Anti-Racist Community Network

Anti Racism Resources

The following is a list of resources you can access to engage in anti-racism work.

• Click here for ways you can help right now.
• 26 Ways to be in the Struggle Beyond the Streets

Information on Reparations [New]

• Church Based Reparations Webinar, with UCC General Minister Rev. John C. Dorhauer
• Article: Let’s Talk: About Reparations and Storytelling, by Conference Minister Rev. Dr. Diane Weibel
• Article: The Case for Reparations, by Ta-Nehisi Coates
• Article: A Christian Call for Reparations, by Kelly Brown Douglas
• Book: Lent of Liberation: Confronting the Legacy of American Slavery, by Cheri Mills
• Book: Stand Your Ground: Black Bodies and the Justice of God, by Kelly Brown Douglas
• Book: The Color of Compromise: The Truth About the American Church’s Complicity in Racism, by Jemar Tisby
• DCC Special Lenten Offering for Reparations and Frequently Asked Questions

Things to Listen to [New] 

• 1619 by The New York Times
• Pod for the Cause by The Leadership Conference on Civil & Human Rights
• About Race by Reni Eddo-Lodge
• Code Switch by NPR
• Momentum: A Race Forward Podcast by Race Forward

For Children

• Anti-Racism Resources for Children [Updated]

For Young People

• Anti-Racism Books for Young People [Updated]
• What is Privilege (YouTube) [New]

For Parents

• Anti-Racism Reading List for Parents

For Adults

• Anti-Racism Reading List [Updated]

For families with young people

(not all appropriate for all ages of children)

• Filmography for Black History, Black Experience
• 22 critically acclaimed documentaries and biopics to celebrate Black History Month
• NEW: Warner Bros. has made the 2019 civil rights drama Just Mercy free to stream to educate viewers on systemic racism. You can stream it for free right now on Amazon.
• Bay Area cultural sites to visit 
• Talking with Kids about Race: Reading Between the Lines [curated list of reads]

If you would like to suggest additions to these lists, please email us.