Last Thursday, 4 June, I felt stirred to bring some clarity to the many different thoughts that had been swirling round my head. Up until then, I was not sure whether, what or how to comment regarding the killing of George Floyd and the subsequent protests regarding racism in the U.S. and now across the world.
This video is a testimony of my wrestlings with that question. It is, therefore, not at all important compared to the issue at hand. This is not intended to be any kind of substantive consideration of the very serious root issues of racism. In the YouTube video description, I listed a few videos people have pointed me to which I’ve found very helpful.
(On the question of what to speak up on (or not), and how, I would hugely recommend this article by Andrew Wilson, a pastor from London.)
Join me in some reading?
As mentioned towards the end of the video, I would like to invite you to join me in reading through a couple of books regarding racism.
I intend to read two books (to begin with, at least) written by non-white authors – one from a Christian perspective, one not. At least one of the books will be specifically focused on the history and current reality of racism here in the United Kingdom.
Would you like to read along? We’ll go slow – maybe a chapter a fortnight. Then the idea is as simple as us all meeting up (probably by Zoom) to just share and discuss what we’ve encountered and learned. Find out more and register interest here. (There are currently around 30 people signed up, with about half of those coming from the Hillview & Kintore church family.)
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened…”
Let’s be praying for our country and our world, that we hear and respond to Jesus’ call. How we need Him.
Martin J Clarke, June 2020