Friday Finds

Friday Finds (5 June)

I was recently asked why Christians should care about racism. ‘Fighting an Old Normal‘ is a poem which I have written in reflection of Black Lives and to share what I believe the Bible says about power, race, human dignity and worth. As I have spent the week reflecting on these topics, this week’s Friday Finds includes ten resources which address racial bias in Australia and America from varying secular and biblical perspectives. 

1. SBS The Point: Black Lives Matter

In this episode, The Point examines deaths in custody in Australia and the US following the global Black Lives Matter demonstrations held in wake of George Floyd’s death.

2. Shoes Off Podcast – COVID 19 and Australia’s History of Racism 

In this Shoes Off episode, Jay Ooi addresses how Australia has a long history of racism, particularly against the Chinese, and the race based attacks we’ve seen as a result of COVID-19 show us we haven’t moved on from our past just yet. 

3. Interconnected Panel: Confronting Racial Prejudices between Asian American & Black Communities

This panel series hosted by the Asian American Christian Collaborative aims to map out the history of inter-minority conflict between Asian Americans and African Americans; it addresses the problem of racial biases from a biblical perspective; and, finally, it considers paths of healing and solidarity moving forward. 

4. How Churches Can Address Hidden Feelings of Prejudice and Racism

In this video, Jackie Hill Perry—writer, speaker, and artist—discusses how churches can seek to uproot sins of racism and insensitivity that can persist in a church: by creating a community that values the image of God in all people.

5. When They See Us (On Netflix)

This is a must-watch four part series based on the true story of the Central Park Five. In the spring of 1989, five boys of colour are arrested, interrogated and coerced into confessing to the vicious assault and rape of a white woman in New York’s Central Park. The quintet maintained their innocence and spent years fighting their conviction. 

6. ‘White Lies’: The Temptation to Cancel Ugly History

Brett Mccracken writes: “We should not excuse past sin by saying ‘there were different rules back then.’ God’s moral law is unchanging, and sin is sin regardless of whether it is culturally recognized as such.” 

7. Just Mercy (Film)

Just Mercy is based on the life work of civil rights attorney Bryan Stevenson. This film is a resource for anyone interested in learning about systematic racism. For the month of June, the film is available to rent for free across digital platforms in the US. 

8. ABC Background Briefing: WA’s stolen wages shame

Up until the 1970s, generations of Aboriginal workers in WA had their wages systematically stolen over decades, and only a small minority received reparation—just $2,000 in 2012. Sarah Dingle reveals the secret calculations that recommended a much higher sum, and government efforts to minimise payouts.

9. Poem: They Breathe

Zach Barnhart expresses some of his thoughts and feelings in this poem:

Death and life
in the tongue’s power.
The Black American’s tongue lacks power
to keep its own life safe from unjust death.

10. George Floyd, Tou Thao and the Parable of Our Times

Richard J Lee writes: “Daniel Hill, in his book, White Awake, uses Rev. Julian DeShazier’s definition of privilege as “the ability to walk away.” I was the Asian man in this video. Refusing to intervene. Conveniently avoiding the conflict which appears to be so clearly a black and white issue. Not needing to be involved in the messiness of the race conversation in America.”

Asian Australian writer sketching honest words from a hope-filled heart.