In Search of Shalom: A Race & Justice Book Discussion Series

In Search of Shalom is a multi-month book discussion series in 2020-21 that gave many the opportunity for examination of racial justice from a Christian perspective in a variety of realms. Participants were provided with a monthly reading list, including books, podcasts, articles, and other materials pertaining to each month’s topic. Participants engaged with the materials before each month’s meeting and gathered to discuss via Zoom. We were also blessed to hear from various speakers who shared their knowledge and experience on each topic. The monthly sessions were open to anyone who would like to engage in these significant conversations, including but not exclusive to undergraduates, graduate students, faculty, and staff. We are pleased to continue offering the recordings of these conversations as well as an extensive resource list for continued dialogue, learning, and growth for all who are interested. We invite you to share these events with your small groups and hold your own discussions as well.

March 21: Race, Justice and the Church

Let’s investigate the ways the Church has both eroded and pursued racial justice. Let's discover how we, individually and collectively, can work towards bridging the chasms and restoring Shalom. View full ISOS resource list here and view the video recording of this event.

February 21: Race, Justice and Immigration

We are called to love our neighbors as ourselves, but it often seems like we’ve allowed national borders to delineate who that neighbor is. Is God’s justice for all or just for us? This month, we discussed what it means to extend justice to those (the neighbors?)coming through our borders. Watch the recording of Kevin R. Johnson, Dean, Mabie-Apallas Professor of Public Interest Law, and Professor of Chicana/o Studies at UC Davis School of Law, and Mr. Elket Rodriguez, Immigration and Refugee Advocacy Specialist for Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and Fellowship Southwest, as they teach us about the intersection of Race, Justice and Immigration in the United States. Join us on February 21st as we investigate how to uplift and respect the image of God in every human being, regardless of how they entered into the country, as we continue our journey in search of Shalom. View resource list here on page 5.

Sponsored by GFM Pacific Area and GFM-BSAP.

January 17: Race, Justice and the Economy

January 17th we discussed the topic of Race, Justice, and the Economy with Mr. Shawn Rochester, author of The Black Tax. See page 4 of the Resource List to learn more and enjoy the recording of the event. Thank you to both our guests and participants for your time and dedication to further understanding around these issues.

December 13: Race, Justice and Mass Incarceration

Session 4 of In Search of Shalom was held Sunday, December 13 with Dominique Dubois Gilliard, author of Rethinking Incarceration: Advocating for Justice that Restores, discussing the topic of Race, Justice, and Mass Incarceration. Check out the resource list here and we hope the recording below will encourage your continued learning.

November 15: Race, Justice and Education

Among other resources you can find on the Reading List, we will delve into Christopher Emdin’s For White Folks who Teach in the Hood… and the Rest of Y’all Too, with Brielle Welch, former teacher and National Associate of Development at a teacher-led advocacy organization in NYC. Click below to view the recording.

October 25: Race, Justice, and Healthcare

What’s wrong with the healthcare system, and what are we called to do about it? The COVID-19 pandemic has spotlighted stark racial inequities in health, that have existed for centuries. What causes these inequities? How can we address them? What can we do to seek justice and restore Shalom?  In our second discussion in the In Search of Shalom series, we were delighted and humbled by both of our speakers Dr. Marisha Collins who talked about Race, Biology and Bias in the Life Sciences and Thurston Benns who shared insights from Sheila Wise Rowe’s book, Healing Racial Trauma. The information that both presented was thought-provoking and enlightening, and the Q&A and discussions in the breakout rooms afterward were robust and productive! Click the video below to watch the recording on YouTube.

September 30: Race, Justice, and the Gospel

Our first discussion in the In Search of Shalom series! Let's discover and discuss the message of the Gospel and God's vision of Shalom, and the implications they have on race and justice in our context. We so enjoyed discussing Lisa Sharon Harper's The Very Good Gospel: How Everything Wrong Can be Made Right and we were blessed to have Lisa herself speak at this event! View the recording of this session below on YouTube.

This series is co-sponsored by Black Scholars and Professionals (BSAP) and GFM Pacific Area.