30 Days of Antiracism
#30DaysAntiRacism
Use this template to start your own “30 Days of Antiracism” with your church or community. Each day offers activities that help you to become more antiracist in the ways you think and act.
What inspired this project
Campus minister Morgan Stafford has committed himself to live an anti-racist faith and life. “As a white man, I have learned that I’ve benefitted from racism, while people of color have been harmed. I believe that white Christians must take the lead to confront and dismantle racism. It’s our job.”
To focus and make tangible his beliefs, Morgan spent the month of June doing at least one thing every day to listen to, learn from, do, and become more anti-racist, reporting his progress via social media. We at GCORR liked the idea and reached out to Morgan to share his story, what he accomplished, and how it’s changed and enhanced his spiritual growth and his work with young people.
As a result, GCORR invites white allies (and others) to a month doing #30DaysAntiRacism.
*Note: You can view a glossary of terms included in this resource at the bottom of this webpage.
Commit to beginning each day with prayer asking God to help you become more antiracist and a stronger ally with People of Color in our community, our church, and our world. Review your calendar and plan your activities for the month.
Journal about your own racial history.
When was the first time you noticed racial differences? What did your parents and grandparents model in relationships with people of other races and cultures? Use this questionnaire to start.
Participate in intercultural/antiracism conversations.
Find a discussion group or book club where intercultural or antiracism conversations are happening and ask to join.
Visit a worship service in a racial context other than your own.
Consider reading White Too Long by Robert P. Jones for a history of white supremacy in American Christianity.
Examine and confront your own implicit biases.
Create an antiracism study group.
Try using this resource. Gather people in your congregation who are ready to confront and address white supremacy and racism.
Support BIPOC (Black/Indigenous/People of Color) leadership in your church and public offices.
Diverse perspectives and knowledge are valuable in state or national politics, on the local school board and your church’s leadership. Support greater racial equity in organizations you care about.
Children start to notice racial differences as toddlers. Help them adapt to the reality of a diverse world and community by introducing them to historical and contemporary heroes of different races, ethnicities, and nations.
Learn a greeting, phrase, or short prayer in another language.
Take an online class. Use an app. Or ask a friend to teach you greetings, etc. In the U.S. church, the most widely spoken languages (besides English) are Spanish, Korean, Chinese, French, and Hmong. Especially if you interact with people whose first language is not English, learning at least some polite phrases could be a sign of courtesy.
For U.S. Grandparents’ Day, ask a grandparent to share their story of racism they encountered as a kid.
Be willing to be in the minority.
Most white Americans can choose to be in spaces where there are few if any People of Color. Authentic connections with People of Color are vital to living an anti-racist faith. Attend worship at a Black, Latinx, Asian, or Native American Church. Join the NAACP (which is open to people of all races and works for racial justice). Accompany friends of color to events that celebrate their cultures.
Patronize a BIPOC (Black/Indigenous/People of Color)-owned business in your town.
Consider local and online businesses owned and operated by people of Latinx, Pacific Islander, Asian, African, Native-Indigenous, or mixed heritage.
Donate to a Native American scholarship program.
Ask local tribal leaders or check with colleges and universities about available scholarships. The United Methodist Church offers the HANA scholarship for Hispanic/Latinx, Asian-Pacific Islander, and Native American students.
Share on social media a picture of what racial justice means to you.
Use the hashtag #30DaysAntiRacism.
Learn more about Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month.
It runs from September 15 to October 15. You can learn more here.
Increase your knowledge about people from Asian and Pacific Island heritages.
For International Week of Deaf People, learn about deaf culture.
Seek out a spiritual mentor from an unfamiliar cultural background.
Most Christians bring our unique cultural perspectives to the practice of faith. Expand your discipleship by studying/meeting with a spiritual advisor from a racial-ethnic group other than your own.
It is U.S. Voter Registration Day. Research voting rights in your municipality.
Additionally, read this article on the history of black voter suppression.
Plan to participate in an antiracism demonstration.
Check with local colleges, Black churches, and racial advocacy groups and ask how you might participate in either a virtual or actual public witness.
Amplify the voices of BIPOC leaders around the world.
Invite them to preach or lead your Bible study.
Pray on God’s call to you to be more active in antiracist Christianity.
Journal and write down what God calls you to do this week, this month, and this year.
Research the original occupants of the land you are on in honor of U.S. Public Lands Day.
Use this interactive map. Learn more about how to honor Native/Indigenous people in the Americans here.
Urge your councilperson to champion racial justice in your town.
If your representatives know that antiracism is important to their constituents, they are more likely to act. Speak up!
It’s National HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) week (U.S.); donate to a historically Black college/university.
Interrupt a racist joke, statement, or story.
Send your regular tithe/offering to a neighboring BIPOC church.
In many cases, white congregations have more money and resources than BIPOC because of historic racism in the community and church systems. Some white congregations seek to restore balance by sharing their wealth.
Engage with and invest in young leaders dedicated to antiracism work.
In our current climate, youth and young adults are leading movements of antiracism activism. Join with them, donate, offer to make calls and give out flyers, and re-post support on social media. Watch this United Methodist Town Hall on racial justice with emerging young leaders.
Celebrate the contributions of BIPOC leaders in the LGBTQIA+ rights movement.
Today is the National Day of Remembrance for U.S. Indian Boarding Schools. Learn about the history of Indian Boarding Schools in the U.S.
Glossary of Terms
Antiracism/Antiracist – The belief that racism is present in all levels of society and that active work is required in the form of practices and policies to combat that racism and move toward establishing a more just and equitable society for all people.
BIPOC – Acronym which stands for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color.
HBCU – Acronym which stands for Historically Black Colleges & Universities.
Implicit Bias – A bias that a person may not be aware they have. It is “what we don’t think we think.” A bias that is so ingrained in ourselves that we don’t realize we have it. Everyone has implicit bias by virtue of being raised in a society/culture.
Intercultural – A group or setting that contains more than one culture. These cultures may or may not be based on race/ethnicity. Different cultures can also be rooted in location/area of origin, age, sexual preference, gender identity, and more.
LGBTQIA+ - Acronym which stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, and more (+). For a full explanation of those terms, see our resource here.
Racial Justice – Impartial fairness, equity, morally good or correct standing as it relates to how different races are treated both as individuals and as a group in broader society.
