COMING SOON: Past Reckoning: Exploring the Racial History of the Moravian and Episcopal Churches

 

"The Moravian-Episcopal Coordinating Committee’s Racial Reconciliation Working Group presents “Past Reckoning: Exploring the Racial History of the Moravian and Episcopal Churches.” This webinar series, on Wednesday nights, Jan. 25, Feb. 1 & 8, 7-8:30 p.m. ET, will look at the history of the two churches, from colonial times to the Civil War, from Reconstruction to Jim Crow, and Civil Rights to today. Connections will be made between our past and present to encourage the anti-racism work in which we are engaging now..." For more information see the announcement at episcopalchurch.org.

News: Church of England announces £100m fund after slavery links

 

"The Church of England is pledging £100m to 'address past wrongs,' after its investment fund was found to have historic links to slavery. The funding will be used to provide a 'better and fairer future for all, particularly for communities affected by historic slavery.' A report last year found the Church had invested large amounts of money in a company that transported slaves..." COE press release and report are linked from the article. (Source: bbc.com)

News: From slave mines in Monmouth to plantations in Jersey City, report details N.J.’s slavery history

 

"Forced labor in iron mines in Monmouth County, plantations in Hudson County and trafficking through Atlantic ports all contributed to New Jersey’s role in the devastation created by the Transatlantic Slave Trade, according to a report detailing the roots of one of the most 'horrific eras in world history.' Though much of the history is never taught in schools, New Jersey and other Mid-Atlantic states were central to slavery as it began to take form in America, according to Bryan Stevenson, the founder of the Equal Justice Initiative, a nonprofit group focused on racial justice and ending mass incarceration..." A link to the full report can be found in the article. (Source: nj.com)

News: Harvard professor says every device that relies on lithium battery is powered by slavery

 

"Harvard visiting professor and modern slavery activist Siddarth Kara has said that almost every lithium battery-powered tech device is powered by slavery in cobalt mines in the Congo..." (Source: easterneye.biz)

News: California reparations task force dives into what is owed

 

"After more than a year delving into history and studies to make its case for reparations to California descendants of enslaved Black people, a first-in-the-nation task force began deliberations Wednesday to quantify how financial compensation might be calculated and what might be required to prove eligibility..." Article links to the full California state reparations report. (See: apnews.com)

Opinion: How Might We Celebrate the Legacy of Flawed Leaders?

 "Is it possible to celebrate the achievements of American founders, steeped as they are in white male supremacy? As we reassess their legacies, including their limitations and outright flaws, are their records simply too checkered with blind spots, abuses of power and derelictions of support for the full range of humanity, not only on race, but gender, sexuality and many other categories?" (Source: religionnews.com)

News: 50 Million People in Modern Slavery

"Latest estimates show that forced labour and forced marriage have increased significantly in the last five years, according to the International Labour Organization, Walk Free and the International Organization for Migration." (Source: ilo.org)