December 2024
by Katharine Robinson
We are all created in the image of God which means we are loved just as we are, but the inequality within our society does not reflect this picture. Working for justice is therefore the responsibility of all and Salisbury Diocese is committed to this work.
The Diocesan Racial Justice Working Group has been considering how we can respond to societal inequality. It has particularly focussed on how we can learn about the history of racism and how we can speak about racial justice in the many spaces we inhabit.
I recently attended the Waking up to Whiteness webinar hosted by Sarum College. It is clear that racism continues to have an impact. Though slavery and colonialism might appear to be in the past, the consequences of injustice continue to be felt throughout society. We all need to keep learning about our history and continue to raise awareness about the effects of racial inequality.
The question I am often asked is ‘why focus on racial justice?’ The implication is that there are many forms of inequality, from gender to class to sexuality to disability, and some may be more visible in our society. It is important to acknowledge that all these areas of inequality are of equal significance. It is also important to acknowledge that they are interconnected because whatever your ethnicity might be, you are also impacted by gender, class, sexuality and disability.
If you are you passionate about racial justice and committed to continued learning, please join our newly created Racial Justice Network across Salisbury Diocese. The network is open to anyone who is committed to racial justice, and it will aim to provide a space for mutual support and learning.
There will be an initial session to meet one another on Zoom on Thursday 9th January between 6pm-7pm.
If you are interested in being part of the network please contact Katharine Robinson via email on katharine.robinson@salisbury.anglican.org or call 01722 411922 for more information.
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The Revd Katharine Robinson is governance support officer at Salisbury Diocese. She was awarded an MA in Theology, Imagination and Culture from Sarum College in 2023.
In her January 2023 post on White Saviourism, the topic of her dissertation, she said:
“The most uncomfortable part of my research was the role played by European missionaries who travelled to continents such as Africa with their brand of Christianity. My research also highlighted the way the Bible was misused to justify slavery and colonialism. The impact of these actions is still felt in the church today, partly through the way it views mission, but also through the system of whiteness which remains a dominant force.” Read her web post
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