The Racial Justice Initiative

lives out our faith by accelerating Plymouth’s actions to heal pervasive racial injustice through individual, congregational, and community transformation.  RJI’s goals are threefold:  to deepen our personal awareness of white advantage in systemic racism, to fuel our commitment to actions that address racial injustice through a spiritual, honest, and compassionate approach to ourselves and others, and to pursue opportunities to work with organizations led by Black, Indigenous, People of Color and other allies committed to fostering racial justice in our communities.
Contact: Ann Manning at anncmanningmn (at) gmail.com or Barb Iverson at barbiverson100@icloud.com

Learn more about our stance for racial justice here:
UCC Racial Justice
Racial Justice Bibliography
Sermon: Antiracism as a Spiritual Practice I
Sermon: Antiracism as a Spiritual Practice II
Sermon: Antiracism as a Spiritual Practice III

Purpose Statement and Goals

Volunteer

The RJI is always looking for volunteers to assist with programming activities.  Topics and sub-committees include the following:  building working and personal relationships with organizations and fighting systemic racism; partnering with Isaiah and other local organizations on voter enfranchisement efforts; reforming police and improving public safety; communicating to the congregation about how people can get involved; fostering the congregation’s curiosity about U.S. history and dismantling the narrative about white supremacy, American exceptionalism and the history of race relations; promoting congregational dialogue through Racial Justice Circles and other ways; inviting speakers on racial justice topics; providing support and racial justice resources; cultivating a relationship between the RJI and the Immigration Welcome Working Group; enhancing resource offerings with books, articles, podcasts, movies and encourage internal reflection; leading book reviews; and encouraging members to share their personal experiences and to understand their own white privilege.  Please contact RJI co-chairs Ann Manning at anncmanningmn (at) gmail.com or Barb Iverson at barbiverson100@icloud.com

This I Believe | Racial Justice Is Personal is being launched by Plymouth’s Racial Justice Initiative. Our goal with these personal stories is to inspire reflection and action, and we offer them with humility and vulnerability. We hope these stories will inspire deeper thought about your own relationship to systemic racism.
We have recently begun publishing these video stories in weekly emails.
To receive the emails including these videos please contact dougf (at) plymouth.org.
For questions or to include your story in This I Believe | Racial Justice is Personal
please email Jean Kennedy jekennedy21 (at) comcast.net.

Upcoming Events!

View More Videos Here
Learn About The Process

Seeing White Podcast Series and Discussion

Have you ever asked the question: “What can I personally do to recognize my white advantage and become more antiracist? I really care about this, but I don’t know where to begin.”
Whether you’ve been involved in racial justice issues your entire life, for a couple of decades, or just a few months, the podcast series “Seeing White” is a superb way to familiarize yourself with how the concept of whiteness has shaped our nation.

All Plymouth members are invited to listen to this series at their own leisure and to then join a Zoom discussion on each episode on the fourth Tuesday of each month from 7:00 to 8:15 p.m. The first monthly discussion will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 24, and the final session will be Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022. Registration for the monthly podcast discussions is not required, and you do not need to attend every session

Seeing White:
On Crazy, We Built a Nation (part 4)

Join the Discussion

February 23, 7:00 p.m.

Seeing White:
Little War on the Prairie (part 5)

Join the Discussion

March 23, 7:00 p.m.

Seeing White:
That’s Not Us, So We’re Clean (part 6)

Join the Discussion

April 27, 7:00 p.m.

Seeing White:
Chenjerai’s Challenge (Part 7)

Join the Discussion

May 25, 7:00 p.m.

Seeing White:
Skulls and Skin (Part 8)

Join the Discussion

June 22, 7:00 p.m.

Seeing White:
A Racial Cleansing in America (Part 9)

Join the Discussion

July 27, 7:00 p.m.

Seeing White:
Turning The Lens (part 1)

Join the Discussion

November 24, 7:00 p.m.

Seeing White:
How Race Was Made (part 2)

Join the Discussion

December 22, 7:00 p.m.

Seeing White:
Made in America (part 3)

Join the Discussion

January 26, 7:00 p.m.