Vision & Purpose
At Tapestry LA we realize that the local church should serve as a sign and foretaste of Christ’s coming Kingdom. With this mission we understand that how we identify ourselves in light of race and ethnicity makes a huge impact on being the witness that Christ has called us to be.
In the pursuit of embodying the Gospel we want to offer this resource to help you, the church, further this Kingdom vision of being a body of all colors and class and by taking those small but significant steps towards equity and racial reconciliation. The following are varied offerings of how we can respond through the posture of learner but also actor.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact us at [email protected].
In the pursuit of embodying the Gospel we want to offer this resource to help you, the church, further this Kingdom vision of being a body of all colors and class and by taking those small but significant steps towards equity and racial reconciliation. The following are varied offerings of how we can respond through the posture of learner but also actor.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact us at [email protected].
Steps to Take
Pray, Lament, Repent
We recognize that the issues of racism and discrimination are not mere sociological or institutional ones. It is rooted in spiritual depravity and needs to be addressed. As we make steps towards greater understanding and reconciliation we need to approach this with prayer, lamenting and repenting.
Educate Ourselves
Often our opinions about certain topics are shaped by hearsay and attitudes or dispositions adopted by those around us thus perpetuating misinformation and prejudice. To better equip ourselves we need to have better information. By educating ourselves we will be able to facilitate thoughtful discussions and make more informed decisions. We've compiled a non-exhaustive list of suggested readings, videos, and talks below.
Volunteer
One of the best ways to respond is by providing your presence. Often good intentions are left at just that without ever having taken the first step. Consider partnering with Tapestry LA as we seek to combat the areas of racism, discrimination and inequity in our own city, church and lives.
Donate
Consider financially supporting one of these local or national organizations that are on the forefront of the fight against injustice and inequity.
Some examples are:
Some examples are:
Engage Civically
Participate in local and national elections. Read the agendas, discuss and prayerfully consider who you should vote for in upcoming elections. These votes count towards helping undo the systems of injustice that are so ingrained within our politics and the way we run our country. Attend city council meetings and help establish a greater presence through emails and calls as the respective representatives are required to take note.
For the City of Los Angeles:
For the City of Los Angeles:
Suggested Educational Resources
While we have provided a range of resources to read, listen, and watch, it is by no means an exhaustive or complete list.
We encourage you to continue learning and taking steps towards racial equity and justice.
We encourage you to continue learning and taking steps towards racial equity and justice.
Listen
- AND Campaign: Church Politics Podcast
- BBC: Witness Black History
- Conversation on Anti Asian-American Racism with Dr. Daniel Lee
- Footnotes with Jemar Tisby
- Jemele Hill is Unbothered
- Momentum: A Race Forward
- Tapestry LA Daily (5/26/2020) – Race Relations
- Tapestry LA Daily (5/29/2020) – Guest Interview with Pastor Cami King
- Tapestry LA Daily (6/12/2020) – The New Testament and Slavery
- The Daily (6/07/2020) – The Condition of Black Life is One of Mourning
- 1619 Podcast
Watch
- Selma on Amazon (currently streaming free)
- A Ballerina's Tale on Amazon
- Interconnected by Asian American Christian Collaborative
- Fruitvale Station on Netflix
- The Racial Wealth Gap (S01E03) on Netflix
- Documentary: Asian Americans on PBS
- Documentary: The Talk – Race in America on PBS
- Documentary: The African Americans - Many Rivers to Cross on PBS
- Prayer Vigil for Justice and Reconciliation
Read
Books
- Divided by Faith by Christian Smith and Michael O Emerson
- From A Liminal Space: An Asian American Theology by Sang Hyun Lee
- How to be Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi
- Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson
- Prophetic Lament: A Call for Justice in Troubled Times by Soong Chan Rah
- Right Color, Wrong Culture by Bryan Loritts
- The Color of Compromise by Jemar Tisby (or watch on Amazon)
- The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan
- White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo
- Woke Church by Eric Mason
Articles
- Eight Black Church Leaders on Ahmaud Arbery
- Racial Microaggressions in Everyday Life
- The Model Minority Myth
- The New York Times: What the Bible Says About Black Anger
- 28 Daily Reads Based on Race
Other
Resources for Children and Parents
Learn
Watch
- Hidden Figures on Amazon (also on Hulu)
- The Color of Friendship on Amazon (also on Disney+)
- Remember the Titans on Disney+
- The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind on Netflix
- Teaching Your Child About Black History Month on PBS
- Let's Talk – How to Talk to Your Kids About Race on PBS
- Sesame Street: Racism Town Hall
- 21 Anti-Racism Videos to Share with Kids
Read
Babies & Toddlers
- A is for Activist by Innosanto Nagara
- Can You Say Peace by Karen Katz
- Counting on Community by Inosanto Nagara
- It's Okay to be Different by Todd Parr
- 10 Tiny Babies by Karen Katz
Children
- A Kids Book About Racism by Jelani Memory
- Anti Racist Baby by Ibram X Kendi
- Don't Touch My Hair by Sharee Miller
- Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry
- Her Right Foot by Dave Eggers and Shawn Harris
- I Am Enough by Grace Byers
- Let the Children March by Monica Clark Robinson
- Something Happened in Our Town: A Child’s Story About Racial Injustice by Marianne Celano
- Sulwe by Lupita Nyong'o
- The Color of Us by Karen Katz
- Where Are You From? by Yamile Saied Mendez
Young Adult
- Just Mercy (YA Version) by Bryan Stevenson
- Freedom's Children by Ellen Levine
- Stamped (YA Version) by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X Kendi
- The New Kid by Jerry Craft
- Books for children and young adults from the list of Coretta Scott King Book Award Winners