Anti-racism task force
If you would like to order a shirt proclaiming your support of the Anti-Racism Task Force,
click here to go to the Christ Church Merch store.
DECISION 2024
sunday | october 6
The Christ Church Anti-Racism Task Force hosts Decision 2024, a nonpartisan presentation about the November 5, 2024, general election. This seminar, developed by the League of Women Voters of Broward County, explores the where, how, why and when of the election. Presented by Susan Spragg, a member of the League of Women Voters of Broward and leader of the Anti-Racism Task Force.
DISCUSSION OF THE BOOK
CASTE and/or THE MOVIE
ORIGIN
sunday | june 9
A book steeped in empathy and insight, Caste explores, through layered analysis and stories of real people, the structure of an unspoken system of human ranking and reveals how our lives are still restricted by what divided us centuries ago. “Modern-day caste protocols,” author Isabel Wilkerson writes, “are often less about overt attacks or conscious hostility. They are like the wind, powerful enough to knock you down but invisible as they go about their work.” From this book and author Wilkerson's journeys, Ava Duvernay filmed the movie, Origin. Join us on Sunday, June 9, at 12:15pm for a discussion of the book and/or movie. Think about what we can do to overcome the caste system in our society and world today and what we can do to defeat it. The discussion will be in-person only. In collaboration with Partners in Racial Justice, Women of Color Empowerment Institute, Urban League of Broward County, Bread for the World, Faith in Florida, History Fort Lauderdale, and the League of Women Voters of Broward County. Christ Church is located at 4845 NE 25th Ave., Fort Lauderdale.
In recent months the Anti-Racism Task Force has held monthly gatherings for conversations and shared dozens of educational and cultural activity opportunities in the community.
We have addressed and written hundreds of postcards to returning citizens about potentially restoring their voting rights, participated in Education Town Halls, and marched in the 2024 Fort Lauderdale Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade. We curated 2024 Black History weekly video celebrations of community members making significant contributions to Black culture and the arts, hosted a discussion of the movie Rustin and toured Fort Lauderdale’s historic Woodlawn Cemetery.
We’ve heard a presentation by film producers about an upcoming feature documentary based upon Gilbert King’s Devil in the Grove, which the Task Force discussed and interviewed the author in 2022. We’ve hosted Holy Grounds, and organized a 5-day Green Book Civil Rights and Cultural History Tour to Atlanta, Montgomery, Birmingham and Selma for Task Force members in February.
The Anti-Racism Task Force led the Christ Church walkers in the 2024 Fort Lauderdale MLK Day parade on Monday, January 15. What an awesome time in the community, united by Dr. King's vision of communities engaging one another, acknowledging their differences and shared bonds, and striving to create what he called a “Beloved Community.”
KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON movie discussion
sunday | october 29 | 12:30pm |
Bahama Breeze restaurant
The Martin Scorsese movie exposes the exploitation and ultimate deaths of the Osage Nation after oil is discovered on Nation land they become some of the richest people in the world. See the movie in advance and join the Anti-Racism Task Force for a discussion of the movie at Bahama Breeze restaurant.
Email Susan Spragg,
co-leader of the task force, know if plan to attend so we have a table large enough for all.
BOOK DISCUSSION: JUST ACTION
thursday | september 21
Rev. Nathan Adams, lead pastor of Christ Church, leads a discussion of
Just Action: How to Challenge Segregation Enacted under the Color of Law. State Sen. Rosalind Osgood (D- District 32) and others share programs in place in the area, and insights into actions suggested by the authors. The book is written by Richard Rothstein, author of the
New York Times
bestseller The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America. He
revisits the issue of residential segregation created by multiple levels of the government in this new book. Co-authored with his daughter Leah Rothstein, a housing policy expert, they offer hope and practical solutions for local community groups to begin to redress inequities and challenge segregation.
MONTHLY CONVERSATIONS
first sundays | 12:15pm | fort lauderdale campus fellowship halls
Join others committed to fighting racism and building Beloved Community with a monthly conversation about events and actions to be taken. We share our reactions to recent events in our community (both a local and broader definition of community). We also look forward to hearing what is on your mind and in your heart. Usually light refreshments are available.
TOUR OF WOODLAWN CEMETERY
saturday | march 18
Roberto Fernandez III, historian in residence at History Fort Lauderdale and adjunct history Instructor at Florida International University, led a walking tour of Woodlawn Cemetery, listed on the National Register of Historic Places and one of Broward’s five historic African American cemeteries. During the two-hour tour participants learned about the lives and stories of the early Black pioneers of Fort Lauderdale and the contributions they made to the city. The cemetery is located at 1936 NW 9th St., Fort Lauderdale.
BOOK DISCUSSION GLORY TO GOD IN THE LOWEST
On February 15, the Anti-Racism Task Force hosted a Zoom discussion of
Glory to God in the Lowest: Journeys to an Unholy Land
with author Donald E. Wagner.
This memoir documents Wagner’s personal, political, and religious journey from conservative evangelical Christian pastor to protector of the poor, opponent of war and racism, and advocate for Palestinian rights.
Joining the conversation was Rev. Dr. Alex Awad, a retired missionary under the General Mission of the United Methodist Church in Israel / Palestine.
Click here for Wagner's study guide for the book
Video of the February 15 discussion
Click here to learn more about the United Methodists for Kairos Response - Peace And Justice Advocacy For Palestine And Israel
A powerful film on Christian zionist influence in the US that was to air on PBS titled ¨Til Kingdom Come,¨ is available on a number of streaming services.
FREE FILM & DISCUSSION 13th
In recognition of Black History Month, the Anti-Racism Task Force, with the L.A. Lee YMCA/ Mizell Community Center, hosted a free viewing of Ava Duvernay's documentary film 13th and discussion on Friday, February 10, at the Victory Black Box Theater, 1409 NW Sistrunk Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale. The film explores mass incarceration and racial criminalization from the end of slavery to the present, charting the ten-fold increase in America’s prison population in the last 50 years. Although the event is over, the film is available for viewing on Netflix.
MARCH IN THE KING HOLIDAY CELEBRATION PARADE
Christ Church marched in the Fort Lauderdale King Holiday Celebration parade for the first time ever on Monday, January 16, 2023. It felt great to show our community that we are an anti-racism, social justice-seeking church.
PANEL DISCUSSION "DON'T SAY" EDUCATION
How recent Florida legislation impacts K-12 education
wednesday | january 11 | 7:30pm | on Zoom
Learn how recent Florida laws, standards and guidelines affect teaching of history and social studies, as well as media that is available in K-12 schools. This panel discussion is hosted by the League of Women Voters of Broward County and the Anti-Racism Task Force of Christ Church United Methodist, Fort Lauderdale. As of December 13, panelists include Florida State Senator Shevrin Jones, District 34, Senate Education and Appropriation committees; Michelle Jarrett, president of the Florida Association for Media in Education (FAME); Roberto Fernandez III, historian-in-residence at History Fort Lauderdale and adjunct instructor at Florida International University; Barbara Segal, government teacher at Fort Lauderdale High.
Click here to watch the discussion
Authors Robert Samuels and Toluse Olorunnipa meet with representatives of the Anti-Racism Task Force at the Miami Book Fair on November 20, 2022. Samuels and Olorunnipa wrote His Name is George Floyd, one of the Task Force community reads.
BOOK DISCUSSION
KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON
The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI
Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI by David Grann, depicts how Osage people were caught in the tension between their cultural heritage and traditions and progress of the modern world, and demonstrates the racism the Osage experienced at the hands of white American culture. With government officials’ establishment of a white male guardian system to oversee the Osage people’s wealth, mandatory boarding school requirements, and oversight bodies like the Office of Indian Affairs, acts of racism allowed whites to view Native Americans as subhumans and set into motion this story of greed, deceit, betrayal, prejudice, inhumanity, evil and heroism. A movie based upon the book is scheduled to be released next year.
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BOOK DISCUSSION:
HIS NAME IS GEORGE FLOYD
One Man's Life and the Struggle for Racial Justice
The killing of George Floyd on May 25, 2020, was the impetus for forming the Anti-Racism Task Force. That event is regarded as an American racial and political reckoning that moved the nation closer to acknowledging the structures that led to its large social movement.
Click here to watch a recording of the discussion.
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DINNER. DREAM. PLAN.
a recap of august 25 meeting
What are microaggressions and their impact? What are the challenges of living for people of color? What can we learn about local history and different cultures in our area? These are just some of the areas that the Anti-Racism Task Force and allies consider next areas of exploration and discussion. Click here for a complete report of the evening.
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COURAGEOUS CHURCHES
confronting whiteness in worship and community
saturday | july 30 | a day apart retreat
click here to read a summary of the day and to see pictures
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JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION
saturday | june 18 | 10am
st. john umc | 1520 nw 5th st | fort lauderdale
click here to watch a recording of the service on Facebook
click here to read an article about the Juneteenth service
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SHE HAD A DREAM
Eula Johnson's Fight to Desegregate Broward County
exclusive screening & conversation
sunday | june 5 | 1pm | fellowship halls
The Anti-Racism Task Force and History Fort Lauderdale hosted a free, exclusive screening and conversation about the film,
She Had a Dream: Eula Johnson's Fight to Desegregate Broward County. The film is based on the personal account by Eula Johnson - in her own words - of what it was like organizing the 1961 Fort Lauderdale Beach Wade-Ins over 60 years ago. This film presents historical events with a powerful message that democracy requires active practice of civil duty. Patricia Zeiler, Executive Director of History Fort Lauderdale, led the discussion of the film, Civil Rights, the Wade-Ins, and Eula Johnson's legacy. The film's director, Janay Joseph, attended.
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JUST MERCY BOOK DISCUSSION
wednesday | may 25 | 7pm | on Zoom
watch a recording of the discussion
The Anti-Racism Task Force of Christ Church United Methodist invites you to discuss "Just Mercy," a powerful true story about the potential for mercy to redeem us and a clarion call to fix our broken system of justice. This book by Bryan Stevenson is a New York Times best-seller, called one of the most influential books of the decade by CNN, and the subject of a major motion picture.
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AFFIRMING DIVERSITY / LOCAL HISTORY WORKSHOP
click here to watch the Zoom recording
Christ Church's Anti-Racism Task Force welcomed the community to an interactive workshop to learn about the impact of laws, policies and practices in local systems and institutions that have historically led to disparities in treatment, opportunities and outcomes for many children and families. This learning experience will illuminate Broward County’s history of racism and resistance, define relevant terms, explore implicit biases, and develop an action plan for interrupting and reducing implicit bias. Presenters will share strategies to create more favorable outcomes and improve community conditions for everyone. Presented by the Children's Services Council of Broward County.
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ANTI-RACISM TASK FORCE LEADERS ON NATIONAL WEBINAR
On Tuesday, April 19, leaders of the Anti-Racism Task Force talked about “How to be an Anti-Racist Church” on a national webinar with The Asian American Language Ministry Plan, the New Federation of Asian American United Methodists and the Baltimore Washington Annual Conference. Then-Lead Pastor Brett Opalinski, Susan Spragg, Linda Bajkowsky and Marcus Webber will talk about how churches "do" anti-racism work and strive to become anti-racist churches.
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DISCUSSION OF
DEVIL IN THE GROVE
Watch the March 6 discussion here.
Then-Lead Pastor Brett Opalinski led a discussion of the book Devil in the Grove , the Anti-Racism Task Force's community read for the first quarter of 2022. Carol Greenlee and Josh Venkataraman joined the conversation about this true story of racial injustice and wrongful indictments in Florida. Carol is the daughter of the youngest of the wrongly convicted Groveland Four, and Josh is the University of Florida student who started a petition to press for pardons and exoneration for the Groveland Four. Here's a link to a book about his campaign, Accidental Activist: Justice for the Groveland Four . In this book, you'll discover the incredible four-year quest for justice for The Groveland Four, and learn how to pursue your own causes. Accidental Activist is a primer for positive action, and a journey through Florida's past as well as its future.
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Gilbert King, author of Devil in the Grove
Watch the author's seminar here.
Gilbert King, author of Devil in the Grove, talked about his journey of writing the book and the legacy of the Groveland Four on Wednesday, February 16. This opportunity is hosted by the Anti-Racism Task Force of Christ Church, in collaboration with Gwen S Cherry Black Women Lawyers Association, League of Women Voters of Broward County, Urban League of Broward County Young Professionals Network, Partners in Racial Justice, Women of Color Empowerment Institute, History Fort Lauderdale, and the Racial Equity Council of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce.
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UNDERSTANDING THE RACIAL WEALTH GAP
Watch a recording of this learning experience here.
On Thursday, January 20, the Anti-Racism Task Force, the League of Women Voters, of Broward County and Bread for the World hosted a virtual learning experience that helps people understand the connections among racial equity, hunger, poverty, and wealth. The simulation guides participants to an understanding of why racial equity is so important to ending hunger and poverty in the United States. Our hope is that participants, in becoming more aware of structural inequality, can support policies that undo and/or reduce disparities.
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A CONVERSATION WITH CECILE SCOON
President, Florida League of Women Voters
Watch a Conversation with Cecile Scoon here.
On Monday, November 29, Cecile Scoon shared her personal story of awakening as a young Black woman and the journey that led her to become a civil rights attorney and the first Black woman elected president of the Florida League of Women Voters.
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ABOUT THE ANTI-RACISM TASK FORCE
Christ Church, along with other churches in the Florida Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, is on a journey to confront the sin of racism in ourselves, our church, and in the world. We are committed to working towards a church community that reflects the beautiful diversity of the Kingdom of God.
Advocacy for those who are marginalized by society is a long-standing initiative of the Methodist movement. However this commitment has been renewed and reinvigorated by the response to the public deaths of Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd and Rayshard Brooks. At the same time, the COVID-19 pandemic has revealed inequities in our society, and the recent killings have led to the urgent need to respond more clearly and intentionally to racism within our annual conference and across our state.
If you feel called to join this effort, you are invited to become a part of the Anti-Racism Task Force at Christ Church. This group works to help the congregation learn about and respond to issues around faith, justice, and racism.
Initial efforts will focus on becoming educated on matters related to racial justice. The group has read or is reading the following books:
Current Reads
August-September 2022
His Name Is George Floyd: One Man's Life and the Struggle for Racial Justice
by Robert Samuels and Toluse Olorunnipa of
The Washington Post
October 2022
Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI
by David Gran
Past Reads
Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson
Devil in the Grove: Thurgood Marshall, the Groveland Boys, and the Dawn of a New America
by Gilbert King
His Truth is Marching On: John Lewis and the Power of Hope by Jon Meacham
Down Along with that Devil's Bones: A Reckoning with Monuments, Memory, and the Legacy of White Supremacy,
by Connor Town O'Neill
The Nickel Boys,
by Colson Whitehead, winner of the 2020 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction
The Color of Law, by Richard Rothstein
How to Fight Racism: Courageous Christianity and the Journey Toward Racial Justice,
by Jemar Tisby
The Black Church: This is Our Story, This is Our Song, by Henry Louis Gates Jr.
The Time is Now, by Joan Chittister.
Roots, by Alex Haley
This is the Fire,
by Don Lemon
White Rage: The Unspoken Truth of our Racial Divide,
by Carol Anderson
Biased: Uncovering the Hidden Prejudice That Shapes What We See, Think, and Do,
by Jennifer L. Eberhardt PhD
If you feel called to be a part of this work and to attend our meetings on Zoom, please email Susan Spragg at artf@christchurchfl.org.
