Educate

• Host a variety of educational activities such as book studies, movies, presentations, and conversations around topics of systemic racism, white privilege, anti-racism, and valuing diversity. We will encourage participants to identify and face their unconscious biases.

Advocate

• Encourage advocacy by speaking truth to power, working for anti-racist policies and practices, and actively seeking racial justice in areas such as racial equity in health care, education, housing, employment, and law enforcement.

Action

• Engage in direct action with partners within and outside of the church, building relationships of trust and solidarity with the goal of creating more just communities. This can include, but is not limited to, partnerships with the Equity Leadership Team, learning ministries at SOTV, Dakota County Coalition of Churches, and SPAS Advocates for Racial Equity.

Check back for more information!

Resources to talk with your kids:

• The Children’s Community School website offers resources and has a list of what little ones can do.
• NPR Life Kit: How White Parents Can Talk To Their Kids About Race
• CNN/Sesame Street Racism Town Hall
• “God’s Dream” by Desmond Tutu and Douglas Carlton Abrams. Watch Ali read the book.
• “This Book is Anti-Racist” by Tiffany Jewell. Written for middle school/young adult readers and families, but useful for all ages. 

Resources for adults:

• Sojourners: Online web resource and magazine on justice issues for people of faith 
• Recommended resources from individuals on the Equity Task Force
• “Waking Up White: And Finding Myself in the Story of Race” by Debby Irving
• Learn more background information on groups like the Boogaloo Boys in this MPR article
• Links from ISAIAH’s Facebook page
• Read about the ELCA’s commitment to combat racism and white supremacy here.
• If not us, who? If not now, when? ELCA Bishop Elizabeth Eaton addresses the call of the Lutheran church to action for racial justice (May 29, 2020)
• This is the Day: A statement from ELCA Bishop Elizabeth Eaton about current events of racism in the United States (June 5, 2020)
• CNN interview with Robin DiAngelo, author of White Fragility.
• The difference between being “not racist” and antiracist” (interview featuring nationally known author, Ibram X. Kendi.) 50 minute TED Talk or YouTube video. 
• Race in America by Holy Post. An 18 minute history lesson on the origins of racial injustice.
• The Air We Breathe on Hidden Brain, an insightful exploration of unconscious bias and implicit racism and how it can subtly and powerfully infect a culture.
• “Me and White Supremacy” by Layla F. Saad is a guidebook designed to lead the reader through a 30 day, step-by-step process to effectively reflect on white privilege.

SOTV’s past study materials:

• Book List
• Movie List

Cultural and History Learning:

• Black
  • Minnesota Spokesman Recorder (MSR) – Black Business Spotlight
• Latinx
• Indigenous
  • Native Americans
• Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI)
  • Hmong in MN

In addition to connecting with Shepherd of the Valley’s Racial Truth and Justice Group, these are some other ways to connect. 

• Twin Cities Lutherans for Racial Justice Facebook group: The group is a place to connect to work for racial justice, plan/share events, and have discussion. You can ask to join the group if you are not already a member. 
• ISAIAH’s Facebook page and isaiahmn.org
• ELCA Saint Paul Area Synod: Frequently publishes events and resources.
• ELCA Mpls Area Synod: Frequently publishes events and resources. 
• Minnesota Council of Churches 
• If you are not finding the connections you seek, contact Julie for further conversation. 

Advocacy

• MN Coalition: MN Coalition is a group of community organizations that has come together to work toward transforming police accountability, supporting families of stolen lives. This coalition is part of the growing movement across this country to address pandemic of injustice.

Volunteer

• First Nations Kitchen

Economic Action

It is important to support our BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, Persons of Color) neighbors by exploring and supporting their businesses. We have begun to develop a list of options to learn more about our neighbors and support them as they work to support themselves, their families, and their communities.

Please consider the following vendors:

• Midtown Global Market
  920 E. Lake Street, Minneapolis, MN 55407
  A collection of shops and restaurants by people of diverse ethnicities. https://midtownglobalmarket.org
• Idioma Coffee Roastery
  Farmington, MN
  Owned by Obed Santos, who works directly with farmers to source the highest coffee beans available. His roasting process brings out the unique flavor profiles each specific coffee bean has to offer. While he does not have a retail shopping location, his website describes each tasty blend and local delivery is quick. https://idiomacoffee.com  
• Makwa Coffee
  Roseville
  Highlights the local community as well as the Ojibwe culture of its owner  https://www.madwacoffee.com
• House of Curry
  Rosemount
  Try Sri Lankan cuisine
  http://houseofcurrymn.com
• Sodere Ethiopian Restaurant
  Eagan
  https://sodere-ethiopian-restaurant-bar.business.site/
  
• Mi-Sant
  Brooklyn Center
  Owned by second generation Vienamese American immigrants.
  https://mi-sant.com
• Black Garnet Books
  St Paul
  Black-owned bookstore https://blackgarnetbooks.com   
• Victor’s 1959 Café
  Minneapolis
  Features traditional Cuban food from breakfast through dinner. https://www.victors1959cafe.com
• Kobi Co.
  Offers a collection of self-care items and curated playlists, and uses a portion of the profits to fund an annual scholarship for young BIPOC women. https://www.lovkobico.com
• Cuban Café
  Minneapolis
  A South Minneapolis neighborhood restaurant that draws inspiration from Cuban American cuisine. https://guavascubancafe.com/
• Micho Love
  Apple Valley
  Locally family owned ice cream shop. Family immigrated from Michoacan.
• Coffee Shops – BIPOC Owners
  • Abogados Café in St. Paul – https://www.coffeeinlaw.com/
  • Flava Coffee Café in St. Paul – https://www.flavacafe.org/
  • Roots Café in St. Paul – https://www.facebook.com/IRootsCafe
  • Forreal Coffeehouse in Minneapolis – https://www.forrealcoffeehouse.com/
  • Mocha Mama’s Coffee in Minneapolis
  • Blackeye Roasting in Minneapolis – https://blackeyebeverage.com/
• Support Black-Owned Businesses in the Twin Cities
  https://mspmag.com/arts-and-culture/black-owned-businesses-in-the-twin-cities/