Finally, A Christian Organization That Cares About Bias

Google introduced me to a PDF via the World Council of Churches’ website entitled, “Anti-Bias Churches: An Ecumenical Anti-(Un)Conscious Bias Toolkit,” and here’s why I love it.

First, as a writer who has long focused on pigmentation and phenotypic bias, I applaud the sociologically precise language used in a footnote defining racialized “Black people.”

Second, as a darker-skinned woman who is (slowly) building a bias library via Hope and Hardships, I enjoyed reading the reality check regarding (un)conscious bias noted in the toolkit’s preface and foreword, which was written by Rev. Prof. Dr. Jerry Pillay and Rev. Dr. Kenneth Mtata, respectively.

And finally, as a darker-skinned immigrant and U.S. citizen who was damaged by bias when I was forced to leave my homeland for America, Dr. Elaine Brown Spencer’s and Dr. Masiiwa Ragies Gunda’s true-to-life toolkit can accurately assist brown-skinned immigrants who have no idea what’s in store for them in beige-obsessed territories like the Segregated States of America.

Dearest hue-mans, I now believe that the relentless manifestation of skin tone bias within the body of Christ has earthly and eternal implications, which is exceptionally terrifying if one thinks critically about the moral test that stems from pigmentation or phenotypic diversity, while also pondering the two greatest commandments given by Christ.

I hope this toolkit lands on the digital desks of every church housed in this brokenhearted bubble that deeply understands we cannot afford to pretend we don’t have a universal skin color problem, especially as we advance in the first round of the global Dark Ages.

This practical and paramount PDF reactivated my belief that the Christian community can address skin tone bias in a bold, brilliant and biblical manner that nudges one to voluntarily become bias-conscious, and equally important, Christ-conscious.

REFLECTION

RECOMMENDED READING

World Council of Churches: Anti-Bias Churches: An Ecumenical Anti-(Un)Conscious Bias Toolkit, written by Dr. Elaine Brown Spencer and Dr. Masiiwa Ragies Gunda.

Forbes: 3 Reasons Why ‘Anti-Bias’ May Solve More Than ‘Anti-Racism,’ written by Khalil Smith and David Rock.