Social Justice at Holy Trinity
Holy Trinity actively works to dismantle racism and support racial equity and justice in the Lutheran Church and in our society.
We invite you to be part of our church’s anti-racism work by using the resources we’ve collected and curated here: articles, books, podcasts, movies, and more. We’ve also provided links to resources from the ELCA. If you’d like to join our Racial Equity Team, please e-mail office@holytrinityfallschurch.org with “Racial Equity Team” in the subject line.
Spring 2024 Highlights
Feb 10: Institutional Racism Workshop
Each of us can unwittingly perpetuate racism by embracing discriminatory institutional beliefs and practices. You're invited to a free Institutional Racism Workshop on Saturday, Feb. 10th, to examine your own institutions through the lens of racism and explore what role we can play in ending discriminatory beliefs and practices. This is a great opportunity to honor Black History Month.
Learn more and register online below.
Upcoming Events & Opportunities
June is Pride Month, and on June 4th we celebrate 7 years as an RIC (Reconciling in Christ) congregation. Learn more about what that means on the official RIC page.
June also includes Juneteenth (June 19), a national holiday celebrating the emancipation of enslaved people in the United States. Here are just a few opportunities to explore and celebrate this historic day.
Juneteenth Presentation and Poetry: Hear poetry readings and interesting presentations from local guest speakers on the topic of Juneteenth. Tues., June 20, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at Walter Reed. Sign up here.
Civil Rights Activist Barbara Johns: Learn about the Moton School Strike, a catalyst for the desegregation of public schools in Virginia. Tues., June 20, 1:30-2:30 p.m. Virtual. Sign up here.
Arlington's Black Communities: Sean Dennison with the Arlington Historical Society will discuss the history of Black communities in Arlington. Fri., June 23, 1-2 p.m. at Aurora Hills. Sign up here.
Learn More About Black, Indigenous and People of Color who defined the LGBTQ+ Movement
Books:
Giovanni's Room -- James Baldwin
Sister Outsider: Essays and Speeches -- Audre Lorde
The Color Purple -- Alice Walker
Film/TV:
American Experience: Stonewall Uprising
The Life and Death of Marsha P. Johnson
Articles:
‘Queering Black history’: Here are 5 LGBTQ pioneers to know (Washington Post)
HRC Honors These Five Latinx LGBTQ+ Historical Figures For Latinx Heritage Month (HRC)
Breathing Fire: Remembering Asian-Pacific American Activism in Queer History (NPS.gov)
Racial Equity Commemorations Calendar
As we approach and embrace the Lenten season, we invite you to reflect on the Racial Equity Commemorations Calendar, built by the Racial Equity team of the Metropolitan Washington, D.C. Synod, “as an invitation into the beautiful, painful, awesome, and rich history we share. We invite you to meet people who have been with us all along but who you may not know. This list is not meant to be exhaustive, but representative and to spark your curiosity. As you explore, you may lament the many injustices done and the pain and cruelty inflicted; but you will also assuredly celebrate the amazing people you will meet here.”
Read, Watch, Listen, & Learn
New suggestions for spring/summer 2022! Take advantage of these resources to learn about the history of white privilege so that together we can work toward dismantling white supremacy in the church through the promotion of racial justice.
BOOKS
ARTICLES
FILMS/TV SHOWS
PODCASTS
WEBSITES/SOCIAL MEDIA
Our Stories
“WHAT IT’S LIKE TO BE WHITE & BLACK”
Submitted By: Ethan Emerson Kabati
"Race has been an issue for me in my life in all kinds of ways, and I have a perspective on what it’s like to be black in our country and what it’s like to be white…"
REMEMBERING 1950’s AUGUSTA
Submitted By: Judith Baker
REI (Racial Equity Initiative) member, Judith Baker shares two stories of the racism she witnessed in her life, growing up in Augusta, Georgia.