“Trauma and (Un)Truths: Promises Broken in God’s Name,” a series of webinars examining systems of oppression in church and society, will be presented by New Community, the Diocese of Los Angeles’ multicultural ministry, and Bishop Suffragan Diane M. Jardine Bruce beginning on Saturday, Aug. 22, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
The first session will be an introduction and overview of these series topics:
Doctrine of Discovery
Presented by the Rev. Canon Mary Crist and the Rev. Fennie Chang. The Doctrine of Discovery, established by European governments and ratified by early United States policy, held that the claims of European Christians took precedence over those of Indigenous peoples throughout the world, launching five centuries of human rights violations. The Episcopal Church repudiated the doctrine in 2009, yet it lives on through the church’s laws, systemic racism, and historical trauma. New Community is working to discover the untold truths in order to work together for change and to build Christ’s beloved community.
Racial Identity
Presented by Erika Bertling, Canon Suzanne Edwards-Acton, the Rev. John Limo and Gayle Kawahara. Although race has no scientific basis in biological or genetic reality, it is nevertheless a very real social construct intentionally designed to separate people into perpetual power hierarchies of superiority and inferiority. Whether or not individuals are aware of it, want it, or feel they have it, racial identity — especially in the deeply racialized history and culture of the United States, greatly affects all human experience. Racial identity is both externally imposed and internally constructed, and is crucial to understanding how people’s identities and experiences have been shaped by race.
Racial Capitalism
Presented by the Rev. Peter Kang, the Rev. Peter Huang, the Rev. Yein Kim and the Rev. Nick Griffith. Racial capitalism is a development of economic, political and social systems of oppression, formed by exploiting division between racial and cultural groups. These systems, sustained through power dynamics, are less likely to be seen as overt forms of racism and are instead demonstrated as hegemonic undercurrents. They exist in most systems of economy, including the church.
Additional webinars will explore each of these topics in depth:
- Saturday, Sept. 26, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Doctrine of Discovery
- Saturday, October 3, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Racial Identity
- Saturday, October 17, 1 – 3 p.m. (note time) Racial Capitalism
Spanish-language interpretation will be provided for all four webinars, which will be conducted via Zoom. Advance registration is required: click here. For additional information, contact Bishop Bruce at dbruce@ladiocese.org.