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On Black History Month…and Grace and Truth Link Up

February 19, 2021 by Lauren 22 Comments

Well…best laid plans.  I intended to write a post on Black History month and continuing to educate ourselves on this important part of American history as well as the fight for racial justice.  But instead, snowpocolypse hit much of the south and Texas faced unprecedented (man, I weary of that word) power outages leaving us and millions of others without electricity, heat, and in some cases water.  All the while temps reached only into the teens and dropped to single digits every night.

 

Hotels booked quickly and roads were not safe to travel since the Lone Star State doesn’t have many sand trucks nor other equipment to clear the roads.  Sweet friends living just around the block blessed us with their electricity and extra beds.  Grateful can’t describe our feelings.  So grateful in fact, that upon finally moving back home, we returned the favor to another family without power.

 

We enjoyed great fellowship and some laughs, but not any alone time to work or write.  So here I sit – safe, sound and warm.  But out of time.  So I will simply simply share the things used to learn from in honor of Black History Month.

 

  1.  I’m Still Here:  Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness by Austin Channing Brown.  This book is hard to read.  But not nearly so hard as it was and probably still is for Ms. Brown to live.  And after hearing some of what can constitute a microaggression, I am more convinced than ever that I have more work to do personally.  I believe this author will continue to be a powerful voice in the battle for racial equity.
  2. How to Fight Racism with Jemar Tisby.  Since I already had my February read picked out, my husband joined me in watching this series based on the book of the same name.   Tisby lays out his ARC method – Awareness, Relationship and Commitment as a means of battling racial injustice.  He packs each 20 minute episode with eye opening, helpful and challenging information.  While episodes on Amazon cost $4.99 each (well worth it), if you have access to RightNow Media you can watch for free!
  3. Africa Before Transatlantic Enslavement and 5 Unsung Heroes of the Civil Rights Movement.  The folks at Be the Bridge reminded me that Black History Month is not just about the struggles of people of color, but their contributions.  They recommended these two articles.  I’m almost not smart enough to read the first.  It took some concentration.  But both taught me a lot!

You’ve still got time to commemorate this month.  And keep learning for months to come.  For more resources I recommend (books, movies and podcasts), click here.

 

And now for this week’s featured post!

I can’t think of a better thing to read this week of Valentine’s (and any week, really) than words straight from God’s word on “love”.  Visit candidlychristian.com for Heather Hart’s 6 Bible Verses About God’s Love.

Grace and Truth_Rules

1. Share 1 or 2 of your most recent CHRISTIAN LIVING posts. (No DIY, crafts, recipes, or inappropriate articles.) All links are randomly sorted.

2. Comment on 1 or 2 other links. Grace & Truth linkup encourages community.

3. Every host features one entry from the previous week. To be featured, include this button or link back here on your post (mandatory to be featured, but not to participate).

Grace Truth_ButtonGrace and Truth_Meet Hosts

We encourage you to follow our hosts on their blogs or social media.

MAREE DEE – Embracing the Unexpected
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

HEATHER HART & VALERIE RIESE – Candidly Christian
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

LAUREN SPARKS
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

LISA BURGESS – Lisa notes
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

Now Let’s Link Up!

 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

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Related

Filed Under: Christian, Grace & Truth Link Up, justice, race Tagged With: ARC method, Austin Channing Brown, Be The Bridge, Black History Month, Civil Rights Movement, How to Fight Racism, Jemar Tisby, racial justice, racism, snowpocolypse

Comments

  1. Joanne Viola says

    February 19, 2021 at 6:30 am

    It has been heartbreaking to see the hardship Texas is experiencing. I am so glad you not only were blessed by the hospitality of others but also were able to extend the same to others.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      February 19, 2021 at 12:32 pm

      Me too, Joanne. Thank you and continue to pray for us all down here.

      Reply
  2. Anita Ojeda says

    February 19, 2021 at 1:00 pm

    These all sound like excellent resources, Lauren! We have so much to learn in order to be anti-racist and not just ‘not racist’–there’s such a huge difference.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      February 19, 2021 at 5:00 pm

      I agree, Anita. Thanks for reading and responding.

      Reply
  3. Mariann Yip says

    February 19, 2021 at 5:40 pm

    I am so glad you shared everything in a perfect way. Good luck!

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      February 22, 2021 at 2:44 pm

      That is so kind of you, Mariann. Thank you for reading.

      Reply
  4. Jeanne Takenaka says

    February 20, 2021 at 11:08 am

    Lauren, I am so glad you had friends to share their electricity with you, and then your family was able to “pay it forward.” I can only imagine how chaotic things have been in TX in the past week.

    Thank you also for sharing these resources. I have so much to learn!

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      February 22, 2021 at 2:45 pm

      I am so glad too, Jeanne. And I am right there with you in the classroom!

      Reply
  5. Angie Caswell says

    February 22, 2021 at 11:21 am

    Texas definitely had a crazy week last week! I am in the panhandle, so we are “better equipped” than central and south Texas, but it was still “unprecedented” and everything closed. New to your link up! Hope you have a great (thawing) week!

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      February 22, 2021 at 2:46 pm

      Welcome to Grace and Truth, Angie. So very glad to have you. I pray everything is well with you and you sustained no damage or hardship last week.

      Reply
  6. Tammy Kennington says

    February 22, 2021 at 7:47 pm

    Hi Lauren,

    What a blessing to have friends nearby during the storm! I’m so glad to know you and your family are safe.

    Thank you for sharing these wonderful resources. I pray we can all learn from one another and have a heart of love and compassion as God’s people.

    Peace and grace,
    Tammy

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      February 23, 2021 at 8:24 am

      Good friends are one of my biggest blessings. Thank you so much, Tammy.

      Reply
  7. Maryleigh says

    February 22, 2021 at 8:53 pm

    I cannot imagine leaving my comfort place so soon after my spinal fusion last January – that must have been so hard for your daughter to rest well – and when our kiddos aren’t resting, Mama’s not resting! I love your heart – hospitality in a heart is one of the most beautiful things of all! Glad you are home and settling back in!

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      February 23, 2021 at 8:20 am

      I am too, Maryleigh. Kids are so much more resilient than we are. She did pretty great considering.

      Reply
  8. Tea With Jennifer says

    February 22, 2021 at 11:01 pm

    Wow, you guys have been having some tough times Lauren!
    Glad you’re back home 😀
    Blessings,
    Jennifer

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      February 23, 2021 at 8:17 am

      So are we, Jennifer! Thank you.

      Reply
  9. Sharon Hazel says

    February 24, 2021 at 2:22 pm

    The large scale loss of power in Texas made the news here aswell, so good to know that you have the support of friends in your community. Thank you for continuing to raise awareness of racial injustice, an ongoing learning process for all of us.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      February 25, 2021 at 12:13 pm

      Yes, I am so thankful for my friends. Always. Thank you for the encouraging words, Sharon.

      Reply
  10. Jerralea Winn Miller says

    February 25, 2021 at 3:30 pm

    Snowpocalypse touched our lives as well. I brought my husband home from the hospital from having open heart surgery just in time to get snowed in! God was so gracious to us that we did not lose power!

    I heard Jemar Tisby speak on Annie F. Downs’ podcast. I learned a lot!

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      February 26, 2021 at 10:42 am

      Oh no! What a double hardship for you and your husband. So thankful God took care of you with the power. And Jemar Tisby is excellent. Educated, well spoken and in touch with current and past history! And I love Annie F Downs too!

      Reply
  11. Shelbee on the Edge says

    February 28, 2021 at 6:32 am

    Lauren, thanks so much for sharing your resources for Black History Month to help further educate ourselves. The older I get, the more and more interested I am in human history. We are a strange and baffling species with the way we have treated one another throughout our entire history. Learning about it all is truly the best way to forge ahead in our evolution to become better humans and a better society. I am so glad to hear that you are safe and power is back and that you were able to pay forward the generosity and hospitality of your neighbors. Community is such an important and powerful resource for us all! Thanks for sharing and linking with me.

    Shelbee
    http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      March 1, 2021 at 12:20 pm

      I so agree about getting more and more interested in human history. I think that’s why my sociology classes in college were my favorites.

      Reply

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I love Jesus, my husband and caffeine. The order of these can change depending on how tired I am. When my two daughters, stepson, and 4 grandchildren get to be too much, I practice yoga. God graciously allows me to share our adventures, victories and flub-ups from my laptop. May He be glorified here.
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