Understanding Race: Illusion, Identity, and the Path to Equity, pt. 2 | Tiny Pulpit Talks:030

In the second installment of our two-part series with members of the Racial Equity Task Force, Pamela Ice and Steve Jensen return to tackle the complex topic of reparations. Drawing on examples like Ta-Nehisi Coates’ The Case for Reparations, Hawaii’s historic efforts, and Fort Worth’s Broadway Baptist Church project, they explore how communities can address past injustices and pursue healing.

Pamela, Steve, and Rev. T. J. also discuss the intersection of spirituality and racial equity, the role of personal race stories, and new initiatives like racial healing circles. They reflect on the challenges of engaging a whole congregation and the ongoing work to document the church’s racial history.

This insightful episode asks: How can we grow as a community, confront our past, and build a just future?

🎙️ Don’t miss this thought-provoking conclusion to our series—like, comment, and subscribe to join the conversation!

00:00 – Introduction and discussion of reparations
00:50 – Ta-Nehisi Coates’ “A Case for Reparations”
01:03 – Personal connection to reparations in Hawaii
01:48 – Broadway Baptist Church’s reparations project in Fort Worth
02:10 – Story of a Black janitor and his artwork
03:20 – Rhode Island Episcopal Diocese’s reparations efforts
03:57 – Financial and sacred aspects of reparations
04:28 – Exploring inherited guilt and trauma
04:56 – “Journey Toward Wholeness” program experience
07:18 – The church’s ongoing effort to document its racial history
09:00 – Upcoming Racial Equity Task Force events at the church
13:26 – The WISE program and racial healing circles explained
15:08 – The misconception that white people have no race

Tiny Pulpit Talks is a podcast series from First Unitarian Church of Dallas that takes a behind-the-scenes look at ministry from a Unitarian Universalist perspective. This is a rare opportunity to see what goes into crafting meaningful and inspirational sermons, learn how worship comes together each Sunday, and explore the many facets of spiritual leadership. Subscribe to get updates about new episodes here on YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.