Rev. Dr. Fatimah S. Salleh
THURSDAY | AUGUST 6 2020 | 7:30-9:00 pm
How does faith—especially the Christian faith—intersect with themes of inequality and racial injustice?
GATHERING AT:
Your home or hang out of choice via Zoom.
Jana Spangler will host us again. Thank you Jana. Below is some helpful info for being part of a Zoom convo. Close to the event date I will send the Zoom link via email. If you are not on my email list then either join at the bottom of this site’s home page or text me at 801-695-5036.
Grab a comfortable chair and join us!
THE CONVERSATION:
This discussion will explore how dismantling racism can be examined as part of our faith journeys. How much has racism already been a part of our institutional and personal faith? Is activism to change injustice justified by the Christian God and if so, when and what kind of activism is appropriate? Can we even make a dent and difference in the societal problems and if so what are the most loving and faithful ways to do do so? These are all questions that I have that I am seeking answers to. The Rev. Dr. Fatimah S. Salleh, has been kind and generous enough to share her experience and insights on these matters. A special thanks to group member Andi Pitcher Davis for connecting me with Fatimah and providing a small stipend to support her leading our discussion.
After Fatimah introduces the topic and shares some of her story and observations, we will break into smaller virtual groups to explore your experiences and thoughts on the topic. There is no pressure to participate in this but some of the most meaningful conversations are held in these small groups. We’ll then come back to the larger group and share what came up as well as have the opportunity to ask Deeda questions. (Please remember to share air time. You can find guidelines for productive conversations here).
If you’d like to dive deeper into these themes, Fatimah will begin August 4th, a 6 week online workshop called Spit and Mud. It explores “The Messy Miracle of Seeing Christian Racism through a faith-based series tackling racism from a theological perspective.” You can sign up for that here: Spit and Mud: The Messy Miracle of Sight.
ABOUT FATIMAH
Rev. Dr. Fatimah S. Salleh was born in Brooklyn, NY to a Puerto-Rican and Malaysian mother and an African American father. She is the eldest of seven. Dr. Salleh received her PhD in Mass Communication from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She also earned a Master’s degree from Syracuse University in Public Communication and a second Master’s in Divinity from Duke University. She is married to Eric Sorensen and they have four children. She is currently the founder of A Certain Work, an educational organization dedicated to a faith-based approach on issues of equity, inclusion, social justice and belonging. She is the co-author of the book, The Book of Mormon for the Least of These.
EXPLORE BEFORE WE MEET:
Here are a couple of things I found worth exploring:
LISTEN TO OUR RECORDED CONVERSATION HERE
NOTES FROM THE CHAT OF THE CONVERSATION:
From Andi Pitcher Davis : Here is a link to the YouTube of Marlena’s piece if you had difficulty hearing: https://youtu.be/wwiKSMhK5Fw
From Alan Jones : Although not a black author, a wonderful book is Accidental Saints: Finding God in All the Wrong People, by Nadia Bolz-Weber
From Andi Pitcher Davis : “The Preacher King”, by Dr. King can be found here
From Alan Jones : It is interesting how differently we as Christians define “Justice”
From Andi Pitcher Davis : Mormons are really wonderful at works, and somewhat faith, but I have come to grips that we as a people are really lacking in a belief that we worship a God of JUSTICE. I myself have found myself saying, “There is no justice — just us.” I right now need to revisit this premise and wrap my mind around a God of justice. Admittedly, it is a stretch for me, but I thank you for the invitation.
From Michael Austin : The King James Version of the Bible is not very helpful to us here. In several dozen very key places, it translates at “judgment” what almost every other translation renders as “judgment.” So, for example, our version of Isaiah 30:18 reads “The LORD is a God of judgment.” Everyone else’s Bible reads “The Lord is a God of justice.” It makes a difference.
From Andi Pitcher Davis : Dr. Salleh mentioned last week during her Sunstone keynote that she prefers this edition of the Harper Collins revised study bible. Mine is now being shipped on her suggestion.
From Jay/Andi Pitcher Davis : Dr. King’s “Letter from Birmingham” can be found here.
From Jody England Hansen : I offer my blessings to you, dear Fatimah. Thank you for this. I have to go to a family meeting. Thank you thank you thank you.
From Jana Spangler : So beautiful, Fatimah. I am so moved.
From Fatimah : fatimah@acertainwork.org
TIPS FOR BETTER ZOOMING
Before you begin the Zoom Conversation:
- Prior to when we meet, get your camera and mic ready and troubleshoot any problems. It would be wise to do a dry run with the camera and microphone on your device before we converse. Best to have the camera at eye level so that it is as if we would talk to each other in person. You can use a smartphone, tablet, laptop, or desktop.
- If you are having difficulty with the technology, don’t hold up the meeting by distracting other participants for solutions. Try Googling your problem. I do that with most of my life’s problems.
- Find a quiet place to get comfortable and that you can hang out in for a couple of hours.
- Be aware that the rest of the group can see you and what is behind you. Avoid having bright lights, distracting images, or people or pets wandering around behind you. No Bigfoot bombing in the background please.
- Please don’t wander around doing other things. This is not General Conference, it’s a CONVERSATION.
- And don’t pick your nose. Besides, we aren’t supposed to be touching our faces anyway right now.
- Mute your microphone when you are not speaking so noises are not heard by everyone else
- Resist the urge to multitask—be with us people. Knitting is still allowed though.
- Please share air time and follow the guidelines under “Intentions” on this website.
To enter the Zoom conversation:
- Click on the Zoom link above, and if a password is requested, enter the one given above.
- Once you click the link Zoom should open, and you should be able to see and hear other participants.
- If you can’t hear the host, me, or others, find your settings and make sure you have a working microphone and speaker selected. Also, make sure you have your volume up.
