Sheila M. Beckford - Anti-Racism 4REALS: Real Talk with Real Strategies in Real Time for Real Change

Advanced Praise For ANTI-RACISM 4REALS

Anti-Racism 4REALS is an indispensable resource for equipping all who are serious about the work of dismantling racism. It provides a disciplined approach to generating meaningful engagement that will lead to transformative action. Rev. Beckford and Rev. Ledder bring a unique combination of skills and experience to this project. Readers of this excellent book will benefit immensely from their journey. Rev. Dr. Richard Hayes, Pastor, Metropolitan Community United Methodist Church

Revs. Beckford and Ledder move the needle and raise the bar for those committed to the urgent work of anti-racism. In this candid, provocative, incisive book, we are pushed and prodded to transcend talk, neutrality, political correctness, and our need for more information about racism; we are challenged to take up specific, real-time strategies that interrupt and dismantle racism, hold space for honest truth-telling, and lead to real action and real change. Anti-Racism 4Reals offers a practical blueprint for the future of anti-racism work. Mark Feldmeir, pastor and author of A House Divided

We dont need more talk about race: we need real talk about race. Sheila M. Beckford and E. Michelle Ledder have created a highly accessible resource to help you and your community move beyond polite words to real talk that makes a real difference. In this critical time of real danger and real opportunity, we need to get real. Brian D. McLaren, author of Faith After Doubt

Anti-Racism 4REALS is an intense yet insightful read! Discovering how certain words and actions can unknowingly perpetrate racism and making a conscious decision to change them are essential components to building an anti-racist culture. This book helps you learn how to take the big and small steps needed to do this important work. Leah Gunning Francis, author of Ferguson and Faith: Sparking Leadership and Awakening Community

The authors of this book offer thought provoking ideas and commentary on the importance of race, diversity, and inclusion. In the 21st century, it is absolutely imperative and mission critical that we work to achieve equity, while engaging in bold, daring, courageous, and honest conversations regarding the issue of race and its debilitating impact on the promotion of human flourishing. Further, this book helps us to see that it takes diversity of all dimensions to create a truly global, transformational, and equitable society. The authors do an incredibly amazing job unpacking complicated concepts and teasing out the nuancesso that readers are provided with the tools they need to be effective agents of change in progressively addressing and dismantling the system of white domination and superiority in all spheres of the human endeavor. Rev. Dr. Herron Keyon Gaston, author of The Darkest Night: An Incarceration Memoir, from Jail to Yale

Copyright 2021 by Sheila M. Beckford & E. Michelle Ledder

All rights reserved. For permission to reuse content, please contact Copyright Clearance Center, 222 Rosewood Drive, Danvers, MA 01923, (978) 750-8400, www.copyright.com .

Cover art and design: 99 Designs

Interior design: Overcup

ChalicePress.com

PRINT: 9780827201026

EPUB: 9780827201033

EPDF: 9780827201040

Contents

Acknowledgements

We, the Reverends Sheila M. Beckford and E. Michelle Ledder, were called and destined to do this anti-racist anti-racism work together. We spoke about creating this book in August of 2019 and were granted a contract with Chalice Press in November 2020.

We, 4REALS, would like to acknowledge those who were instrumental in bringing this valuable work to life. The formal and informal legal, publishing, accounting, and editorial support we have received throughout this project has helped us in numerous ways to realize our dream to become published authors. We are grateful.

Sheila M. Beckford

I would like to thank my ancestors who nurtured this passion for justice within me.

My mother, the Diva, Greta C. Beckford , taught me to be a person who lives in my truth and not up to others expectations of me. You taught me that community is essential to ensuring justice and freedom reign. Your spirit lives within me. Thank you, Mami!

The Reverend Dr. Vincent Harding , one of my spiritual Fathers, helped me to better understand and offered me an insightful perspective into the work of the Civil Rights Movement. Your patience and corrective measures were filled with the love of a father and a friend.

I will forever love you both and hope to make you proud. Rest in Power!

To my Sankofa Sistahs , I am blessed because of your gifts of love and justice. We will continue to live into our purpose as we educate and agitate an injustice systems conscience.

To Tiffany French Goffe and Reverend Marcia White-Smith , thanks for recognizing my potential as an author.

To my spiritual parents Rev. Pauline Wardell-Sankoh and the Reverend Dr. William G. Smartt , you nurtured me and loved me back to health.

To Yvette Zeno , who cares for me, supports me, and encourages me when I need it most, thank you!

To Rev. Dorlimar Lebron Malave , my right hand, thanks for all the times you sacrificed your schedule to care for Zai.

To the Hayes family , the Reverend Dr. Richard, Mrs. Bridget , and Issa : Thank you for instituting the family game nights that allowed Zai and me to woosah, and for the indescribable bond forged in life-giving laughter, competitiveness, and smack-talking.

To my family the McField, Ebanks, and Beckford clan thank you to those who are always proud of me and celebrate all of my accomplishments. To my nephew, Karl , who holds me down, checks on me regularly, challenges me, corrects me in love, and responded to my news of writing this book with, thats dope! you are the real MVP!

To my eldest Cheyenne , you are my biggest cheerleader!

And to my daughter Zai , who gave up some movie nights and became my meeting reminder so I could complete this project. You are my world!

E. Michelle Ledder

I would like to deeply thank all the historic and contemporary Church Mothers and Grandmothers who never knew me personally but prayed for all of those who dont know Jesus. This was me, until my midtwenties. Your prayers brought this now-ordained person from the muck and mire so that God could start me on my way. I am forever gratefulbecause you didnt have to do it, but you did.

To the innumerable Black people and others who have been direct targets of racism , who have shared their lives and experiences with me, in front of me, and in public spaces. I hold these testimonies as sacred and in both my minds eye and soul as I write and do this work. All of what I know about anti-racism has come explicitly or implicitly from BIPAL people. I am indebted beyond measure and pray what I do and say is honorable in your sight.

To the Reverend Dr. Eric Severson , thank you for not trying to make me into a mini-you but rather honoring the skills and wisdom God gave me so I could live into my own academic prowess and vocational authenticity. Thank you for showing me what it looks like when a white person does anti-racism work honorably. It was then I first recognized my lifes work.

To the Reverend Dr. Teresa Fry Brown , words could never be enough to express my gratitude to you and for you. Thank you for teaching me preaching lessons, teaching lessons, AME lessons, and life lessons. Thank you for always knowing the exact perfect timing for when to push the tissue box over and when to push me beyond my limiting thoughts. Thank you for modeling what it looks like to stare evil and sin right in the face, turn them to dust, and retain ALL your dignity. I pray my work honors you and provides a legacy of which you are proud.