Building a new common sense about racial justice
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Welcome to the Racial Justice Institute
Christians are called to be one in Christ (Galatians 3:28), not to erase the beautiful differences the Creator bestowed upon humanity, but to utterly destroy the hierarchies and domination that humans attach to those differences.
The Racial Justice Institute develops a variety of learning experiences (pilgrimages, courses,
media, writing, video, etc.) that engage people of faith around issues of identity, history and
justice at the intersection of race as a social issue. By gathering communities to journey together, to learn, RJI creates brave spaces to go deep to understand the roots of racism. RJI also leads groups to historic or contemporary sites, to go deeper into history and the stories of those who were there.
Understanding Racism: A Starting Point Series
6 Ways Churches Can Help Dismantle Systemic Racism
By Andre Henry
(Editor’s Note: Racism is one of the most painful and misunderstood realities shaping both society and the church today. Many Christians want to engage these conversations faithfully but feel uncertain about where to begin, how to think biblically about race and justice, or how the church itself has contributed to racial harm throughout history.
How the Bible Addresses Racial Justice
By Andre Henry
(Editor’s Note: Racism is one of the most painful and misunderstood realities shaping both society and the church today. Many Christians want to engage these conversations faithfully but feel uncertain about where to begin, how to think biblically about race and justice, or how the church itself has contributed to racial harm throughout history.
How the Church Helped Construct Modern Racism
By Andre Henry
(Editor’s Note: Racism is one of the most painful and misunderstood realities shaping both society and the church today. Many Christians want to engage these conversations faithfully but feel uncertain about where to begin, how to think biblically about race and justice, or how the church itself has contributed to racial harm throughout history.
What Is Racism? A Biblical Understanding of Racism
By Andre Henry
(Editor’s Note: Racism is one of the most painful and misunderstood realities shaping both society and the church today. Many Christians want to engage these conversations faithfully but feel uncertain about where to begin, how to think biblically about race and justice, or how the church itself has contributed to racial harm throughout history.
Other Featured Racial Justice Articles
Don’t Call Yourself My Ally
By Alicia Crosby
“…we’re on the same side. I’m your ally.” I’ve heard a version of this sentiment too many times to count over the years, and after taking a deep breath and stifling the urge to roll my eyes, my response is always the same: You cannot name yourself as an ally; that title is bestowed upon you. It should not be assumed.
Becoming Reparative Communities
By Terence Lester, PhD
(Editor’s note: This is the final piece of our 4-part series on economic injustice. You can find Part 1 here, Part 2 here, and Part 3 here. In this final piece, Dr.
Fighting the U.S. Caste Culture
An interview with Michelle Alexander
Denouncing our present system as “a caste-like system that locks millions of Americans into permanent second-class status,” Alexander marshals both hard data and human stories to advocate for laws that would reverse our country’s escalating prison population.
A Christian Theology of Protest: Bearing Faithful Witness in a Time of Unrest
By David Swanson
(Editor’s Note: January 21, 2026 | This essay was written prior to the most recent events unfolding in Minneapolis and other cities and is not intended as commentary on any single protest, incident, or tactic.
Racial Justice Institute Team
Micky ScottBey Jones
Racial Justice Fellow
