Organizing for Racial and Economic Justice
Thursday, March 31st, 2022, 6:30-8:00 pm
Online via Zoom
ABOUT
WAHC is pleased to host a two-part discussion series on the historical and contemporary intersections between the labour movement and Christianity featuring Dr. Rob Jones of McMaster University and the Anglican Diocese of Niagara. For the second discussion in this series, Rob will be joined by Rev. Randy Williams, Pastoral Associate at the Anglican Church of the Incarnation in Oakville, Ontario.
Religious faith was a motivating force in the struggles for racial and economic justice in the mid-twentieth century. Pastors drew on their spiritual traditions to articulate a vision of the “beloved community” from the pulpit, in the streets, and on the picket line. Churches were often places where marches, strikes, and other forms of direct action were organized.
Most people are familiar with the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the Baptist pastor and civil rights activist, but there are so many other unsung heroes from this era, whose Christian faith compelled them to organize for racial and economic justice. In Part 2 of the Faith and Solidarity series, we will look at how the Black church in Memphis, Tennessee responded to the Sanitation Workers’ Strike of 1968 and how that strike fits into a long tradition of Black Christians organizing for racial and economic justice.
Attendees are invited to ask questions of Rob and Randy during a 15-minute q & a session to close the discussion.
This event is free to the public will take place online via Zoom. Please click the button below to register for this event.
BIOS
Rob Jones received a PhD in Religious Studies from McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario. He has taught as a sessional instructor at McMaster University and the University of Ottawa, and he has been an active member of CUPE Local 3906, the union representing academic workers at McMaster. He is a deacon in the Anglican Church of Canada, and he is now serving as an assistant minister at Christ’s Church Cathedral in downtown Hamilton.
The Reverend Randy Williams is the Associate at Church of the Incarnation, Oakville, in the Diocese of Niagara. He is a secondary school teacher, and an Information Specialist. Lurking in the background, however, was always a call to clergy ministry. After studying part-time, he graduated from Trinity College, Faculty of Divinity, University of Toronto. Randy has always been a committed advocate for social, economic, and environmental justice. He has served on several academic, church, institutional, and societal committees regarding addressing anti-Black Racism, anti-racism, and overall social injustice. He believes that the church, as followers of Jesus, has an important role to play in matters of social justice for all. He is pleased to be contributing to this dialogue.
