Submitted by Administrator on Fri, 19/06/2020 - 13:41
The Faculty of Divinity challenges itself – both staff and students – to think more deeply about race and to learn from those who have been marginalized.
As a faculty we were horrified by the brutal killing of George Floyd, which was just one of many in a long history of racism.
If religions have been used to offer hope and liberation, they have also been used to perpetuate racial injustice. We stand in solidarity with our BAME students and with our BAME colleagues to affirm unequivocally that Black Lives Matter, in the USA, the UK and internationally. We also agree with the Vice-Chancellor that it is time to say ‘Enough. This must change and we are committed to being part of that change.’
At the heart of theological learning is the task of listening and seeking to understand others. To that end we learn ancient languages, read complex texts and listen to others with different experiences.
As this year’s examinations come to an end, we have put together a bibliography on race, theology and religion that can guide some of our summer vacation reading. Members of the Faculty are also planning to organise a reading group for the coming academic year that will critically engage issues surrounding race, theology and religion. It will draw upon the reading list, and will be a group to which undergraduates would be especially welcome.
We are challenging ourselves – both staff and students – to think more deeply about race and to learn from those who have been marginalized.