UniteBoston

Nurturing Relational Connections Across Boston's Christian Community

Racial Justice Wall

Photo credit: Shirin Kazimov

We recognize that it will take all of us to bring systemic change to Boston, and every person’s voice matters. In June 2020, we launched a campaign encouraging Christians throughout the city to describe the describe their hopes and prayers for the city towards racial justice based on their personal experience, and tag it on social media using #BostonPray.

We are grieved by the fact that Boston continues to be known as an unwelcoming city to people of color, and has a history of systematic racial oppression and injustice. As Christians, we know that this is not God’s dream for our city. We recognize that loving our neighbors means that we stand beside those who are marginalized and oppressed and work for a better world that honors the inherent image of God.

–What is your prayer for racial justice in Boston?

–What change would you want to see in Boston towards racial justice?

Below is our compilation of visual images and words for the Racial Justice Wall that we compiled through various social media outlets. At the bottom, you’ll find a board where anyone who wishes can post anonymously as well.

If you’d like to add your photo or post to this wall, email Kelly, kelly@uniteboston.com

Racial Justice Wall

  • Photo Credit: Elijah Mickelson
  • Photo Credit: Daniel Ebersole
  • Photo Credit: Elijah Mickelson
“This afternoon, I sat my girls down and talked to them about George Floyd’s death (in an age appropriate way for preschoolers). For the first time, we talked about how Black people are sometimes treated unfairly just because of the color of their skin. We read the book “Something’s Happened in Our Town: A Child’s Book About Racial Injustice.” We made signs about “Black Lives Matter”, “Made in God’s Image”, and “I matter”. This evening, we joined a peaceful march in Boston. We prayed and marched for change.”
– Stephen and Rebekah Nyakairu, Grace Chapel Watertown
“Today some members of our church joined hundreds of others at the Boston Common to peacefully protest racial injustice, worship, pray, and learn from other ministers on how to pursue justice and take action in Jesus’ name. We understand and realize that as a church we still have much to learn about the history and the current state of racial injustice in our country. But we are committed to humbly learn from God’s Word and from others, and committed to boldly act out of our understanding of God’s peace and justice.”
– Cstoneboston
“Our son is 11 today. He spent his day joining a large prayer gathering with his dad for racial reconciliation #bostonpray and getting to meet Benjamin Watson of the Patriots.”
– Dano Jukanovich
“Declaring Gods Shalom over the city of Boston. Pray for the peace and the prosperity of the city in which I have sent you. For its welfare will determine your welfare. We want to see every part of Boston flourish in Jesus name and we won’t stop until all of our black and brown brothers and sisters are living the abundant life in Jesus name!”
– Pastor Joseph
“I married a God dreamer with great passion and vision for Black and Brown people to experience TRUE freedom. I spent my entire childhood and most of my life dreaming. Now it is time to give ourselves permission to allow our dreams to manifest as real life for us, to move forward with our visions to create a new reality for our people-but we must step out in faith.
We believe our Black and Brown children and grandchildren deserve to be protected, to be constantly centered, cherished, loved and reminded that they matter to the point that they have no other choice but to step into their fullness and into the collective light that will hold them. We are responsible for every single child in our community. We are the parents, caregivers, protectors, and stewards of every single child regardless of if we gave birth to them or not.
These are our children, our people, our community. We believe in the power of healing, transformation and reconciliation that happens when we break the grip of white supremacy and paternalism and when we support communities of color in creating spaces for their people to thrive.
We have a vision of a land, a space that is made to center around the healing, wisdom, and transformation of our people together. Where hearts are mended, true forgiveness and repentance take place and unity restores our division. Unity replaces a broken system. Only Jesus can do that with a willing open heart. We have a vision of a place where POC and their children have embodied experiences of being part of something that heals and protects. We mourn with those who mourn and we continue to pray for the wisdom to hope!”
-Karen Fahey Brown
“This beautiful piece of artwork was going to be thrown away in DC at a protest but instead this lovely young lady spoke up and said she wanted it. So here we stand! Declaring Breonna’s name in Boston. And No justice. No peace. Lord help us to to declare the names of each person because they matter! Let this generation continue to rise up with courageous voices to say that has value! Sad we cannot give credit to the amazing artist who drew this but this art was here in BOSTON with us!”
-Karen Fahey Brown
“I joined #bostonpray yesterday in The Boston Common to stand in solidarity with and actively show support for the human rights of Black people everywhere.
The past couple of weeks have been filled for me with an overwhelming influx of information, a scattered mind, a heart full of sorrow, and intense feelings of anger and helplessness. But as I’ve been working to cope with and integrate all of these emotions, many questions have surfaced that I must answer… . .
Until I began graduate school about a year ago, I was relatively unconscious of how deeply ingrained racism is in American culture and society – how did it take me this long to see and understand? Am I unknowingly contributing to systems of inequality? And how? Where are places in my daily life that I can make changes that promote racial equality? Am I willing to see the reality of Black people’s pain, and let go of my idealized version of society that I prefer, and that serves me? Does defensiveness come from love or fear? How do I channel my anger over injustice into helpful words and action? What ARE helpful words and action? Will I ever be able to do enough? What is my role in all of this, given that I am a white woman specifically? Will I be brave enough to stand up for racial justice, even if it costs me something or someone? Where is the line between opinions, and opinions that cause harm to others? Where do I want to be more involved in this cause? How do I enjoy the privileges I have as a white woman when so many do not have these privileges because of their skin color? How is it that our society can be so good to some and so cruel to others? Why do people hold on so tightly to things that harm others? How can I have more compassion for these individuals? How can I be of service to others and still care for myself?. .
My eyes are open. My mind is full. My heart is heavy. My life cannot matter until Black Lives do.
-Thebalanceworkshop
Photo of a hand made sign from Melinda Watson Priest on Facebook.
Click Here to Return to the Racial Justice Main Page
Click Here to View the Racial Justice Community Board


Give to Further Christian Unity

DONATE!