Description

In the immediate aftermath of George Floyd’s death a few years ago, the conversation in the Church and America turned swiftly to race.  And as often is the case those national conversations make their way into (and in a few years) out of, our lives.  Today, I’d like to send that email again and you know,  bring it to the top of your inbox.  The discussion about race is an important one - not just for Americans at large, but for Catholics in the US, as well. 

The issue is personal for me. My family, as you know is multi-racial - my youngest son is African American -  and living in the Twin Cities through George Floyd, and the riots that followed - this question of racism and its effects has been top of mind since.  In fact, the overlap of racial justice and poverty has been the context for the works of mercy God has invited my family into since 2020.  

Along the way I started listening to Gloria Purvis’ podcast, who I am excited and honored to interview. Her podcast and writing has been a wonderful education on what it means to be black and Catholic in the US today.  I encourage you to check it out if you haven’t yet. 10/10 recommend!

Gloria Purvis is an author, commentator and the host and executive producer of The Gloria Purvis Podcast.  Through her media presence, she has been a strong Catholic voice for life issues, religious liberty, and racial justice. 

Link to Gloria Purvis’ talk at the National Eucharistic Congress 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWAxXDYNr38

Information about the process of Canonization for the first African American Saint.  There are currently seven, underway.  

https://www.usccb.org/committees/african-american-affairs/road-sainthood-leaders-african-descent

Book: Slavery by Another Name by Douglas Blackmon

https://www.amazon.com/Slavery-Another-Name-Re-Enslavement-Americans/dp/B002D1W8ZY

Watch: Eyes on the Prize (2 Seasons) on Prime. There is a paywall, but the series is available here: 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/amzn1.dv.gti.26619625-5243-4ea9-8b09-850310b93c4d?autoplay=0&ref_=atv_cf_strg_wb

Book: When Affirmative Action was White by Ira Katznelson

https://www.amazon.com/When-Affirmative-Action-White-Twentieth-Century/dp/1324051086?adgrpid=180140477444&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=748008426879&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=776688375324422722&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9019551&hvtargid=dsa-2414841786926&hydadcr=&mcid=&hvocijid=776688375324422722--&hvexpln=67&tag=googhydr-20&hvsb=Politics_d&hvcampaign=dsadesk

Links

For more information about the Better Preach Podcast visit: www.ryanohara.org/betterpreach

Better Preach Podcast is now on YouTube. Here’s a link to the channel.

Check out Ryan’s FREE course on “sharing your faith as a Catholic.”

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