Mystic Activism: Spiritual Practices for Racial Justice

What if our understanding of God, our prayer life, our character, and our sense of mission were interwoven with a commitment to fight and eradicate racism in our nation and world? How can we equip ourselves spiritually for the battle to create a society that truly lives up to its commitment to "liberty and justice for all"? How can our churches and other spiritually oriented gatherings shape us into communities and individuals who boldly proclaim and work for a world where white supremacy no longer haunts the land? Drick Boyd describes the many ways racism impacts people in US society--physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Drawing on the writings of scholars like Howard Thurman, James Cone, Barbara Holmes, and Rufus Jones, he then considers practical ways that classic spiritual practices such as prayer, contemplation, Bible reading, and worship can be adapted to guide and empower one to work for racial justice.

Drick Boyd is Professor Emeritus in Urban Studies at Eastern University. He is the author of White Allies in the Struggle for Racial Justice (2015) and Disrupting Whiteness: Talking to White People About Racism (2021).