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Dismantling Racism

“What Is?” series (developed by the General Commission on Religion and
Race).
What Is Beloved Community?
Definition:
Philosopher-theologian Josiah Royce first conceived the Beloved Community concept;
later, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr popularized it during the Civil Rights Movement. Dr. King
envisioned that the Beloved Community to be a global movement where the agape love
of God would be the driving force to redemption and reconciliation and a place where all
people can share in the abundance of wealth in the world. In the Beloved Community,
all forms of discrimination, bigotry, and dehumanization are eradicated and countered
by a more inclusive, interdependent existence of people who live in non-violent harmony
with one another.
Example(s) of Beloved Community:
Many organizations embody the principles of Beloved Community and try to live into its
concept and bring about its reality in our world. From interfaith to grassroots
organizations, people work together to counter the oppressive systems that place
groups of people on the margins of our society. Some movements work towards
manifesting a liberating existence where their work centers on the sanctity of life for all
people.
One example is the Baltimore Peace Challenge (formerly, The Baltimore Ceasefire).
The Baltimore Peace Challenge is a movement in Baltimore city that challenges the city
to cease violence and murder specific weekends throughout the year. During these
times, communities and organizations provide events and resources that counter the
city's narrative and reality of violence. They create sacred spaces that honor the lives
lost throughout the city and challenge the community to embrace and live in the real
possibilities of thriving together in peace (https://baltimoreceasefire.com/).
Biblical/Spiritual/Theological Framing or References:
According to Dr. King, the foundation of a beloved community is God's agape love. He
explains that agape is the "overflowing love which is purely spontaneous, unmotivated,
groundless, and creative…It is the love of God operating in the human heart" (A
Testament of Hope: The Essential Writings and Speeches, 19. HarperOne, 1991).
King’s challenge to personify agape love looks like living into Jesus' countercultural
sermon on the plain in Luke 6:20-38, where he directs us to love our enemies, do good,
and show compassion. It is also an invitation to acknowledge the humanity of all people,

including those who would cause harm and perpetuate the oppressive evil forces of
isms that divide us. Not to excuse this behavior or even accept it but to actively work
towards not becoming what we are fighting against.
Reflection Questions:
 What does it look like to be the beloved community and reduce the harm it can
cause to people facing ongoing oppression and marginalization?
 Dr. King was a part of a collective that fought for inclusivity and integration with
non-violent tactics; how have we expanded our understanding of Beloved
Community and the need for racial and ethnic affinity spaces to prevent burnout?
 What does beloved community look like now in the era of our current uprisings
and the Black Lives Matter Movement?
 How do we embody the beloved community and acknowledge the complicit
nature of many of our religious institutions regarding racism, sexism,
homophobia, and ableism?
Additional Resources:
 How Baltimore Called a Ceasefire - TED Talk by Erricak Bridgeford
 My Grandmother’s Hands by Resmaa Menakem
 The Secret to Creating The Beloved Community - TEDxAtlanta Talk by Doug
Shipman
 Beloved Community: Radical Black Feminism as a Framework for the Future -
Article by Malik Thompson