The recent passing of Queen Elizabeth after a reign of 70 years has led to much reflection on her strong Christian faith. MJR felt it appropriate to quote something she said about race and discrimination in her 2004 Christmas message –  at a time, then as now, of anxiety about migration. Based on the New Testament story of the good Samaritan, she said: “Everyone is our neighbour, no matter what race, creed or colour. The need to look after a fellow human being is far more important than any cultural or religious differences.

“There is certainly much more to be done and many challenges to be overcome. Discrimination still exists. Some people feel that their own beliefs are being threatened. Some are unhappy about unfamiliar cultures. They all need to be reassured that there is so much to be gained by reaching out to others; that diversity is indeed a strength and not a threat.”

Rev Guy Hewitt will take up this post in November and lead the Church’s Racial Justice Unit. It follows a recommendation from the unit in its April 2021 report 'From Lament to Action'. The announcement follows the resignation of the Archbishops' Adviser for Minority Ethnic Anglican Concerns, Dr Sanjee Perera who hinted a potential tension over her role's continued place alongside the Archbishops' Racial Justice Commission.

Ordained in 2005 Rev Hewitt has a background in social policy and development, working internationally on issues of marginalisation, economic enfranchisement, racial justice, youth empowerment, and gender equality. He is a staunch critic of the UK government over its handling of the Windrush scandal, saying in 2018: “The UK is still not at ease with race. Colonial history is still not taught here. The modern global Britain, with a multicultural society, is still an aspiration rather than a reality.”

Chair of MJR Rev Alton Bell commented: "Although MJR welcomes the appointment of the CofE's first racial justice director, we hope this is not just another PR exercise analogous to the shuffling of the deckchairs on the Titanic. We want to see concrete evidence of change. We want the CofE to take the lead in reparatory justice practices, such as: changing the way slavery is taught in schools, advocating for a national memorial to those who were enslaved, and returning stolen artifacts. We wholeheartedly welcome the new racial justice director if this new position is a catalyst for systemic change".

​Read more here.

This article by Nadine White, race correspondent for The Independent is headlined: 'The Commonwealth Games are rooted in slavery – let’s consign the event to history'. Despite being a fan of sport, White says this particular event "sticks in my throat because the Commonwealth, as an institution, is rooted in chattel slavery and the brutalisation of African people."

She continues: "After the abolition of slavery in 1833, financially prosperous Britain skipped off into the sunset without investing in the economies of its former sources of slaves in any meaningful way – and those left behind in the former colonies have grappled with poverty and destitution ever since. Britain paid nothing to the freed slaves in an attempt to redress the injustices they suffered."

Most of the 56 member states of the Commonwealth are former British colonies. But "the wealth is not common. ... The Commonwealth purports to be about 'promoting justice and human rights', yet reparatory justice for chattel slavery, a heinous crime perpetrated against African people by colonialists, has not been paid." The Commonwealth Games should be: "scrapped and replaced with a sporting event that isn’t bonded by racial trauma against a backdrop of Eurocentric denialism".

Read the full article here.

MJR were invited to screen our documentary ‘After the Flood: the church, slavery and reconciliation' at the Lambeth Conference, the once every 10 years gathering of the leadership of the Worldwide Anglican Communion. The screening took place on Friday evening in a cinema that was part of the conference venue. About 45 attended, including Bishops from Sri Lanka, South Africa and other countries. A lively discussion followed led by MJR Chair Rev Alton Bell and trustee Paul Keeble, at which the film's impact and potential as a resource was noted. The challenge, as always, is, having seen 'After the Flood', and gained new knowledge – what, practically, will we do with it?

Find our more about screening 'After the Flood' where you are. Buy or rent 'After the Flood'.

MJR documentary ‘After the Flood: the church, slavery and reconciliation' has been reviewed by Churches Together in England (CTE). "For reconciliation to take place there is much work to do to correct the societal disadvantages of black Britons. The film calls upon the churches to recognise their legacy, acknowledge wrongdoing and make reparations." Read the full review here.

MJR is pleased to announce the official release of the documentary ‘After the Flood: the church, slavery and reconciliation'. The 67 minute film is now available as a download for purchase or rental.

​Click here for your copy.

"This is so good and a must-see for anyone who is interested in addressing racial inequality and injustice in the church." Twitter comment.

The Bristol screening of After The Flood on July 22nd took place in John Wesley's New Room – the world's first Methodist Church. A most appropriate location given Wesley's strong stance against slavery. 92 people attended an enjoyable and stimulating evening enhanced with a generous supply of tasty Caribbean food and drinks. Special thanks to our organiser and host, Carmen Carrol of Keyboard Trust Ministry who worked very hard preparing for this special evening.

On the Q&A panel, MJR was represented by Professor Dr. Robert Beckford and our Chair Revd. Alton Bell. It also included a strong contingent from the Church of England with the Dean of Bristol Cathedral Canon Dr. Mandy Ford, Revd. Dr. Catherine Okoronkwo who is the Advisor on Racial Justice to the Bishop of Bristol (the Rt. Revd Vivienne Faull), Rev Mary Hotchkiss Curate in the Bristol Diocese and Revd. Chris Dobson who is the Ecumenical Advisor and Partnership Officer to the Diocese of Bristol.
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A lively Q&A session followed the film with chair Alton Bell deftly handling questions covering a wide range of topics from the cost of reparations, the need to take action now and what happens next. Comments included:

• "Highly recommended to my Bristol church family, will be uncomfortable but important viewing." Rev Philip Nott.
• "A most stimulating and worthwhile film, very good." Pastor Eric Aidoo Chair CTE Bristol.
• "We have learnt from the recent past and we are listening." Canon Dr. Mandy Ford.
  
• "Thank you for a challenging film and discussion last night" Twitter.  

The evening concluded with a vote of thanks by MJR Trustee Keith Cottrell who observed that this film is sowing seeds for change across our country.

"If you’re really serious about this anti-racism journey, this is a movie you HAVE to watch.”

Here is a video review of 'After the Flood' from Rebbecca Hemmings, one of the audience at last Friday's screening in Birmingham.

"With an insatiable appetite to learn more about this beast named 'racism', Friday, I saw the documentary 'After the Flood, The Church, Slavery and Reconciliation' by Robert Beckford PhD and The Ministry for Justice and Reconciliation. If you want to catapult forward on your antiracism journey, you NEED to SEE THIS, regardless of your religious beliefs, or if you have any. I was struck by how the challenges of creating an equitable society are similar to many organisations. There seems to be a willingness to acknowledge harm done, but the sticking points are in changing the power structures and taking significant action. This video shares a modicum of my experience and thoughts. Though I am still very much processing the wealth of information shared. 
Thank you Dr Beckford, MJR and all involved for such an eye-opening telling of our story".

Nearly 90 people gathered at Methodist Central Hall last night for the 'Northern Premiere' of the MJR documentary, 'After the Flood: the church, slavery and reconciliation' (it would have been more but for an unfortunately timed local Covid burst). The film was positively received and the ensuing question and answer session with what was an amazing panel was wide-ranging, honest and challenging: of course, begging the question, what next? One answer on social media was: "Every church in Manchester should facilitate a viewing of this film and the ensuing conversations." How? The lack of local church leaders present was noticeable . We need more church members, as well as senior leaders such as those on the panel to advocate for bringing this issue to the local churches, where the real individual pain of racial injustice is.

Other feedback on social media and directly to MJR so far has included:

• Great event - informative, horrifying, provoking and Robert, typically (and brilliantly) forthright and challenging: ‘Where’s the cheque?!’
• I learnt a lot - many things I didn’t know.
• It was a good event, saddened and surprised at how few church leaders attended.
• Exceptionally good. Powerful, well-crafted, stunning sound track. Heartrending.
• A massive relief to my brain and soul to hear racial justice, reparations and slavery framed in religious and theological language.

The Q&A Panel: Rev Ian Rutherford (also our host), Ven Karen Lund, Beatrice Smith, Rev Mike Royal, Prof Robert Beckford, Rt Rev David Walker, Rev Alton Bell (chair).

Big thanks to the panel, our hosts at Methodist Central Hall and the workers behind the scenes.

Next screening is Birmingham on Friday. For more screenings go here. Like to have this film where you are? Email us.

MJR trustees Beatrice Smith and Paul Keeble were interviewed by Asthma Younus on BBC Radio Manchester on Sunday morning about the forthcoming screening of ‘After the Flood: the church, slavery and reconciliation' in the city. If you'd like to listen, the programme is available online here for 28 days – the interview begins at about 3 hours 26 minutes.