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“Those who erroneously believe that the BLM movement and Church teachings are in conflict need not look any further than the pages of this book to see the myriad ways the two intersect. In fact, by embracing the values of BLM, Catholicism can begin to embody the values it preaches but often fails to practice.”—From the Foreword
Birth of a Movement presents a radical call to dignity and equality for all people. It examines the founders of the Black Lives Matter movement, the church’s involvement with slavery, including the decision by Georgetown University to make amends for its past actions, and the Catholic Church’s response to the recent deaths of Trayvon Martin, George Floyd, and Breonna Taylor.
In relating the story of the Black Lives Matter movement through a Christian lens, readers—Catholic and others—will gain insights and a deeper understanding of the movement and why it can help the church, and the country, move closer to racial equality.
Remarking on the similarities between the focus of Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’ and the BLM’s mission, Segura’s personal and particular call is especially for young Catholic activists, but also more seasoned ones, to become educated, energized, and ready to demand a better Church.–Kim R. Harris is assistant professor of African American thought and practice in the Theological Studies Department at Loyola Marymount University.
Olga M. Segura is a Black immigrant who arrived from the Dominican Republic in the early 1990s. A graduate of Fordham University she is currently a freelance writer and opinion editor at the National Catholic Reporter. Previously she was an associate editor at America Media, where she wrote articles on race and culture. Her writing has appeared in The Guardian, Sojourners, ZORA, The Revealer, Shondaland, Latino Rebels, and Refinery29.
