Been in the Struggle
Connecting Spiritual Formation and Dismantling Racism
Facilitated by: Regina Shands Stoltzfus and Tobin Miller Shearer
As part of our continuing and vital efforts in becoming an antiracist organization, One Spirit sponsored a free workshop exclusively for students and graduates of One Spirit’s programs.
This event took place in September 2023 and is now available by recording only.
The work of dismantling racism doesn't happen overnight.
Been in the Struggle nurtures, challenges, and fosters the work and witness of dismantling racism for the long haul. Filled with wisdom and insight from nearly three decades of partnering across racial lines in this work, authors Regina Shands Stoltzfus and Tobin Miller Shearer offer a powerful mix of practical direction and poignant reflection to empower and sustain those working to dismantle racism, regardless of their stage on the journey.
Stoltzfus and Shearer draw on the power and promise of interracial relationships to offer a vision for an anti-racist spirituality. Together this Black woman and White man address the spirituality of conflict and crisis, embracing Blackness amid an anti-Black culture, and the importance of spiritual disciplines in the work of antiracism. Whether working to dismantle racism in our own lives or inside institutions, their words on transformation, historical trauma, spiritual formation, and the importance of authentic, restorative celebration will inspire and sustain us for the road ahead.
Dr. Regina Shands Stoltzfus
Regina Shands Stoltzfus was born in Cleveland, Ohio, and lived there the first half of her life. She currently lives in Goshen, Indiana, and teaches at Goshen College in the religion, justice and society department. Regina is co-founder of the Roots of Justice Anti-Oppression program (formerly Damascus Road Anti-Racism Program) and has worked widely in peace education. She holds a master of arts degree in biblical studies from Ashland Theological Seminary and a PhD in theology and ethics from Chicago Theological Seminary. She is the author of two previous books and her many articles have appeared in publications such as Sojourners and The Mennonite. She has also written for the Anabaptist Historians blog. Tobin Miller Shearer is co-founder with Regina Shands Stoltzfus of the Damascus Road anti-racism process (now Roots of Justice) and an award-winning professor of history and African American studies at the University of Montana. He is the author of five books and more than one hundred articles. His work has appeared in publications such as The Chicago Tribune, Conspire, The Mennonite, and Anabaptist Historians. He blogs at Truth and Grace. Shearer is also the co-founder with Cheryl Miller Shearer of the anti-racism training and consulting nonprofit, Widerstand Consulting (www.widerstandconsulting.org).
Tobin Miller Shearer
An award-winning teacher, widely published scholar, and skilled anti-racism trainer, Dr. Shearer is noted for the enthusiasm, depth of experience, and passion for the work of dismantling racism that he brings to all his training resources. He offers his clients deep knowledge, a sense of humor, and a commitment to excellence. Along with Regina Shands Stoltzfus, he is the co-founder of the Damascus Road anti-racism process.