Law, Christianity, and Racial Justice

On March 29, 2023, the Center for the Study of Law and Religion hosted a small group of lead.ing scholars for “Law, Christianity, and Racial Justice: Shaping the Future.” The symposium roundtable discussion featured an address by Rev. Dr. Bernice King 90L, a response from Dr. Cornel West (joining via Zoom), and a Q&A session from the audience of invited guests.

This symposium project was led by two of the center’s McDonald Distinguished Fellows, Professor Terri Montague (Emory Law, Center for the Study of Law and Religion) and Professor Brandon Paradise (Rutgers Law) and made possible by the generous support of the McDonald Agape Foundation. Montague dedicated the symposium to social and racial change, highlighting the importance of cross-disciplinary studies—the intersections of law, religion, and sociology, among other fields.—.as necessary for social change. The goal of this symposium, in part, was to bring together both Dr. King, Dr. West, the symposium scholars, and guests for a discussion that promotes racial justice and cross-disciplinary collaboration. 

Montague raised several questions regard.ing social change in the twenty-first century, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s methodology, and the King Center’s role in promoting racial justice: What does non-violence look like today? What is the locus of the movement now that coalition-building and community organizing increasingly happens in a more decentralized manner away from religious institutions and the Black church?

Dr. King issued a call to action and emphasized the necessity for broad collaboration, courageous action, and sacrifice when it comes to racial justice. In her work, Dr. King is dedicated to maintaining and continuing her father’s legacy. She is the current CEO of the King Center, which advances social change through advocacy, training, and a renewed emphasis on Martin Luther King Jr.’s nonviolent protest methods.

The King Center provides a platform, training ground, and resources for racial and social change. She underscored her father’s belief in the dignity and worth of every person: “Martin Luther King Jr. taught us to fight injustice, not destroy people, but build a new future. His belief in personhood, community, and a love-centered model went towards the goal of creating an ongoing society of equity and dignity.”

Dr. King emphasized that collective and organized protests would advance racial justice and social change. After the murder of George Floyd, thousands of people offered their voices in protests across the country. However, the movement struggled to maintain the initial momentum, and protests have since been scattered or disorganized. MLK’s own methodology was centered around collective civil disobedience that was planned and coordinated in advance, bringing together culturally diverse people from across the United States.

While Dr. Bernice King sees the beginnings of these kinds of movements in different universities and nonprofit centers, she concluded that we need.—.now more than ever—a collective focus on nonviolent protests that pause the social order and force change. Change, however, is not fast, she reminded the audience. It takes time, sacrifice, and “there is always backlash with progress.”

Despite the possibility of backlash, Dr. King remains hopeful about the future. She finds the new generation “keeps us on edge,” the corporate sphere is enacting positive change “quietly behind doors,” and several educators and university centers like the Center for the Study of Law and Religion are tackling issues of racial justice and promoting social change. She offered a note of hope and inspiration, noting that because our ancestors overcame troubling times and unimaginable hardships, so can we. 

Brandon Paradise welcomed Dr. West with a brief introduction outlining Dr. West’s activities as an activist and philosopher, as well as his work on issues of race, culture, and religion. West has written twenty books, including the seminal texts Race Matters and Democracy Matters and is dedicated to uphold.ing Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy.

“Martin Luther King Jr. taught us to fight injustice, not destroy people, but build a new future. His belief in personhood, community, and a love-centered model went towards the goal of creating an ongoing society of equity and dignity.” —Rev. Dr. Bernice King 90L

West underscored the necessity of invoking MLK’s theology, practice, and spirituality in our daily lives. Describing MLK as a “musician of words,” West praised King’s choice and dedication to being a force for good in the world. MLK was not just a figurehead for social change, but he was a man dedicated to fighting for the respect and dignity of every person. He was committed to social and racial justice but also brought humor, kindness, and the eye of an artist to his work. Above all, West urged the audience to see that an essential part of social and racial justice is the connection between mind and spirit. MLK offers us a visionary example of this connection.

Facilitating a discussion between Dr. King and Dr. West, Paradise queried how MLK’s methodology and corpus can be incorporated into academia. To this, West stated that while there are risks and fears associated with racial justice, those in the academy must immerse themselves in MLK’s teachings. For West, there is a difference between repeating empty dis.course and the kind of teaching that is filled with soul and love. To generate movement and action, one must be courageous and live every.day life with MLK’s teachings in mind.

Like Bernice King, West stressed the importance of collaboration and mass protest. West noted that MLK was a man who exemplified love, and that is at the heart of his teachings and methodology of nonviolence: “Love . . . is an exemplified living. Love is concretely attached to the heart and mind. … Be hope; enact your faith!”

King and West—prioritizing MLK’s ideas of love, respect, and spirituality—discussed Nonviolence 365, which is a model for teaching newer generations about Martin Luther King Jr. and his ideas of love and nonviolence. Through this immersive course, individuals or groups can learn how to incorporate nonviolence into their everyday lives and drive transformation. Along these lines, Dr. West underscored the importance of reading MLK’s works today and adopting his teachings into how we promote change within the academy. 

This event was part of a larger day of programming around the symposium roundtable, which will culminate in essays on the symposium topic, “Law, Christianity, and Racial Justice: Shaping the Future.” Due out next year, the essays will be published in a collaborative symposium project between the Journal of Law and Religion and Political Theology.