Melding critical literacy and Christianity: A three-layered response to the murder of George Floyd

Authors

Elena M. Venegas, The University of Texas Rio Grande ValleyFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

Spring 3-25-2021

Abstract

In this critical autoethnography, I share my three-layered response to the murder of George Floyd at the hands of the Minneapolis Police Department in May of 2020. This three-layered response stems from my situated identities (Gee, 1999) as a mother, Christian, and academic. I was not only appalled by the dehumanization of George Floyd by public servants but also by the responses of self-professed Christians to his murder as well as the ensuing Black Lives Matter protests. Such responses, I argue, are rooted in Christian nationalism (Davis & Perry, 2020) and the White supremacy that has long plagued the American church (Douglass, 1845). I recommend the application of critical literacy (Freire, 2000) to Scripture to uncover biblical teachings related to oppression, dehumanization, and social justice. Moreover, I recommend the application of critical literacy within education to enact a praxis—a process of reflection and action—amongst students that seeks to transform society.

Comments

SFA ScholarWorks © 2022

Recommended Citation

Venegas, Elena M. (2021) "Melding Critical Literacy and Christianity: A Three-Layered Response to the Murder of George Floyd," The Journal of Faith, Education, and Community: Vol. 5 : Iss. 1 , Article 6. Available at: https://scholarworks.sfasu.edu/jfec/vol5/iss1/6

Publication Title

The Journal of Faith, Education, and Community