We Need to Talk About Race (YA edition): Racism, the Church and building a brighter future

by Ben Lindsay

Overview

We need to talk about race - in fact, following the murder of George Floyd and the global outcry to follow, it has almost become impossible not to.

But when Ben Lindsay began talking to his nine-year-old son about the content of his book, he paused: what was appropriate to share? What would help and not hinder?

This book is born from that place: a book that will give young adults the tools to better understand themselves, others and how they can understand the Church's past and pave the way towards a better future.

Featuring interviews with young black Christians including Guvna B, Femi and TJ Koleoso and Premier League footballer Eberechi Eze.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780281089437
Publisher:	SPCK (Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge)
Publication date:	07/22/2025
Pages:	160
Product dimensions:	5.08(w) x 7.80(h) x (d)
Age Range:	9 - 14 Years

About the Author

Ben Lindsay is a pastor at Emmanuel Church London. He is passionate about inclusion and wants to see a racially diverse church that better serves and represents the local context. Ben is CEO and founder of Power The Fight, a charity empowering communities to end youth violence. He has a background working in local government and the charity sector.

Table of Contents

Intro: Author's welcome
How to use this book
Understanding race and racism 6
Interview: Isaac Borquaye, better known as Guvna B, is a rapper, author, and broadcaster from East London 12
About you 14
Interview: Rebekah Kiernan Walker is a broadcaster, voice over artist, public speaker and presenter at Tottenham Hotspur Football Club. 16
What's God's view on race and ethnicity? 18
Interview: Emma Borquaye is a public speaker, author, mum of two and founder of a multi-award winning platform that provides resources to support young women navigating faith, identity and purpose. 23
Exploring prejudice and interpersonal racism (Peter and Cornelius) 26
Interview: Femi Koleoso is the drummer and leader of the Mercury award winning British jazz group Ezra Collective. 31
The Church and the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade 34
Interview: Yasmin Elizabeth-Mfon is a British-St Lucian digital content creator and creative consultant from South London. 44
Towards repair 47
Interview: Eberechi Eze is an English professional footballer who plays in the Premier League and the England national team. 52
White Jesus? / Black History is Church History 53
Interview: Siobhan Gnanakulendran is a secondary school maths teacher. 62
Jesus Walks: Social justice and the Church 66
Interview: Will James is a leadership and team coach from Hampshire. 77
Allyship: a call to radical solidarity 80
Interview: Dan Blythe is the Global Youth Director for Alpha, working alongside young people and Youth leaders to inspire, innovate and support the mission of Alpha to reach young people with the gospel around the world. 83
The Art of Protest 85
Interview: Samuel Nwachukwu - who performs under the pseudonym: CalledOut Music is a British music producer, MOBO award winner, singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Hampshire, England 87
What you can do now 89
Glossary of terms
Bibliography/Further reading and resources