Racial Justice

I am uneasy writing and speaking on the issue of racial justice. White people need to listen and learn from the wisdom and the lived experience of our brothers and sisters of color. However, there are some things that white people need to say to white people.

I have been blessed through reading and social media and relationships to graciously be let behind the curtain from time to time to learn about the experience of being a person of color in this world. I have consistently been encouraged by these friends to use any platform I have to shine a light on systemic racism and white people’s complicity in it. I do it remarkably imperfectly but I want to play my role as a white person to make the world a better place for oppressed and historically marginalized people. My role in this work involves playing my part in changing how systems that I have control of and impacting the hearts and minds primarily of the white people I have influence with.

The writings on this page are my attempt to do that. This page should be a start, but the reader should move quickly to be learning from voices that have been faithfully doing this work much longer, more effectively and at a greater cost than me. If you keep pulling the thread of this resource list this will open up a whole new world of discovery.

What People Are Saying

“Jon has diligently worked to understand his role in the fight for racial justice. He has faithfully listened to, learned from, and been mentored by leaders who have helped him discern how to affectively use his voice and influence to further the kingdom and love neighbor. Jon has successfully integrated racial justice within the spaces God has entrusted him to steward, and has declared it as a matter of Christian discipleship, instead of an optional add on to the Gospel that some believers are called to.

Jon has strategically led in ways that have fostered innovative solutions to systemic challenges that have historically limited the growth and development of leaders of color. His leadership is breeding needed culture change and leading to kingdom expansion.”

-Dominique DuBois Gilliard | Director of Racial Righteousness and Reconciliation for the Love Mercy Do Justice initiative of the Evangelical Covenant Church, Author of Rethinking Incarceration: Advocating for Justice that Restores

“Jon is that rare and admirable example: a white man who is aware of his privilege, relationally connected to peers and mentors of color, and persistently committed to racial justice and equity.”

— David Swanson | Pastor, New Community Covenant Church; CEO, New Community Outreach, Author of Rediscipling the White Church.

“Jon Houghton is a purposeful leader who has built a reputation for starting and sustaining courageous conversations on the topic of Racial Justice. Years of servant leadership have provided opportunities for him to broaden the worldview of those in his network and spheres of influence. Jon is simultaneously a truth teller and bridge builder, taking an active part in pushing for education and restorative social change.”

— Reginald Champagne | Assistant General Counsel Beam Suntory