PART 1: Lunch & Learn with Dr. J. Cody Nielsen on the History of Racism through the Lens of American Religion

The first forms of race relations

Christianity didn’t take hold until Constantine made it the official religion of Rome in 313. Prior to this, early Christians often were on the outside of political power structures looking in. Early tensions between Jews, from whom Christianity grew out of, had occurred during the 1st and 2nd centuries C.E., but really took hold with this new marriage of Roman Empire politics and the early Catholic church. From here, Christians began establishing theological rationale for a Christian or not mentality which would fuel the earliest forms of racialization of individuals which we see today.

This session examples the foundational cornerstones of the Christian church’s narratives around who was considered more “righteous” and who needed conversion and assimilation into Christian practices.

Meeting Link: https://zoom.us/j/7114078039

Learn more: https://wmich.edu/walkerinstitute/lnl-nielsen