What Does “Decentering Whiteness Mean”?

Decentering Whiteness is the intentional effort to shift the focus, power, and privilege away from White-centered narratives, practices, and structures that have long dominated institutions, including the church. It involves elevating and prioritizing the voices, experiences, and leadership of people from historically marginalized and underrepresented communities.

Why is This Work Vital for the Church?

We are discussing this now because the church has an opportunity—and a responsibility—to reflect God's inclusive love by dismantling systems of exclusion and embracing equity and justice. This work is critical in fostering a faith community that truly welcomes and uplifts all of God’s children, ensuring that everyone has a place at the table.

Doing the work of decentering Whiteness in the church is vital because the church is called to embody the radical inclusivity and justice of God’s love. As followers of Christ, we are tasked with creating a community where all people are valued equally, reflecting the kingdom of God on Earth. Historically, churches have often upheld and perpetuated systems of racial inequity and exclusion, sometimes even unknowingly. By actively addressing and dismantling these systems, we align ourselves with the biblical call to justice, compassion, and love for all our neighbors.

Moreover, the church has a unique role as a moral and spiritual leader in society. By modeling what equity, inclusion, and diversity look like, we can inspire and influence broader societal change. This work is also about healing—acknowledging past harms, seeking reconciliation, and fostering a spiritual environment where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued. When the church actively engages in decentering Whiteness, it moves closer to being a true reflection of God’s vision for humanity: a diverse, unified body where every member belongs and thrives.

Racial Justice vs. Decentering Whiteness

Many people are curious to know the difference between the Racial Justice movement and the Decentering Whiteness movement. Here is a short explanation.

• Racial justice focuses on addressing systemic racism and achieving equity by eliminating discrimination, repairing historical harm, and ensuring fair opportunities for marginalized racial groups. This work often involves advocating for policies, reforming inequitable systems, and amplifying the lived experiences of people of color. Examples include movements like Black Lives Matter, pushing for equitable access to resources, and implementing anti-racism education. The goal of racial justice is to dismantle structural inequalities and promote representation and inclusion across all sectors of society.

• Decentering whiteness, on the other hand, seeks to challenge the cultural dominance of white norms, values, and perspectives that pervade societal institutions. It involves recognizing and dismantling whiteness as the implicit standard, creating space for diverse voices, and fostering cultural humility. This process includes revising educational curriculums, rethinking organizational practices, and amplifying non-white narratives in media and theology.

While racial justice addresses systemic inequities broadly, decentering whiteness focuses on transforming cultural and institutional frameworks to ensure true equity and inclusion. Together, these approaches work hand-in-hand to create a more just and equitable society.

What’s the Problem? What Centering Whiteness Looks Like

Here are examples of how we center whiteness in everyday church settings:

• Tokenism Instead of Inclusion: Inviting a person of color to preach or lead only on special occasions like Black History Month or cultural heritage celebrations, without integrating their voices and perspectives into the regular life of the church.

• Ignoring Racial Justice in Theology and Worship: Focusing exclusively on Eurocentric hymns, art, and theological perspectives while neglecting the contributions of theologians, musicians, and artists from diverse cultural backgrounds.

• Perpetuating Leadership Homogeneity: Maintaining predominantly White leadership without examining and addressing the barriers that prevent people of color from accessing leadership roles in the church.

• Avoiding Conversations About Race: Avoiding or dismissing discussions about race, equity, and justice because they are seen as "political" or "divisive," thereby silencing the lived experiences of marginalized communities.

• Centering White Comfort Over Justice: Prioritizing the comfort of White members over the needs for justice and reconciliation, such as downplaying the urgency of anti-racism work to avoid discomfort or conflict.

• Using a "Colorblind" Approach: Claiming "We don’t see color" as a way to avoid engaging with the realities of systemic racism and the unique challenges faced by people of color in the church and society.

• Cultural Appropriation in Worship: Incorporating elements of non-White cultures (e.g., African drums, Native American prayers, or Latin American liturgical styles) without understanding their significance or forming genuine relationships with the communities from which they originate.

• Failing to Acknowledge or Address Historical Harms: Ignoring or minimizing the church's history of complicity in racial injustices, such as its role in colonialism, slavery, segregation, or exclusionary practices.

• Unequal Allocation of Resources: Providing more funding, support, and visibility to predominantly White ministries while neglecting ministries serving communities of color.

• Resisting Structural Change: Keeping policies, practices, or traditions in place that inherently favor White cultural norms, such as meeting styles, dress codes, or modes of communication, without considering their impact on inclusivity.

By identifying and addressing these patterns, churches can take intentional steps toward decentering Whiteness and creating truly inclusive and equitable faith communities.