Challenging Systemic Inequality

Systemic inequality is not God's will for anyone. If we are serious about praying for God's will to be done on earth as it is in heaven, we must be serious about working against systemic inequality in all of its forms.

I have been teaching, writing and training on inequality for three decades, with two books and 13 published essays on related topics. My sociology doctorate (Boston College, 2002) was later published by Routledge as Queer Inclusion in the United Methodist Church. My most recent book, Cultural Processes of Inequality: A Sociological Perspective (Anthem Press, 2024), offers a new way of thinking about power, privilege, and the subtle ways our assumptions about who does and who does not deserve the benefit of the doubt inform how we allocate resources, provide opportunities, and leave people alone or make their lives harder. (The book covers anti-Black racism, sexism, heterosexism and cis-sexism, but its approach is relevant to all forms of systemic inequality.) My anti-racism workshops, developed for Colorado College faculty and staff, address how racism works, the role of white discomfort in maintaining racist structures, and concrete steps white people can take to work against racism. I currently serve on the Board of the UCC Musicians Association as Director of DEI and Member Education, where I am working to develop new educational opportunities to help church musicians think about inequality as a justice issue.

I would be happy to offer a workshop on understanding and working against inequality for your congregation based on any components from my recent book, my existing antiracism trainings, or any other topic related to systemic inequality in the US (given some time to prepare). I guarantee that attendees will leave the workshop with new resources and concrete steps to take to work against inequality in their individual lives as well as your congregational context.

Interested in learning more about Cultural Processes of Inequality? Click on the following link to the publisher's book page: Cultural Processes of Inequality | Anthem Press.

Previous presentations related to my inequality work include:

  • Power, Privilege, Possibilities: Rethinking Systemic Inequality (May 7, 2025; video available at Power, Privilege, Possibilities: Rethinking Systemic Inequality (talk by Dr. Amanda Udis-Kessler)
  • Cultural Processes of Inequality: A Sociological Perspective (book launch talk, September 10, 2024)
  • Working against Racism: Concrete Steps and Resources (January 24, 2024)
  • Racism and the Benefit of the Doubt: Rethinking Inequality (November 9, 2023)
  • Racism and White Discomfort: The Problem and the Solution (July 12, 2023)
  • Racism, Flourishing, and Suffering: Ethics for White People Working against Racism (March 7, 2022)

Podcasts on which I have been interviewed about Cultural Processes of Inequality include:

“Amanda invites folks to enter into the challenging work of antiracism with creativity, authenticity, wisdom, and love. While her experience and knowledge are abundant, she maintains a posture of openness to effectively attend to the need and experiences of those with whom she is working and to continue on the journey toward racial justice herself.”

— Rev. Jessica Petersen-Mutai, Senior Minister, First United Church (Bloomington, IN)

Testimonials

Praise for Cultural Processes of Inequality: A Sociological Perspective 
(Anthem Press, 2024):
“In a wonderfully accessible, down-to-earth style, Udis-Kessler deftly reveals the everyday cultural processes that produce and reproduce anti-Black racism, sexism, and heterosexism. This important book not only uncovers the multiple ways that our actions and institutions contribute to inequality but also challenges us to envision more equitable choices.”

— Dr. Wayne Brekhus, Professor, Department of Sociology, University of Missouri

“[The book] is a must-read for those who are working to make ours a more just and equitable world. Not only does Udis-Kessler explain how inequality works in clear and everyday language; she also provides us with discussion guides, a how-to manual for reducing inequality, and perhaps most importantly, a message of hope.”

— Dr. C.J. Pascoe, Associate Professor, Department of Sociology, University of Oregon