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Resolutions

To Action
LCWR Global Concerns Committee

Volume 15, Number 1 January 2006

Racism
by Barbara A. Moore, CSJ
Assisted by Catherine Marie Kreta, CSJ; Diana Oleskevich, CSJA; and Diane Zigo, CSJ
Racism is not merely one sin among many, it is a radical evil that divides the human family and denies the
creation of a redeemed world. To struggle against it demands an equally radical transformation,
in our own minds and hearts as well as in the structure of society.
-- Brothers and Sisters to Us: US Bishops Pastoral Letter on Racism in our Day
(Washington D.C.; United States Catholic Conference, 1979)
opened with Katrina and its after- only to the undocumented but also
EXPERIENCE math. Incidents were reported in the to legal immigrants.

R
media.
acism is systemic and per- Almost all the desperate-looking There has been progress in addressing
meates virtually every US victims on the television news were racism in the Catholic church and in
institution judicial, politi- African-American. society. However, there has been little
cal, social, medical/healthcare, educa- Some felt using the term refu- progress towards achieving increas-
tion, labor, small and large businesses, gees for those seeking refuge from ing the number of people of color in
the professions, sports teams, the arts, the hurricane was racist. administrative, professional and sup-
and the church. Reection on racism Picture captions described African port positions of the diocesan level and
indicates a mixed message of progres- Americans as looting and whites nationally. (The Catholic Peace Voice, 1-
sion and regression over the years. as nding goods.
Following are a few recent excerpts (continued on page 2)
Wade Henderson, a panelist on
from events and articles which dem- a TV program led by Gwen Ill, Resolutions to Action is an occasional pulbica-
onstrate the pervasiveness of racism: stated, I think the legacy of ra- tion of the Global Concerns Committee of the
Two public-policy groups cial discrimination in this country Leadership Conference of Women Religious
have charged that racism is the helped to produce the population of (LCWR). Members of the committee are:
primary cause of racial dispari- Gilmary Bauer, RSM; Carol Descoteaux, CSC;
people who were left behindYou Julie Driscoll, SCN; Walter Maher, CCVI;
ties in healthcare, not biology or cant have a situation with historic Andrea Nenzel, CSJP; Joy Peterson, PBVM;
socioeconomic status. (Modern discrimination on the basis of hous- and Marie Lucey, OSF, staff. Please address
Healthcare, 8/25/05) ing, education and employment and correspondence to:
Prison rates and administration not have a legacy which is present in LCWR
of the death penalty reect a dis- New Orleans. 8808 Cameron Street
proportionate number of people Silver Spring, MD 20910
Increasing signs of hostility toward 301-588-4955
of color. immigrants are reected in laws that fax: 301-587-4575
Americas racial rift was re- limit or deny access to benets not mlucey@lcwr.org
www.lcwr.org
(continued from page 1) training in seeing herself as an oppres- ties among peoples arouse tensions and
sor and advantaged person. Any work conicts, and are a danger to peace.
2/2005) The status quo does not reect to benet others was to allow them
demographic realities. to be more like whites. She described There are signs of hope. Many commu-
white privilege as similar to an invisible nities of women religious, lay organi-
Social Analysis weightless knapsack of special provi- zations and dioceses are mandating

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sions, assurances, tools, maps, guides, and empowering anti-racism teams to
wenty-ve years have passed codebooks, passports, visas, clothes, help them transform their institutional
since the United States Con- compass, emergency gear, and blank structures.
ference of Catholic Bishops checks.
(USCCB) issued the pastoral letter Action
Brothers and Sisters to Us. The pastoral Social rules about what work is, who
directed the faithful to examine their co- works for whom, how work is compen-
vert and overt attitudes and behaviors sated, and the social process by which Each person has dignity. Each person
that discriminate on the basis of race. the result of work is appropriated has something to share. Our diversity
Also, the faithful were instructed to operate to establish relations of power rests in the individual perspective each
resist the social structures that inhibit and inequality. These relations are brings, enriched by our culture, creed,
the economic, educational, and social reinforced by a systematic process in race and gender. Every member is a
advancement of the poor. (1979:10) which the energies of the have-nots are unique facet of light for the society.
Hispanics, African-Americans, refugees, continuously expended to maintain and 1. If you are white, reect on the atti-
and Native Americans continue to suf- augment the power, status, and wealth tudes and behaviors that inuence
fer from dehumanizing treatment and of the haves. This structural relation- your relationship with people of
ship between social groups is exploita- color.
tion. (Iris Marion Young, Justice and the
White privilege Politics of Difference)
2. Use opportunities to become better
acquainted with persons of dif-
often goes unnoticed because it has ferent races by reading books by
Reflection authors of other races, participat-
been internalized and integrated as ing in discussion groups, working

A t the center of all Catholic so- together on community projects


part of ones outlook on the world by cial teaching are the transcen- and teams, sharing in cultural
dence of God and the dig- celebrations, events and interfaith
custom, habit and tradition. nity of the human person. Those who activities.
disrespect and disregard the sanctity 3. Write letters to the editor when you
the lingering effect of the sin of racism. and dignity of human beings violate perceive racial bias in reporting.
From 1990-2000, 21 documents in the this truth. 4. Examine policies, procedures and
form of episcopal letters and statements practices at your sponsored and
on racism were issued. The Constitution, the Declaration of In- closely afliated institutions. Pro-
dependence, and the Universal Declara- mote full participation and shared
Racism in its institutional form con- tion of Human Rights all afrm that ev- power in your institutions.
tinues because some people assume, 5. Recognize white privilege in your
consciously or unconsciously, that life and in society. Engage in
white people are superior. Therefore, The work of activities to eradicate racism locally
the dominant race of whites develop
and maintain institutions that privilege dismantling racism and globally in society and every
level of the Church.
people like themselves and give less
credibility to the contributions of other
is a very dicult 6. Advocate with Senators and Rep-
resentatives to extend the Voting
peoples and cultures. White privilege challenge. ... Rights Act which comes up for
often goes unnoticed because it has renewal in 2006.
been internalized and integrated as There are signs of hope. 7. Do not engage in or tolerate racial
part of ones outlook on the world by slurs and jokes.
custom, habit and tradition. eryone is entitled to certain rights and 8. Educate and advocate about Catho-
freedoms without distinction. Systemic lic Social Teaching; read Brothers
Peggy McIntosh, author of White Privi- issues are at the core of becoming a just and Sisters to Us and The Hispanic
lege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack, world. The work of dismantling racism Presence Challenge and Commitment
wrote about her experiences of white is a very difcult challenge. Excessive from USCCB.
privilege. Her education gave her no economic, social and cultural inequali-

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