PRAYER:

 

A Prayer for Dismantling Racism

 

Dear God, in our efforts to dismantle racism, we understand that we struggle not merely against flesh and blood but against powers and principalities -- those institutions and systems that keep racism alive by perpetuating the lie that some members of the family are inferior and others superior.

 

Create in us a new mind and heart that will enable us to see brothers and sisters in the faces of those divided by racial categories.

 

Give us the grace and strength to rid ourselves of racial stereotypes that oppress some of us while providing entitlements to others.

 

Help us to create a Church and nation that embraces the hopes and fears of oppressed People of Color where we live, as well as those around the world.

 

Heal your family God, and make us one with you, in union with our brother Jesus, and empowered by your Holy Spirit.  Amen.

 

by the Pax Christi USA Anti-Racism Team

 

 

 

RESOURCES:

 

In this EarthBeat interview, Robert Bullard, the father of environmental justice, discusses the impact of racism on housing, food access, development, and the environment where we live.

 

In “White Supremacy and American Christianity,” Robert P. Jones and Fr. Bryan Massingale consider the intricate connections between white supremacy and Christianity. In a second conversation, they continue to assess white supremacy in American Christianity and the beliefs of white supremacy.

 

As of 2023, the Catholic Church has not canonized an African American. Saint Ann’s Catholic Church in Baltimore, Maryland is leading the call for the canonization of six Black Catholics. Learn more about this campaign in The “Center” podcast and read the biographies of these six candidates.

 

ACTION:

 

TAKE ACTION: Support the Establishment of a U.S. Commission for Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation

HR 40 and Sen 40 are pieces of legislation that would establish the Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans. The commission would examine the history of slavery in the United States and the role of the federal and state governments in supporting the institution of slavery and recommend ways the United States might recognize and remedy the effects of slavery and discrimination on African Americans. The Peace Alliance urges us to tell Congress to support a commission to study reparation proposals.  TAKE ACTION

 

TAKE ACTION: Tell Congress to Pass the End Push Out Act

Black girls are suspended, expelled, referred to law enforcement, and arrested on school campuses at rates that far exceed other students.  Many times for minor infractions such as tardiness or violations of grooming. The Ending Pushout Act would help even the score by making federal grants conditional on schools banning most suspensions and expulsions of children up to fifth grade.  MomsRising urges us to tell Congress to pass the End Push Out Act.  TAKE ACTION

 

TAKE ACTION: Tell your Congressperson to Support the BREATHE Act

Our nation is facing a turning point. We can either stand up and demand change, or we can continue watching as our Black and Brown neighbors choke on expired tear gas, disappear into unmarked vans, and bear the brunt of police brutality in this nation.  The BREATHE Act is a 21st-century Federal civil rights bill that will help communities of color not just survive but thrive. The Movement for Black Lives urges us to contact our Congressional Representatives and tell them to support the BREATHE Act.  TAKE ACTION

 

TAKE ACTION: Tell Congress to End Felony Disenfranchisement

Every citizen deserves a vote. But as of 2020, one in 16 Black Americans of voting age have lost their voting rights due to unjust felony voting laws and our criminal legal system that locks up people of color and poor people at a disproportionate rate.  Common Cause urges us to tell Congress and our state legislators to overturn unjust felony voting laws and ensure that no one is wrongfully denied a say in our democracy.  TAKE ACTION