Resources that Address the Social Injustice of Racism
The current climate of the United States has exposed once again the ugly truth that people of color in our country have long known: that systemic racism is not only a deep and grave sin, but one that exists in our society to this day. As Christians, we believe that every human life has inherent worth, as we are all created in the image and likeness of God. Racism in any form is in direct opposition to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and our mission as His followers.
While it is critical that we reiterate these truths, we know that words alone are insufficient. We must hear directly from people of color about their experiences, and then immediately move to act, fueled by the belief of the dignity of the human person.
First, we must listen to the stories of our brothers and sisters of color who experience racism firsthand.
In their pastoral letter against racism, “Open Wide Our Hearts,” the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops reminded us that:
“As Christians, we are called to listen and know the stories of our brothers and sisters. We must create opportunities to hear, with open hearts, the tragic stories that are deeply imprinted on the lives of our brothers and sisters, if we are to be moved with empathy to promote justice.”
In the NCEA Webinar, The Responsibility of Catholic Schools to Address Racism, Hosffman Ospino, Ph.D., encourages us to intentionally create “safe spaces” where people can tell and listen to stories of personal experience of racism.
It can be a difficult task to hear these stories and to be witness to the hurt perhaps unwillingly caused, but it is a critical task for our growth. As the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM) reminds us:
“We must reflect on how we are loving and respecting the dignity of others, especially our black brothers and sisters. And we must be willing to step out boldly and ask our community to hold us accountable when we are not.”
Then, we must allow the stories we heard to move us to act to ensure that the dignity of the human person will always be upheld, regardless of the color of their skin.
As our own Archbishop Blair said:
“The reform of society and institutions has to begin with individuals who are motivated to do what is right and who are prepared to work with others in a common cause for what is right and just.”
We who serve the schools and parishes of the Archdiocese of Hartford have that same responsibility to address the injustice of systemic racism in our country and institutions, and we must do so through a lens of our Roman Catholic faith. Simply put, racism is a life issue.
We echo the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM) who stated:
“... We must ask God where we are being called to act. As Pope Francis stated, ‘we cannot tolerate or turn a blind eye to racism and exclusion in any form and yet claim to defend the sacredness of every human life.’ We must discern how we can help defend our brothers and sisters in Christ when we witness injustice and racism. And we must ask what discussions we need to have or plans we must put in place to prevent racist acts in the future.”
We must reject the sin of racism, in all its forms, and stand with our brothers and sisters who have felt marginalized inside and outside of our Church. To that end, please take advantage of the resources we have collated below, from many national and local experts. Consider reviewing those in a category most pertinent to your school or parish ministry, and let us know if there are any resources we can add to benefit this important work.
Here are some links to help you navigate this page:
- Resources from the National Church
- Resources specific to school and parish ministers
-
Virtual Offerings
Resources from the National Church:
- The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB):
- Open Wide Our Hearts: A Pastoral Letter Against Racism
- Educational Resources from USCCB on Combatting Racism
- The National Catholic Education Association (NCEA):
- The National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM):
- Resource library addressing racism including ministry tools, prayers for use, and more.
- Their excellent webinar series on “Open Wide Our Hearts” is linked in the webinar section below.
Resources specific to school and parish ministers:
- Here are some ministry resources for helping those we serve understand the grave social sin of racism.
- Educator Resources:
- Empowering Young People in the Aftermath of Hate (English and Spanish)
- Addressing Race and Trauma in the Classroom
Resources for use with children (for parents/families or school/parish personnel):
- Everyone Belongs, a children’s book reflecting on the reality of racism in society through the lens of faith, which was produced by the USCCB Ad Hoc Committee Against Racism; the Department of Justice, Peace and Human Development; and Loyola Press
- Anti Racism for Kids 101: Starting to Talk About Race
- Raising Race Conscious Children
- Social Justice Resources on Racism
- Podcast: Talking Race With Young Children
- The conscious kid
- Talking with our children about race Wendy Claire Barrie
- 31 Children's books to support conversations on race, racism and resistance – EmbraceRace
- How White Parents Can Use Media to Raise Anti-Racist Kids by Common Sense Media
- Books About Racism and Social Justice
- The Power of Words (Elementary)
- Responding to Online Hate Speech (Middle)
- Countering Hate Speech Online (High School)
- Classroom Materials on Racism from Facing History and Ourselves
Virtual Offerings
Webinars and Videos:
- *NEW* Click here to view the webinar hosted by the Office of Catholic Social Justice Ministry and the OEEC on How to Talk to Children about Racism. The access password is: A$.FaY&3. Here is a link to the PowerPoint Presentation.
- *NEW* Click here to view the Pflaum sponsored Webinar: Teaching Kids to Respect Others: Racism presented by Kevin Dowd. Here is a link to the PowerPoint Presentation and Kevin’s excellent list of resources.
- *NEW* Click here to see the excellent series of webinars hosted by the Leadership Institute in the Diocese of Bridgeport called Conversations About Race.
- The Office for Catholic Social Justice Ministry (OCSJM) of the Archdiocese of Hartford is offering an excellent Virtual Conference Series on the US Bishops' Letter Against Racism, "Rooted in Faith, Opening Wide our Hearts." Click here for more information
- Click here for more resources from the OCSJM on racial justice
- The National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry has prepared the “Open Wide Our Hearts” webinar series addressing racism that is well worth viewing.
- How Studying Privilege Systems Can Strengthen Compassion - Peggy McIntosh TEDx Timberlane Schools
- Let's get to the root of racial injustice - Megan Ming Francis TEDxRainier
- Fighting Hate From Home Webinar Series provided by the Anti-Defamation League
Web Portals and Virtual Libraries:
- “Talking About Race” Web Portal National Museum of African American History and Culture
- Anti-Bias Resources NAEYC - The National Association for the Education of Young Children
- Resources for Educators, Parents and Families - the Antidefamation League
- Great Endeavors Mined & Shared Curation of Resources To Assist Our Response To Racism July 2020
- There is No Love Without Justice: The Catholic Response to Racism - By Gregory Floyd, Church Life Blog