Today’s Topic: Non-racist & Anti-racist
Franciscans hold signs during an "A.C.T. to End Racism" rally on the National Mall in Washington April 4, 2018. (CNS photo/The Catholic Standard/Jaclyn Lippelmann)
A person claiming not to be racist is different than a person actively doing the work of anti-racism. Being anti-racist doesn’t mean that you always know the correct action to take or what to say in every situation. It does require that you act and work against racism wherever it arises, especially in yourself.
As Catholics we are called to not only conquer racism in ourselves, but in others and society, as racism ignores the inherent dignity of every human being.
As Catholics the minimum is rarely enough. We must be actively seeking heaven and evangelizing to others the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Saying “I don’t see color” sounds good at first, because it means we are trying our best to look into the person—who they are, not what they look like, but unfortunately, it can imply you don’t actually see them, or feel that an integral part of them is irrelevant. It’s ok to see color of skin! It’s NOT ok to judge someone negatively or treat someone badly because of the color of their skin.
“God made every human person in His image. God delights in variety and has made us in beautiful shades to celebrate His creativity. The idea of being “color-blind” is like erasing a part of a person.”
We need to work together to recognize discrimination, prejudice, and racism exist; we need to more than simply acknowledge it…we need to fight against it in ourselves and others.
Take some moments to sit with these questions. Feel free to jot notes:
· What are your thoughts on race?
· How does your race affect you on a day to day basis?
· Are there unique events that have occurred exclusively because of your race?
· What were/are your emotional response to this topic/these ideas?
Children learn about racial differences and racial bias from an early age and learn from their first teachers—their parents.
At birth, babies look equally at all faces regardless of race.
By 3-months, babies look more at faces that resemble their caregivers
Children as young as 2 will use race to reason or presume things about behavior
By ages 2 to 4, children can internalize racial bias and tend to choose playmates based on race
Ages 4-5 children verbalize explicit racial prejudices and associate racial groups with social statues
By age 12, many children become fairly set in their beliefs—giving parents a decade to mold the learning process, so that it decreases racial bias and improves cultural understanding
Additional Resources:
Catholic Teaching and the Anti-Racist Movement by the Jesuit Post
Being Antiracist by National Museum of African American Culture & History/Smithsonian. Wonderful website with practical, small steps and activities we can consider and learn from.
Anti-Racist Podcast Guide compiled by Victoria Lynn Alexander
Families:
Alike & Different: Daniel Tiger PBS Kid’s Learning Kit by PBS Kids A good resource that uses Dnaiel Tiger episodes to broach the topic of differences and similarities well-suited for younger children.
I Promise book by LeBron James Read-Aloud read by Nina Mata, the illustrator