We Cry Out for Racial Justice!
The founder of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd stated that each person is worth the whole world.
Unfortunately, because of personal and institutional racism, we often fail to recognize the infinite value of each person.
At a time of rising racial tension in our nation, we, as staff of the National Advocacy Center, re-commit ourselves to opposing racism in all its forms.
With renewed energy, we will seek reform in our criminal justice system and in our immigration system. We oppose disparate sentencing based on race. We oppose denying admittance of refugees based on their religion. In terms of immigration, with Pope Francis we will work to build bridges not walls.
We pledge to continue to bring the human dimension to the political discussion.
Unfortunately, because of personal and institutional racism, we often fail to recognize the infinite value of each person.
At a time of rising racial tension in our nation, we, as staff of the National Advocacy Center, re-commit ourselves to opposing racism in all its forms.
With renewed energy, we will seek reform in our criminal justice system and in our immigration system. We oppose disparate sentencing based on race. We oppose denying admittance of refugees based on their religion. In terms of immigration, with Pope Francis we will work to build bridges not walls.
We pledge to continue to bring the human dimension to the political discussion.
Black Voices in Poetry
|
For #BlackHistoryMonth 2021, we highlighted the work of Black voices in poetry.
A compilation of all voices collected is available here. Here is Jericho Brown: Today, we’re highlighting the work of the critically acclaimed writer and poet Jericho Brown.
Brown is the director of the Creative Writing Program at Emory University and a recipient of the Pulitzer Prize, Whiting Award, and fellowships from the Guggenheim Foundation & Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard. Read his striking poem, “Riddle”, and explore his other works at https://www.jerichobrown.com/. |
|
NAC Land Acknowledgement
|
|
Pope Francis wrote in Laudato Si’, “[I]t is essential to show special care for indigenous communities and their cultural traditions. They are not merely one minority among others, but should be the principal dialogue partners, especially when large projects affecting their land are proposed. For them, land is not a commodity but rather a gift from God and from their ancestors who rest there, a sacred space with which they need to interact if they are to maintain their identity and values. When they remain on their land, they themselves care for it best."
Today, a land acknowledgement remains a way of recognizing and expressing gratitude to the First Nations, Inuit, or Métis land that you are on. For settlers, the act of performing a land acknowledgement is a very basic and fundamental step towards reconciliation between Indigenous Peoples and settlers. Join NAC in paying homage to those who have come before us and cared for our land. To identify the tribal lands your organization or home is situated on, visit https://native-land.ca/. |
George Floyd
|
If there was any question that our country has not yet reached the summit of what it can and should be, there can be no question now. We still are living with racism, institutional racism and white privilege. Bottom line: We continue to see people of a different color as the other; and that continues to matter and reverberate throughout our society.
As people of goodwill, we pray for an America united in love and purpose: united in our aspiration for racial equality, in freedom for all to dream, and an opportunity for all to become who we want to be. Sadly and tragically, we are not there yet. Accountability is demanded of the police department and the city of Minneapolis. And that accountability must radiate out to all corners of the United States. It is long past time that we confront our racism and unjust societal structures and systems. Only by so doing can we begin the healing process for ourselves and for our nation. And only then can our great country reach its full potential. Saint Mary Euphrasia, the founder of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd, stated that each person is worth the whole world. Unfortunately, because of personal and institutional racism, we often fail to recognize the infinite value of each person. We are sounding the alarm and we will not rest until the impact of white supremacy, racism, hatred and indifference is acknowledged and extinguished.
Let us raise the consciousness of all people and give voice to the searing pain of racial inequality and disdain. Let us see the change that is needed. Let us act for the dignity of every person, no matter his or her color. Statement on the Killing of George Floyd
and Racial Injustice by our Conference of Provincials in the U.S.A. is linked below |
|
Statements on Charlottesville
Reflect & Commit
As Catholic organizations committed to building God’s beloved community we confess our own complicity and that of our organizations and our Catholic Church in the institutional racism that continues to plague our society.
We invite our communities to seriously reflect on making a commitment to: 1) Participate in racial solidarity training; 2) Create spaces for truth and reconciliation in our homes, organizations, and parishes; 3) Engage in training in nonviolent conflict transformation; 4) Promote programs of unarmed civilian peacekeepers in our communities; and 5) Require substantive ongoing de-escalation training for police officers. Read full statement by Catholic organizations |
Sign Up
Sign up for news and ways to act.
Then Rise Up & Act for Justice. Resources
We see our history and what is happening even today.
We hear the pleas of our brothers and sisters. We too are crying out for racial justice. Rise up and act for justice with us! |