A PRAYERFUL CONVERSATION ON RACE:
An opportunity to enter into racial questions with yourself and other parishioners
This conversation is an eight week process that can be done individually or as part of a group. It is best done in the spirit of prayer. Basic to Ignatian spirituality is the premise of "Finding God in All things." We encourage you to enter into this conversation with that in mind.
Weeks 1-3, 5-7 and part of week 8 are meant to be completed individually. Points for groups to gather are built in for the beginning and during weeks 4 and 8.
Many resources are contained herein and many more within the links below. Start small and only concentrate on some aspects, otherwise this conversation can be overwhelming. Come back to it over time. Sit with it, let it stir within you. Pray it. Journal, if that is your style. But mainly, let it penetrate your heart that leads you to act.
(Adapted and collected from the 21 Day Ignatian Racial Equity Challenge and the Unity Challenge to Dismantle Racism)
Weeks 1-3, 5-7 and part of week 8 are meant to be completed individually. Points for groups to gather are built in for the beginning and during weeks 4 and 8.
Many resources are contained herein and many more within the links below. Start small and only concentrate on some aspects, otherwise this conversation can be overwhelming. Come back to it over time. Sit with it, let it stir within you. Pray it. Journal, if that is your style. But mainly, let it penetrate your heart that leads you to act.
(Adapted and collected from the 21 Day Ignatian Racial Equity Challenge and the Unity Challenge to Dismantle Racism)
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Week 1
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Week 2
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Week 3
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Week 4
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Week 5
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Week 6
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Week 7
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Week 8
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Opening Prayer/Dialogue
Gather with other participants for short prayer and insights before beginning this journey.
Gather with other participants for short prayer and insights before beginning this journey.
Defining the Terms/Personal Racial Identity
Conversation around racism has increased dramatically in recent months. However, people often use vocabulary around racial injustice in different ways and with different understandings of what words mean. For example, some people hear the term white supremacy and think it is the same as white nationalism. Today, we invite you to explore resources that will help us to define a shared vocabulary for the duration of the challenge.
LEARN: Use the Racial Equity Tools glossary to read the definitions for the following words:
Racial equity; Racism; White privilege; White supremacy
Commonly used abbreviations: POC: People or Person of Color, BIPOC: Black Indigenous People of Color
What is Race and Racial Identity? Either read this article or watch this video (Race & Ethnicity).
PRAY: An Examen for Racism | Jesuit Conference of the United States and Canada (audio available)
This Examen explores how our actions and privilege contribute to the destruction of the dignity and humanity of the Black community in the U.S.
ACT: Invite a friend to join the challenge so that you have a conversation and accountability partner.
REFLECT:
After reading the definitions, we understand that racism and white supremacy are systems and more than interpersonal niceness between people. All white people benefit from racist systems. Have you ever considered racism to include more than interpersonal interactions, and how do you personally benefit from racist systems? (for white people)
Conversation around racism has increased dramatically in recent months. However, people often use vocabulary around racial injustice in different ways and with different understandings of what words mean. For example, some people hear the term white supremacy and think it is the same as white nationalism. Today, we invite you to explore resources that will help us to define a shared vocabulary for the duration of the challenge.
LEARN: Use the Racial Equity Tools glossary to read the definitions for the following words:
Racial equity; Racism; White privilege; White supremacy
Commonly used abbreviations: POC: People or Person of Color, BIPOC: Black Indigenous People of Color
What is Race and Racial Identity? Either read this article or watch this video (Race & Ethnicity).
PRAY: An Examen for Racism | Jesuit Conference of the United States and Canada (audio available)
This Examen explores how our actions and privilege contribute to the destruction of the dignity and humanity of the Black community in the U.S.
ACT: Invite a friend to join the challenge so that you have a conversation and accountability partner.
REFLECT:
- When did you first become aware of your racial identity?
- What messages did you learn about race from your school and family? Did they align with what you’ve seen in your life?
- What ways have others perceived your racial identity and how has that affected the way they treat you?
- What information were you given about how to deal with racial differences?
After reading the definitions, we understand that racism and white supremacy are systems and more than interpersonal niceness between people. All white people benefit from racist systems. Have you ever considered racism to include more than interpersonal interactions, and how do you personally benefit from racist systems? (for white people)
What does it mean to be non-racist and anti-racist?
A person claiming not to be racist is different from a person actively doing the work of anti-racism. These resources explore the critical difference between being non-racist and anti-racist, and what that means in the context of faith and justice. 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.
LEARN: Are you racist? No is not a good enough answer | The Guardian (2 minute video)
Being Antiracist | National Museum of African American History and Culture
Read about the levels of racism at the beginning of the article.
PRAY: Lay Down Your Life | Ignatian Solidarity Network
Often, we are afraid of naming when we are racist. As Peter’s fear caused him to deny his friend Jesus, our fear prevents us from naming for ourselves moments when we are complicit in and contribute to racism.
ACT/REFLECT: In your daily life, whom do you interact with, what media do you consume, where do you shop? Reflect on these and other daily and lifestyle choices—how do the ways you move in world reflect being anti-racist?
A person claiming not to be racist is different from a person actively doing the work of anti-racism. These resources explore the critical difference between being non-racist and anti-racist, and what that means in the context of faith and justice. 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.
LEARN: Are you racist? No is not a good enough answer | The Guardian (2 minute video)
Being Antiracist | National Museum of African American History and Culture
Read about the levels of racism at the beginning of the article.
PRAY: Lay Down Your Life | Ignatian Solidarity Network
Often, we are afraid of naming when we are racist. As Peter’s fear caused him to deny his friend Jesus, our fear prevents us from naming for ourselves moments when we are complicit in and contribute to racism.
ACT/REFLECT: In your daily life, whom do you interact with, what media do you consume, where do you shop? Reflect on these and other daily and lifestyle choices—how do the ways you move in world reflect being anti-racist?
White Supremacy/White Fragility
The Racial Equity Tools Glossary helped us to understand better the meaning of the terms white privilege and white supremacy as they relate to our racial equity work. Today, we dig deeper into the ways that whiteness and racism are integrally connected.
LEARN: Deconstructing White Privilege | Dr. Robin DiAngelo (20 minutes)
This video provides a strong foundation in concepts around anti-racism.
Talking about race is challenging for some. For white people, “White Fragility” refers to their discomfort and avoidance of racially charged stress, which perpetuates racial inequity.
LEARN: How ‘white fragility’ reinforces racism (5 minutes)
PRAY: Selection from a talk by Dr. James Cone about The Cross and the Lynching Tree*
[PLEASE NOTE: this video includes images of lynchings.]
ACT: Take a quick quiz from the publisher of “White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk about Racism,” Robin DiAngelo, PhD, to see if you exhibit “White Fragility” traits.
REFLECT: How does denying the existence of racism and white privilege perpetuate racial inequality and unequal outcomes? (for white people)
PRAY: The Ultimate Sacrifice | Ignatian Solidarity Network
The Racial Equity Tools Glossary helped us to understand better the meaning of the terms white privilege and white supremacy as they relate to our racial equity work. Today, we dig deeper into the ways that whiteness and racism are integrally connected.
LEARN: Deconstructing White Privilege | Dr. Robin DiAngelo (20 minutes)
This video provides a strong foundation in concepts around anti-racism.
Talking about race is challenging for some. For white people, “White Fragility” refers to their discomfort and avoidance of racially charged stress, which perpetuates racial inequity.
LEARN: How ‘white fragility’ reinforces racism (5 minutes)
PRAY: Selection from a talk by Dr. James Cone about The Cross and the Lynching Tree*
[PLEASE NOTE: this video includes images of lynchings.]
ACT: Take a quick quiz from the publisher of “White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk about Racism,” Robin DiAngelo, PhD, to see if you exhibit “White Fragility” traits.
REFLECT: How does denying the existence of racism and white privilege perpetuate racial inequality and unequal outcomes? (for white people)
PRAY: The Ultimate Sacrifice | Ignatian Solidarity Network
Anti-Blackness
Understanding anti-Blackness is central to understanding the social, economic, and cultural realities of race in the U.S. These resources will draw you into understanding and lamenting the historical and present day manifestations of anti-Blackness in our society and its systems.
LEARN: Opinion: Racism Didn’t Kill George Floyd. Anti-Blackness Did | The New York Times
PRAY: Oh, God of justice, come to our aid | NCR
ACT: Support a Black-owned business, either online or in your community.
REFLECT: How have you expressed anti-Blackness in your own thoughts or actions? (for white people)
PRAY: The Power to Heal | Ignatian Solidarity Network
We can all agree that America is in need of race reconciliation. However, how do we begin to heal from our past?
Understanding anti-Blackness is central to understanding the social, economic, and cultural realities of race in the U.S. These resources will draw you into understanding and lamenting the historical and present day manifestations of anti-Blackness in our society and its systems.
LEARN: Opinion: Racism Didn’t Kill George Floyd. Anti-Blackness Did | The New York Times
PRAY: Oh, God of justice, come to our aid | NCR
ACT: Support a Black-owned business, either online or in your community.
REFLECT: How have you expressed anti-Blackness in your own thoughts or actions? (for white people)
PRAY: The Power to Heal | Ignatian Solidarity Network
We can all agree that America is in need of race reconciliation. However, how do we begin to heal from our past?
Microagressions
The Racial Equity Tools Glossary defines microaggressions as “everyday verbal, nonverbal, and environmental slights, snubs, or insults, whether intentional or unintentional, which communicate hostile, derogatory, or negative messages to target persons based solely upon their marginalized group membership.”
LEARN: Microaggressions Explained
This video also explains the effects that microaggressions can have on a person’s mental health.
PRAY: Prayer for Dismantling Racism | Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary of the Woods
ACT: Reflect upon which microaggressions you’ve overheard, witnessed, or even used yourself. How can you commit to using your privilege to intervene the next time you hear or see a microaggression being used?
REFLECT: When you realize you have used a microaggression, or are called out by someone for using one, notice if your first response is to jump to defensiveness, or to judge for yourself whether you thought the comment was racist or not. Why is that? Is your defensiveness helpful in the situation? (for white people)
Use some time today to engage in an act of self-care, acknowledging that you bear the weight of microaggressions. (for BIPOC)
The Racial Equity Tools Glossary defines microaggressions as “everyday verbal, nonverbal, and environmental slights, snubs, or insults, whether intentional or unintentional, which communicate hostile, derogatory, or negative messages to target persons based solely upon their marginalized group membership.”
LEARN: Microaggressions Explained
This video also explains the effects that microaggressions can have on a person’s mental health.
PRAY: Prayer for Dismantling Racism | Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary of the Woods
ACT: Reflect upon which microaggressions you’ve overheard, witnessed, or even used yourself. How can you commit to using your privilege to intervene the next time you hear or see a microaggression being used?
REFLECT: When you realize you have used a microaggression, or are called out by someone for using one, notice if your first response is to jump to defensiveness, or to judge for yourself whether you thought the comment was racist or not. Why is that? Is your defensiveness helpful in the situation? (for white people)
Use some time today to engage in an act of self-care, acknowledging that you bear the weight of microaggressions. (for BIPOC)
This week, we will examine racism and the culture of white supremacy through the lens of the Catholic Church. While we recognize that the Church has a history of speaking out against racism, including a variety of pastoral letters and documents, we will begin with an overview of the Church’s historical and ongoing role in racism.
Racism and the Catholic Church
LEARN: Black theology and a legacy of oppression | M. Shawn Copeland for America Magazine
PRAY: A Catholic cry for Black Lives Matter | National Catholic Reporter
If we take that we are indeed a global church and if we take that all are God’s children and if we take that each one of us, together, comprise the body of Christ, then we must admit that our body is broken. Our body is bloodied. Our body is being murdered.
ACT: Explore quotes from James Cone, the father of Black liberation theology, from his book The Cross and the Lynching Tree.
REFLECT: The assumptions of white privilege and what we can do about it | Fr. Bryan Massingale for National Catholic Reporter
In the article above, Fr. Bryan Massingale quotes St. Pope John Paul II and calls for white Catholics to be “unconditionally pro-life” and to “eradicate every form of racism” as a part of our essential commitment to life.
Racism and the Catholic Church
LEARN: Black theology and a legacy of oppression | M. Shawn Copeland for America Magazine
PRAY: A Catholic cry for Black Lives Matter | National Catholic Reporter
If we take that we are indeed a global church and if we take that all are God’s children and if we take that each one of us, together, comprise the body of Christ, then we must admit that our body is broken. Our body is bloodied. Our body is being murdered.
ACT: Explore quotes from James Cone, the father of Black liberation theology, from his book The Cross and the Lynching Tree.
REFLECT: The assumptions of white privilege and what we can do about it | Fr. Bryan Massingale for National Catholic Reporter
In the article above, Fr. Bryan Massingale quotes St. Pope John Paul II and calls for white Catholics to be “unconditionally pro-life” and to “eradicate every form of racism” as a part of our essential commitment to life.
- Has your pro-life commitment excluded consideration of racism in the past?
- How can you better integrate racism as a life issue in your lived faith and in your faith community?
Catholic Social Teaching, the Gospel and Race
What can we learn about how we are called to work for racial equity through the lens of Catholic Social Teaching, the Gospel, and through the work of Black Catholic leaders and theologians?
LEARN: What does it mean to be Black and Catholic? | Sr. Thea Bowman, FSPA (4 minutes)
PRAY: ‘How long, O Lord?’ Psalm 13 is the cry of black Americans | Mario Powell, S.J. for America Media
ACT: Research how your diocese and bishop are addressing the sin of racism. How can you advocate furthering this work?
Read: When will the US bishops address the evil of systemic racism head-on?
REFLECT: The author of the article below asks, after a Catholic vigil for racial justice: Where are the black voices in this vigil? The same question can be asked of Catholic worship and liturgy in general.
Reflect on your experience of worship in the Catholic Church. How has liturgy been “whitewashed” to reflect European styles and values? Consider art/statues, music, verbal response during mass, and any other elements that come to mind.
What can we learn about how we are called to work for racial equity through the lens of Catholic Social Teaching, the Gospel, and through the work of Black Catholic leaders and theologians?
LEARN: What does it mean to be Black and Catholic? | Sr. Thea Bowman, FSPA (4 minutes)
PRAY: ‘How long, O Lord?’ Psalm 13 is the cry of black Americans | Mario Powell, S.J. for America Media
ACT: Research how your diocese and bishop are addressing the sin of racism. How can you advocate furthering this work?
Read: When will the US bishops address the evil of systemic racism head-on?
REFLECT: The author of the article below asks, after a Catholic vigil for racial justice: Where are the black voices in this vigil? The same question can be asked of Catholic worship and liturgy in general.
Reflect on your experience of worship in the Catholic Church. How has liturgy been “whitewashed” to reflect European styles and values? Consider art/statues, music, verbal response during mass, and any other elements that come to mind.
- How Catholic vigils for racial justice can center the black experience | America Magazine
A Catholic Response to Racism
After starting our week with an exploration of the history of racism in relation to the Catholic Church and what the Catholic faith teaches about racial equity, we ask how do we respond, both as individuals and as a Church?
LEARN: How can Catholics help lead the fight against racism? | America Magazine
PRAY: To fight racism, Catholics must hunger for justice like we do for the Eucharist | America Magazine
ACT: Addressing racism in our schools, parishes, and relationships is essential yet deeply challenging work. Often, simply starting the conversation requires courage and deep intentionality.
Using the video below as a guide, consider one difficult conversation you might feel called to have about racial justice. Create an action plan using the “Steps to Authentic Dialogue” presented in the video to help guide your conversation.
Courageous Conversations: Dialogue to Overcome Fear | Faith in Public Life for ISN (34 minutes total, focus on minutes 4-15 for tips for Courageous Conversations)
REFLECT: In the article below, the author invites all people to listen deeply, “with the ears of the heart” to the pain and sorrow of our teachers (friends, colleagues, strangers) who have protested racial injustice.
After starting our week with an exploration of the history of racism in relation to the Catholic Church and what the Catholic faith teaches about racial equity, we ask how do we respond, both as individuals and as a Church?
LEARN: How can Catholics help lead the fight against racism? | America Magazine
PRAY: To fight racism, Catholics must hunger for justice like we do for the Eucharist | America Magazine
ACT: Addressing racism in our schools, parishes, and relationships is essential yet deeply challenging work. Often, simply starting the conversation requires courage and deep intentionality.
Using the video below as a guide, consider one difficult conversation you might feel called to have about racial justice. Create an action plan using the “Steps to Authentic Dialogue” presented in the video to help guide your conversation.
Courageous Conversations: Dialogue to Overcome Fear | Faith in Public Life for ISN (34 minutes total, focus on minutes 4-15 for tips for Courageous Conversations)
REFLECT: In the article below, the author invites all people to listen deeply, “with the ears of the heart” to the pain and sorrow of our teachers (friends, colleagues, strangers) who have protested racial injustice.
- What has your heart heard in the past few months?
- How can we “confront the reality that as whites we too cause their pain, agony and sorrow” and allow this to be a part of our daily conversion?
Act of Repetition
St. Ignatius invites us into the practice of “repetition” in prayer in which we return to a previous prayer period in order to become more attentive to the movements of God in our heart. In that spirit, you are invited to revisit resources from the past weeks. Use the questions below as a guide.
St. Ignatius invites us into the practice of “repetition” in prayer in which we return to a previous prayer period in order to become more attentive to the movements of God in our heart. In that spirit, you are invited to revisit resources from the past weeks. Use the questions below as a guide.
- As you look back, which themes produced a strong emotion or left you wanting to explore more?
- Was there a resource you read or watched but didn’t have time to unpack or process? Take some time to do that today.
- Engage with a resource you didn’t have time to use during the week, explore an additional resource, or take time to prayerfully journal or talk to God about what came up for you in relation to a theme.
Prayer/Dialogue
Pray and Dialogue with your fellow parishioners to process your journey thus far.
Pray and Dialogue with your fellow parishioners to process your journey thus far.
Race and Housing
LEARN: Housing Segregation and Redlining in America: A Short History | NPR (6 minute video)
PRAY: The Betrayed and the Betrayers | Ignatian Solidarity Network
Racial justice cannot be separated from economic justice…Like the prophet Isaiah, those who care about justice must become advocates and “speak to the weary” and set our “faces like flint.”
ACT: Using the tool “Mapping Inequality: Redlining in New Deal America”, learn about the history of redlining in your town or city. Note the effects that this reality has continued to have on your community.
REFLECT: Examine your own biases in relation to where you live. Consider your own neighborhood. How did you select where you live? Who are your neighbors? What racial dynamics in your local community have played a role in where you choose to live?
To read what is happening in Stark County, Housing Inequity in Your Backyard.
LEARN: Housing Segregation and Redlining in America: A Short History | NPR (6 minute video)
PRAY: The Betrayed and the Betrayers | Ignatian Solidarity Network
Racial justice cannot be separated from economic justice…Like the prophet Isaiah, those who care about justice must become advocates and “speak to the weary” and set our “faces like flint.”
ACT: Using the tool “Mapping Inequality: Redlining in New Deal America”, learn about the history of redlining in your town or city. Note the effects that this reality has continued to have on your community.
REFLECT: Examine your own biases in relation to where you live. Consider your own neighborhood. How did you select where you live? Who are your neighbors? What racial dynamics in your local community have played a role in where you choose to live?
To read what is happening in Stark County, Housing Inequity in Your Backyard.
Racism and the Environment
LEARN: A Brief History of Environmental Justice | ProPublica (3 minute video)
PRAY: A Prayer for Our Earth | Pope Francis, Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home
ACT: Research environmental racism in your city. Find an organization you can support or a cause you can advocate for in your local community. If you belong to a church or school community, invite them into this work, as well.
Learn and share information on social media about the mother and father of the environmental justice movement in the United States: Hazel M. Johnson and Robert D. Bullard.
REFLECT: Where do you see environmental racism in your community?
LEARN: A Brief History of Environmental Justice | ProPublica (3 minute video)
PRAY: A Prayer for Our Earth | Pope Francis, Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home
ACT: Research environmental racism in your city. Find an organization you can support or a cause you can advocate for in your local community. If you belong to a church or school community, invite them into this work, as well.
Learn and share information on social media about the mother and father of the environmental justice movement in the United States: Hazel M. Johnson and Robert D. Bullard.
REFLECT: Where do you see environmental racism in your community?
Racism and Healthcare
LEARN: Watch David. R Williams, a public health sociologist, on the TED stage discuss why race and deep-rooted systemic racism have such a profound impact on health.
PRAY: Casting My Lot with the Out Crowd | Ignatian Solidarity Network
ACT/REFLECT: Self-Care | National Museum of African American History and Culture
The work toward anti-racism is a life-long process in which we need to sustain ourselves. Complete one of the practices mentioned in this article to help sustain you in this continued work.
(Note: Information specific to Stark County available on the Dismantling Racism site.)
LEARN: Watch David. R Williams, a public health sociologist, on the TED stage discuss why race and deep-rooted systemic racism have such a profound impact on health.
PRAY: Casting My Lot with the Out Crowd | Ignatian Solidarity Network
ACT/REFLECT: Self-Care | National Museum of African American History and Culture
The work toward anti-racism is a life-long process in which we need to sustain ourselves. Complete one of the practices mentioned in this article to help sustain you in this continued work.
(Note: Information specific to Stark County available on the Dismantling Racism site.)
Racism and Mass Incarceration
LEARN: From Slavery to Mass Incarceration | Ben & Jerry’s
PRAY: Use this Mass Incarceration Prayer Guide from Sojourners to spend 5 minutes in prayer today.
ACT/REFLECT: Commit to watching one of these films in the coming weeks. Invite a friend or small group to do the same, and then discuss afterward.
13th | Netflix (discussion guide)
Slavery by Another Name | PBS (Community Discussion Guide, Page 13)
Just Mercy (discussion guide)
LEARN: From Slavery to Mass Incarceration | Ben & Jerry’s
PRAY: Use this Mass Incarceration Prayer Guide from Sojourners to spend 5 minutes in prayer today.
ACT/REFLECT: Commit to watching one of these films in the coming weeks. Invite a friend or small group to do the same, and then discuss afterward.
13th | Netflix (discussion guide)
Slavery by Another Name | PBS (Community Discussion Guide, Page 13)
Just Mercy (discussion guide)
Racism and Education
LEARN: Read Day 10: Education, Did you know? | Unity Challenge to Dismantle Racism
PRAY: “God our Creator, you created humankind in your image, and blessed us with your love. Help us to show that love to one another as we work for equality for all races in education, housing, public services, and employment opportunity. Give us strength and courage to speak out against injustice, and to work for the transformation of unjust systems that keep some in bondage: that we may more fully live out your kingdom here on earth; through Jesus Christ your son, who came to set us free.” Amen. |WV Diocesan Commission to End Racism
ACT/REFLECT: Personal Reflection, Day 10 | Unity Challenge to Dismantle Racism
LEARN: Read Day 10: Education, Did you know? | Unity Challenge to Dismantle Racism
PRAY: “God our Creator, you created humankind in your image, and blessed us with your love. Help us to show that love to one another as we work for equality for all races in education, housing, public services, and employment opportunity. Give us strength and courage to speak out against injustice, and to work for the transformation of unjust systems that keep some in bondage: that we may more fully live out your kingdom here on earth; through Jesus Christ your son, who came to set us free.” Amen. |WV Diocesan Commission to End Racism
ACT/REFLECT: Personal Reflection, Day 10 | Unity Challenge to Dismantle Racism
Racism and Policing
LEARN: Police Brutality in America Should Come as No Surprise | The Guardian on Equal Justice Initiative website (3 minute video)
(scroll down to under Related Resources for video)
PRAY: Virtual Prayer Vigil for Lamentation and Justice | Ignatian Solidarity Network (end at 50:00)
ACT: Research where protests addressing policing and racism are happening in your local community and what protesters are asking for. Consider joining or supporting these and organize your church, school, or other community to join you.
REFLECT: Notice how you feel when you hear terms like “defund the police.” Take time to note any strong emotions that arise. How does your experience with the police as a white person differ from what you’ve learned is the reality for Black people?
LEARN: Police Brutality in America Should Come as No Surprise | The Guardian on Equal Justice Initiative website (3 minute video)
(scroll down to under Related Resources for video)
PRAY: Virtual Prayer Vigil for Lamentation and Justice | Ignatian Solidarity Network (end at 50:00)
ACT: Research where protests addressing policing and racism are happening in your local community and what protesters are asking for. Consider joining or supporting these and organize your church, school, or other community to join you.
REFLECT: Notice how you feel when you hear terms like “defund the police.” Take time to note any strong emotions that arise. How does your experience with the police as a white person differ from what you’ve learned is the reality for Black people?
What does it mean to be an Ally?
LEARN: Race Equity Tools’ Guidelines for Being a Strong White Ally
PRAY: An Examen for White Allies | Ignatian Solidarity Network
ACT/REFLECT: From Unity Challenge to Dismantle Racism
LEARN: Race Equity Tools’ Guidelines for Being a Strong White Ally
- How to Be an Active Bystander When You See Casual Racism |New York Times
PRAY: An Examen for White Allies | Ignatian Solidarity Network
ACT/REFLECT: From Unity Challenge to Dismantle Racism
- What were some of my assumptions about race and racial inequity before I started this challenge? In what ways have these assumptions been challenged? In what ways have they been reinforced?
- Where have I seen evidence of inequities and systemic and structural racism in my community?
Act of Repetition
St. Ignatius invites us into the practice of “repetition” in prayer in which we return to a previous prayer period in order to become more attentive to the movements of God in our heart. In that spirit, you are invited to revisit resources from the past weeks. Use the questions below as a guide.
St. Ignatius invites us into the practice of “repetition” in prayer in which we return to a previous prayer period in order to become more attentive to the movements of God in our heart. In that spirit, you are invited to revisit resources from the past weeks. Use the questions below as a guide.
- As you look back, which themes produced a strong emotion or left you wanting to explore more?
- Was there a resource you read or watched but didn’t have time to unpack or process? Take some time to do that today.
- Engage with a resource you didn’t have time to use during the week, explore an additional resource, or take time to prayerfully journal or talk to God about what came up for you in relation to a theme.
Closing Prayer/Dialogue
Pray and Dialogue with your fellow parishioners to process the journey and what is next for you.
Pray and Dialogue with your fellow parishioners to process the journey and what is next for you.
Now what? Next steps...
Where do I go from here? Some ideas:
Where do I go from here? Some ideas:
- Look through the two websites this conversation is based upon (21-Day Ignatian Racial Equity Challenge & Unity Challenge to Dismantle Racism) and delve deeper into the resources.
- Novena for Racial Justice | Ignatian Solidary Network
- Continue the dialogue.