Posted on January 18, 2021 at 8:47 pm by Clay Curtin
January 19 is the fifth annual observance of the National Day of Racial Healing. It is a day for contemplation and collective action on how we heal from the effects of racism. Launched in 2017, it is an opportunity to bring all people together in their common humanity and inspire collective action to create a more just and equitable world.
Racism can affect all of us where we live, learn, work and play. We can experience these effects when taking children to school, applying for a new job, when trying to rent and more. Racism can affect us both as individuals and within our systems and institutions. It affects our ability to know, relate to and value one another. Systemically, it can be one of the biggest obstacles to solving the challenges we face in our communities because it often keeps us apart.
The racial healing process is usually composed of three parts:
- Listening
- Becoming open to one another’s perspectives and experiences
- Allowing yourself to be impacted and/or transformed by the experience
In healing, we recognize our common humanity, acknowledge the truth of past wrongs and build the authentic relationships capable of transforming communities and shifting our national discourse.
Learn more about the National Day of Racial Healing hosted by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.
