Lasallian Resources
There are no easy answers, but our faith can be an important lens through which to analyze these realities and that helps us to discern the steps towards social action. The following are resources from a Catholic, Jesuit perspective–including some reflections from communities mentioned above themselves.
This list, which is not exhaustive, includes:
- Lasallians denounce violence, call for justice, prayer
- Lasallian Vision for Racial Justice
- Responding to Racism: A Lasallian Dialogue
- Message from Brother Donald Johanson, FSC, Visitor
- Resources from District of Eastern North America
- www.lasalle.org/en/combatting-the-pandemic-of-racism-lasallian-education-in-times-of-turmoil/
- www.usccb.org/resources/open-wide-our-hearts_0.pdf
Learn with Us
As a Lasallian Catholic institution, we believe in the sanctity of human life and that the dignity of every person must be valued and preserved. Our faith is a lens through which we can explore racial equity and determine the steps towards social action.
It is important to examine the critical difference between being non-racist and anti-racist, and to consider what that means in the context of faith and justice. Being anti-racist doesn’t mean that you always have the answers or possess all the knowledge. It does however, require action and work against racism and oppression. This process begins with you. Below is a list of resources to engage in this work and is by no means exhaustive.
If you feel overwhelmed and are uncertain where to start, we recommend beginning with the 21-Day Ignatian Racial Equity Challenge. The Ignatian Racial Equity Challenge is designed for all participants, regardless of race, ethnicity, prior anti-racism work, age or background and will include opportunities to learn, pray, and act on different themes of racial equity.
READ
- White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo
- What If I Say the Wrong Thing? 25 Habits For Culturally Responsive People by Verna A Myers
- Real American: Growing Up Black and Biracial in America by Julie Lythcott-Haims
- The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander
- White Supremacy Culture by Tema Okun
- White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack by Peggy McIntosh
- Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You: A Remix of the National Book Award-winning Stamped from the Beginning by Jason Reynolds and Ibram Kendi (Young Adult Version of Stamped)
- Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
- How to Be an Anti-racist by Ibram X Kendi
- We Want to Do More Than Survive: Abolitionist Teaching and the Pursuit of Educational Freedom by Bettina Love
- Asian American Youth Struggling With Covid-19 Racism
- Asian Pacific Policy and Planning Council
- Anti-Asian Racism During Coronavirus
WATCH
- 13th, a documentary about race, justice, and mass incarceration, directed by Ava DuVernay
- Race Matters: America in Crisis PBS News Hour
- Robin D'Angelo's White Fragility Talk from Seattle Public Library
LISTEN
- How to Be An Antiracist by historian Ibram X. Kendi on National Public Radio (21 minutes)
- Seeing White is a fourteen-part documentary series; themes discussed with leading scholars include the construction of racial identity, white supremacy, police shootings, and racial inequity across many institutions.
- NPR’s Code Switch features a diverse team of journalists “fascinated by the overlapping themes of race, ethnicity and culture, how they play out in our lives and communities, and how all of this is shifting."
- Intersectionality Matters! hosted by Kimberlé Crenshaw
- Listening in a Racial Crisis
UNDERSTAND
- Racial Equity Tools Glossary
- Racism Defined
- Brooklyn Friend School Anti-Bias/Social Justice Vocabulary
- Pacific University Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Glossary of Terms
ACT
- How Can Catholics Help Lead the Fight Against Racism?
- 21-day Racial Equity Challenge: Ignatian Solidarity Network : Learn, Pray and Act for Racial Justice
- 21-day Racial Equity Challenge
- Whiteaccomplices.org to educate yourself on the differences among being an actor, ally, and accomplice, and getting involved on the grassroots level.
- Buy your books from Black-owned bookstores such as Mahogany Books in DC or Ashay By the Bay in California
- Stand Up For AAPI Youth