Over 40 leaders in Pax Christi USA from every constituency (National Council, state leaders, local group leaders, the Pax Christi Anti-Racism Team and alumni, national staff, Ambassadors of Peace, and the Pax Christi Young Adult Caucus) gathered for an historic anti-racism summit in Washington, D.C. June 30-July 2, 2023, assessing the first 20 years of the racial justice commitment that we first made in 1999; reflecting on our work to become an anti-racist, multicultural peace movement; and looking ahead to the next steps of our commitment to anti-racism.
> > Find photos from the summit by clicking here.
Plans were put into place to be executed over the 2024-2026 timeframe to formally recognize the work that has been done by the Pax Christi Anti-Racism Team over the past 20+ years and resource our movement for the next phase of living into our commitment to be an anti-racist Catholic movement for peace with justice.
The Pax Christi Anti-Racism Team (PCART) was first constituted in 1999 and made up of a racially diverse group of people committed to the transformation of Pax Christi USA into an anti-racist, multicultural movement for peace and justice.
Trained by Crossroads Ministries, PCART has provided workshops for Pax Christi regions and groups throughout the nation, helping the movement to develop a common analysis of racism in the effort of dismantling personal and systemic racism.
More information on the next phase of Pax Christi USA’s anti-racism commitment is currently being developed. Members of the PCART are still available to conduct workshops; contact the PCUSA national office at least three months prior to when you would like to have your event.
Dear Anti-racist team,,
Last year I was asked if I wanted to take the Vow of NonvIolence at a local church. I took the Vow sometime in the 90’s but had not thought of it in a long time. I just read it again and had an awakening. I cannot retake this vow because it is incomplete and does not reflect the crisis of racism in our society that has been there for hundreds of years but is now finally being addressed by more and more BIPOC and white people.
My story: I have worked with homeless families, mostly people of color, until I retired in 2016.. Seeing close-up how families faced insurmountable barriers due to racism, I felt compelled to take action. In August 2013 I attended a Black Lives Rally matter after the death of Michael Brown and after the rally I got into a conversation with a Black Minister, esteemed in our City, Seattle, who said “Karen, the best thing you can do for our people is to talk with white people about racism. Try and change their hearts.” Fast forward, since then I have heard this many times from People of Color so after some reflection I have dedicated my life to doing just that. One of the most important books that really transformed me was What Does it Mean to be White? -.Developing White Literacy by Robin DiAngelo. I learned that in order to understand racism I had to have a thorough analysis of my white identity in order to interrupt it personally and systemically.
During this time I also heard Black women saying, “White silence is killing us!” This hit me really hard and also informs my thinking because it is profoundly true!!
All this is to say that the Vow of Nonviolence needs to reflect the crisis of racism. It needs to be looked at through a critical race lens and adapted so that the white folks taking the Vow know that interrupting racism is also their responsibility as humans and as Christians Otherwise, the Vow rings meaningless. Even Pope Francis said, “Racism today is the ultimate evil in our world.” The Vow needs to reflect this reality. After all, we know that if you want Peace you work for Justice!.
Please let me know your thoughts and if there is someone else I should contact about this. Also, I respectfully suggest that you add Robin DiAngelo’s book to the Vow of Nonviolence resource list under Racial Justice.
Sincerely and in solidarity,
Karen Schneider
Seattle, Washington
Hello again!
I forgot to mention that I had written the above letter several years ago..and never sent it. I recently ran into it and decided to send it after all. I am no longer with the Breaking White Silence Project and have put my activist energy into the Poor Peoples Campaign: A National Call for a Moral Revival. I believe Pax Christi USA is a mobilizing partner ..but it’s hard to get traction in Catholic Churches here in Washington because the Poor Peoples Campaign.org is not actively against abortion. This is such a shame as the Poor Peoples Campaign is a movement that strives to bring everyone out of their silos to address the tragic reality that poverty is the fourth cause of death in the United States by addressing systemic racism, poverty, the war economy and ecological devastation. As Rev. Barber says..we commit policy murder.
In any case, I am also including the study courses that Breaking White Silence is now offering..and since they are on zoom..they are accessible for folks everywhere. Thank you for reading all this and I would love to get some feedback.
Forward together,
Karen Schneider
karensc2011@gmail.com
Winter 2024 – TWO New Anti-Racism Groups Launching
Please join us if you are a white person who:
● cares deeply about racial justice, and knows that systemic racism and white supremacy remain powerful forces in our society,
● wants to better align your anti-racist values with anti-racist actions – personally and with others, and
● is willing to co-create a brave and supportive space to explore all this?
Book Study Group – 7-session deep dive (via Zoom) into the book Nice Racism – How Progressive White People Perpetuate Racial Harm, by Dr. Robin DiAngelo.
We will create a supportive and challenging space in which we, as white progressives, can explore how to get as free as possible of our racialized conditioning; reduce the harm we cause; and work effectively with others to build the foundation for a healthy and just multi-racial society.
When: Alternate Sundays, 1 – 3 pm; Jan 7 – Mar 17, 2024, by zoom
Cost: Free!
Facilitator: Suzanne Engelberg
Book-Based Practice Group – Deepening Skills in Holding Constructive Conversations around Race, based on The Facilitator’s Guide for White Affinity Groups by Robin DiAngelo and Amy Burtaine
We will practice using skills described in the book to address common challenging situations faced by anti-racist allies at work, in families and in the community. Each session will have 3 elements:
· clarifying the ideas and strategies presented in the selected book chapters
· practicing using the skills in small group simulations, and
· supporting each other in addressing current challenging situations
When: First Sunday of each month Jan- June 2024, 7-8:30pm by zoom
Cost: Free!
Facilitators: Paul Finley and Yarrow Durbin
To register or for more information, email info@breakingwhitesilencenw.org.
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