Transforming Hate into Love / Fighting Prejudice
Hatred is incompatible with the Gospel. The Church teaches this and has throughout the ages:
"But any kind of social or cultural discrimination in basic personal rights on the grounds of sex, race, color, social conditions, language or religion, must be curbed and eradicated as incompatible with God’s design." ~ Gaudium et Spes (“The Church in the Modern World”), Vatican II, 1965, #29.
"Let the Church proclaim to all that the sin of racism defiles the image of God and degrades the sacred dignity of humankind which has been revealed by the mystery of the Incarnation. Let all know that it is a terrible sin that mocks the cross of Christ and ridicules the Incarnation. For the brother and sister of our Brother Jesus Christ are brother and sister to us." ~Brothers and Sisters to Us, USCCB, 1979.
"But any kind of social or cultural discrimination in basic personal rights on the grounds of sex, race, color, social conditions, language or religion, must be curbed and eradicated as incompatible with God’s design." ~ Gaudium et Spes (“The Church in the Modern World”), Vatican II, 1965, #29.
"Let the Church proclaim to all that the sin of racism defiles the image of God and degrades the sacred dignity of humankind which has been revealed by the mystery of the Incarnation. Let all know that it is a terrible sin that mocks the cross of Christ and ridicules the Incarnation. For the brother and sister of our Brother Jesus Christ are brother and sister to us." ~Brothers and Sisters to Us, USCCB, 1979.
A movie that explores the issues surrounding race and violence:
The Hate You Give This is a movie that contains scenes of violence and so it is rated PG-13. It can provide parents and older children an important opportunity to look at issues that are very challenging for our country: race and violence. The movie views the issues from the perspective of a young girl who gets caught in the crossfire literally. There is no review available at this time. (Official Movie Trailer)
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Tips for Parents & Teachers: Raising Children Free of Prejudice
Resources to help parents and/or teachers have important conversations. It takes all of us to raise children without prejudice.
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If we realize that young children are at the beginning of their journey of learning and experiencing life in all of it’s beauty and diversity, then perhaps any steps we take to help them begin that journey are valuable. This article by Diane Dykgraaf offers tangible ideas to expand a child's worldview. Click here.
(network.crcna.org) |
Kids pick up on prejudice at an early age. Learn what experts are doing to stop negative beliefs before they take root. This article offers ideas on helping raise children free of prejudice. It also offers parents tips on what to do if your child is a victim of prejudice. Click here.
(parents.com) |
Resources:
- How To Talk To Kids about Racism and Racial Violence (Common Sense Media)
- Stations of the Cross - Overcoming Racism (USCCB)
- Vía Crucis: Superando el racismo (USCCB)
- How White Parents Can Use Media to Raise Anti-Racist Kids (Common Sense Media)
Facilitating Parent Group Discussions About Racism, Inclusion & Diversity
Click HERE for a video and a guide from author Jenna Hanchard and K5 News Seattle, WA, telling real stories with real people.
Catholic Social Teaching Themes to Refer to in this Conversation
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Life and Dignity of the Human Person
The Catholic Church proclaims that human life is sacred and that the dignity of the human person is the foundation of a moral vision for society.This belief is the foundation of all the principles of our social teaching.We believe that every person is precious... and that the measure of every institution is whether it threatens or enhances the life and dignity of the human person. Click here for family resources, children's books, movies, and activity ideas related to this Catholic Social Teaching. |
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Solidarity
We are one human family whatever our national, racial, ethnic, economic, and ideological differences. We are our brothers and sisters keepers, wherever they may be. Loving our neighbor has global dimensions in a shrinking world. At the core of the virtue of solidarity is the pursuit of justice and peace. Pope Paul VI taught that if you want peace, work for justice.1 The Gospel calls us to be peacemakers. Our love for all our sisters and brothers demands that we promote peace in a world surrounded by violence and conflict.
We are one human family whatever our national, racial, ethnic, economic, and ideological differences. We are our brothers and sisters keepers, wherever they may be. Loving our neighbor has global dimensions in a shrinking world. At the core of the virtue of solidarity is the pursuit of justice and peace. Pope Paul VI taught that if you want peace, work for justice.1 The Gospel calls us to be peacemakers. Our love for all our sisters and brothers demands that we promote peace in a world surrounded by violence and conflict.
"We join our voices with civic and religious leaders in pledging to work for healing and reconciliation. Our efforts must address racism and the violence so visible today. As the U.S. Catholic Bishops said in our pastoral letter on racism, “Racism is not merely one sin among many; it is a radical evil that divides the human family and denies the new creation of a redeemed world. To struggle against it demands an equally radical transformation, in our own minds and hearts as well as in the structure of our society.” The Catholic community stands with all people who struggle for an end to racism and violence, in our families, in our places of worship, in our communities and in our world. We must continue to build bridges and we must confront racism and violence with a commitment to life, a vision of hope, and a call to action." ~ Statement from Archbishop Kurtz, President of the U.S. Bishops Conference, June 19, 2015.