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Augustinians Encouraged to Mark March 21, 2008
World Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

Augustinians of the Midwest are encouraged to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, March 21, 2008, with prayer, reflection, witness and action individually, in their communities and in their ministries. The Augustinians invite and encourage all who identify with Augustinian spirituality and traditions to do likewise.

In the United States, the National Holiday in honor of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, January 21, 2008, is another opportune time for reflection, prayer and action to combat racism.

The United Nations Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, adopted in 1963, states

Discrimination between human beings on the grounds of race, color or ethnic origin is an offense to human dignity and shall be condemned as a denial of the principles of the Charter of the United Nations, as a violation of the human rights and fundamental freedoms proclaimed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, as an obstacle to friendly and peaceful relations among nations and as a fact capable of disturbing peace and security among nations.

Discrimination is contrary to the example and teaching of Jesus Christ, who frequently associated with those whom the society of his time rejected (--Matthew 8: 1ss; 9: 11ss; 11: 19; Mark 2: 15ss; Luke 5: 27ss; 7: 21ss; John 8: 3ss) and told us that we would be judged on our treatment of others (--Matthew 25: 31-46).

In this 21st Century, we need to ask society and ourselves certain questions. Are we sufficiently inclusive? Are we non-discriminatory? Are our norms of behavior based on the principles taught by Jesus and enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights?

Human beings a half-century ago inflicted unprecedented torment upon one another by perverting education to feed intolerance; by twisting science to kill on an industrial scale; by debasing culture for the purpose of hatred and to the point of manipulating whole masses to murderous effects never seen before.

The horrors of racism - from slavery to apartheid to ethnic cleansing - have deeply wounded the victim and debased the perpetrator in the previous century.

These horrors are still with us in various forms. It is now time to confront them and to take comprehensive measures against them. Racism, racial discrimination and all kinds of related intolerance have not gone away. We recognize that they persist in the new century and that their persistence is rooted in fear: fear of what is different, fear of the other, fear of the loss of personal security. While fear itself is ineradicable, its consequences need not be.

We all constitute one human family. Instead of allowing diversity of race and culture to become a limiting factor in human exchange and development, now is the time to refocus our understanding and discern in diversity the potential for mutual enrichment.

For too long, diversity has been treated as threat rather than gift. And too often that threat has been expressed in racial contempt and conflict, in exclusion, discrimination and intolerance.

Can we not now pledge ourselves and encourage others as well to pledge themselves to seek conversion of mind and heart, and seek together a life where the exercise of individual gifts and personal rights is affirmed by the dynamic solidarity of our membership in the one human family?

No progress today, no sustainable development tomorrow, are conceivable without broad-based education for all, as an absolutely fundamental and universal human right, with no discrimination in regard to sex, creed or social origin.

Augustinians need merely refer to their Rule of life to be reminded of Augustine's own concern for providing a model for society itself in his community.

The rich, for their part, who seemed important in the world, must not look down upon their brothers who have come into this holy brotherhood from a condition of poverty. They should seek to glory in the fellowship of poor brothers rather than in the reputation of rich relatives. They should neither be elated if they have contributed a part of their wealth to the common life, nor take more pride in sharing their riches with the monastery than if they were to enjoy them in the world. Indeed, every other kind of sin has to do with the commission of evil deeds, whereas pride lurks even in good works in order to destroy them. And what good is it to scatter one's wealth abroad by giving to the poor, even to become poor oneself, when the unhappy soul is thereby more given to pride in despising riches than it had been in possessing them? Let all of you then live together in oneness of mind and heart, mutually honoring God in yourselves, whose temples you have become. --Rule of St. Augustine, Chapter 1

What practical steps can we take as individuals and as a community to eradicate racism? Is there something we can do to help provide effective measures of prevention, education and protection?

The Augustinians of the Midwest invite you to join us in prayer, reflection, witness and action on these questions.

--Information from the Augustinian International Secretariate for Justice and Peace, Rome

Take the Pledge Against Racism

One initial action you can do is to take the online United Nations Personal Pledge Against Racism.

       » Click here to read the Pledge Against Racism and add your commitment

Pray for an End to Racism

Another powerful action is to pray that God will touch the hearts of all, heal the hurt that racism has brought, and cleanse whatever sinfulness may be found there.

      » See recommended Bible readings and Prayers to End Racism

Additional Resources

       » Fight Against Racism, Discrimination and Xenophobia (Opens new window)
             U.N.E.S.C.O. strategy against racism and discrimination

       » International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (Opens new window)
             Information and resources from the Dag Hammarskjold Library

Other UN Days Reflect Christian Values

      » Augustinians Support International Days
             Seven U.N. Days reflect Catholic Christian values