Resources for Educators: Racism

Respect for the human person entails respect for the rights that flow from his dignity as a creature. These rights are prior to society and must be recognized by it. They are the basis of the moral legitimacy of every authority: by flouting them, or refusing to recognize them in its positive legislation, a society undermines its own moral legitimacy. If it does not respect them, authority can rely only on force or violence to obtain obedience from its subjects. It is the Church’s role to remind men of good will of these rights and to distinguish them from unwarranted or false claims. CCC 1930.

Church Documents:

• 25^th Anniversary “Brothers and Sisters” to Us: US Bishops’ Pastoral Statement on Racism: Seeing Today’s Realities (2004).
• Brothers and Sisters to Us, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Pastoral Letter on Racism (1979).
• “Contribution to World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance,” Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace (September 2001).

Articles/Addresses:

• “Call to Christian Commitment and Action to Combat Racism,” Churches Uniting in Christ.

Dates to Note

Martin Luther King Junior Day is observed annually on the third Monday of January. His birthday was January 15.

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