The Racial Healing Circles

St. Joe’s offered a five-week Racial Healing Circle utilizing the peacemaking circle process. This was a different way of talking about race and racism that is safe, preemptive and proactive; a way that was aimed at building strong relationships capable of holding the needed healing dialogues around race and racism. Each session was themed to give focus and attention to various aspects for racial healing (e.g., racial identity development, impacts of race and racism, implicit/unconscious racial bias, understanding racial privilege, and racial reconciliation). Racial healing has been described as a way of healing from the cumulative effects of racism —individual and societal— most likely caused by racial mis-education, separation, and disunity.  This series culminated with various groups within the Parish developing action items to continue their work for racial justice throughout the St. Joseph Parish community.  The process was facilitated by Dr. Pamela Taylor, a professor in the School of Education at Seattle University.  For more information contact Dr. Taylor at [email protected]