Frequently Asked Questions:

What do the Institutes for the Healing of Racism do?

The Institutes for the Healing of Racism initially began in response to the need for reconciliation between the dominant White culture in the United States and the African American community. By exploring the sources of racism within the U.S. and of the personal racism, however subtle, borne by most White Americans towards persons of color. This subtle racism is carried within the dominant culture and in many cases is denied by the people who carry it. See the Dialog: Racism pages for further information on this subject.

The bringing together of people of different cultural backgrounds for an exploration of the feelings generated by the clash between the two can be a very powerful, emotional experience. Trained facilitators can guide this discussion in a manner that is both suitable and worthwhile to all those involved. The ultimate outcome would be where the Whites (or the dominant group) involved become Allies of the discriminated against persons of color (for the approach of the Institutes is suitable for any majority-minority situation where the dominant majority ignores the human needs of the minority).

What does Race Unity stand for?

There are many approaches to Race Unity. The underlying theme is that of bringing about Martin Luther King, Jr.’s dream – where the content of a man’s character will mean more than the color of his skin. One approach is that of the Institutes for the Healing of Racism.

Another is that of the Color Me Human projects. Color Me Human seeks, through community-wide grass-roots efforts, to affirm through action that:

• we are all born free of racism
• we are inherently good, noble people
• we are born open, responsive, clear thinking, seeking knowledge and connection with others
• we are part of one human family biologically, environmentally, and spiritually
• we are each born with the capacity to heal the hurts that come our way and to turn all our experiences into opportunities for growth.

Other groups, with different names, also exist to accomplish the same goals.

Many people active in these two groups are Bahá’ís. Bahá’ís believe in the equality of the races. That God created us all from the same dust and does not wish one group to dominate another.

What can an interested person do to help?

Join, support, learn.

• Join a group supporting these goals in your area.
• Support that group emotionally, intellectually, financially, and with action.
• Learn everything you can about the experiences of non-majority persons in your part of the world. What is the reality of the myths surrounding them. Learn about the privileges of your own dominant culture. In the U.S. this is called White Privilege.

John MacCord, 12 June 1999