On January 19, we recognize the work libraries have started to do, and what so many individuals and organizations have been doing for many years, with the National Day of Racial Healing.
What is the National Day of Racial Healing?
Established in 2017 by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, it’s a day to focus on key aspects of race, identity, and community and how damage caused by racist actions, systems, and behaviors can be acknowledged and begun to be reconciled. This includes:
- Reinforcing and honoring our common humanity, while noting and celebrating the distinct differences of our various communities.
- Acknowledging the deep racial divisions in the United States that must be addressed and healed.
- Committing to engaging people from all racial and ethnic groups in genuine efforts to increase understanding, communication, empathy, positivity, action and respect.
It’s also a time to ask honest questions, deepen conversations, and practice respectful listening.
- What actions have you taken to explore your unconscious bias?
- How often/deeply do you interact with people of a different racial/ethnic identity other than your own? What is the nature of these relationships and interactions?
- Have you ever witnessed someone being treated unfairly because of their race or ethnicity ? If so, how did you respond? How did it make you feel? What would you do differently today?
Here are some resources that have been helping us on our journey, including local organizations that have long been doing racial healing work. #LibrariesRespond #HowWeHeal #NDORH
National Day of Racial Healing Booklists
A selection of books available from the library which explore racial healing and the history of systematic exclusion and its effects on IBPOC (Indigenous, Black, People of Color) communities. Get instant access with a free virtual library card!