OPEN WIDE OUR HEARTS
The enduring call to love a portion of the pastoral letter against racism by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
 
What is Racism?
Racism arises when either consciously or unconsciously – a person holds that his or her own race or ethnicity is superior, and therefore, judges persons of other races or ethnicities as inferior. When this conviction leads individuals to exclude, ridicule, mistreat or unjustly discriminate against persons based on race or ethnicity it is sinful. Racism occurs because a person ignores the fundamental truth that, because all humans share a common origin, they are all brothers and sisters, all equally made in the image of God.
 
Do Justice
For a nation to be just, it must be a society that recognizes and respects the legitimate rights of individuals and peoples. We are reminded of this fundamental truth in the earliest passages of the book of Genesis;
 
As Christians, we are called to listen and know the stories of our brothers and sisters. We must listen with open hearts to the tragic stories that are deeply imprinted on the lives of our brothers and sisters if we are to be moved with empathy to promote justice.
 
The Native American Experience
Before Europeans arrived, this land already had many diverse people upon it with varying customs, languages and beliefs.
 
Many European settlers were blind to the dignity of indigenous peoples. Colonial and U.S. policies toward Native American communities were often violent and were directly toward the theft of their land. During this time there were missions that stood as a barrier to this abuse and provided a form of protection in a rapidly changing reality.
 
The effects are still visible in Native American communities today – poverty, unemployment, inadequate health care and disputes over land ownership are all factors that cannot or should not be ignored.
 
The African American Experience
As this country was forming, Africans were bought and sold as mere property. The injustices of slavery lasted for generations. After slavery ended many former slaves faced continued servitude and encountered new forms of resentment. In freedom many lived in constant fear for their lives. Efforts to advance out of poverty met fierce resistance throughout the country.
 
The right to participate in the political process would be withheld or hindered for another century. While it is true that some individuals and families have thrived, significant numbers of African Americans are born into economic and social disparity. This is a reality that must be fully recognized and addressed in any process that hopes to combat racism.
 
The Hispanic Experience
Of course, experiencing racism is not limited African Americans. At this time we would be remiss not to highlight the experience of Hispanics in our country. They too, from various countries have experienced discrimination in housing, employment and education. Despite their sizable share of the workforce and their contributions to the U.S. economy the large income gap between Hispanics and European Americans points to the persistence of discriminatory practices in employment and pay. Hispanics are the major target of immigration raids and deportation. Many are assumed to be in this country illegally. After all a large part of our nation consists of immigrants and their descendants.
 
Love Goodness
Most people would not consider themselves to be racist. A person might admit to being prejudiced, but certainly not racist. As Christians we know it is our duty to love others. St. Paul reminds us that we live by the Spirit is the “fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Gal 5 22:23)  Love is at the heart of the Christian life.
 
The Urgent Call of Love
Love comes each of us to resist racism courageously. To assist in the conversion of those who still harbor racism. Our faith gives us a treasury of inspiring holy men and women who showed us the way.
 
Working in Our Churches
Of course, racism will not end overnight. Still we instruct all the faithful to endeavor to be missionary disciples carrying forth the message of fraternal charity and human dignity.
 
As in all things, we turn to prayer, asking our Blessed Mother to intercede on our behalf:
 
Mary, friend and mother to all, through your Son, God has found a way to unite himself to every human being called to be one people, sisters and brothers to each other.
 
We ask for your help in calling on your Son, seeking forgiveness for the times when we have failed to love and respect one another.
 
We ask for your help in obtaining from your Son the grace we need to overcome the evil of racism and build a just society.
 
We ask for your help in following your Son, so that prejudice and animosity will no longer infect our minds or hearts, but will be placed with a love that respects the dignity of each person.
 
Mother of the Church, the Spirit of your Son Jesus warms our hearts; pray for us.