BACKGROUND:
INSTITUTES FOUNDED IN 1989
HEALING RACISM IN AMERICA
A prescription for the disease/by Nathan Rutstein
Establishing an Institute for the Healing of Racism
In Coordination with Cherry Steinwender (Center for the
Healing of Racism/Houston Texas) National Resource Center for
the Healing of Racism
Mission
An Institute for the Healing of Racism is founded in the belief that
racism is the most powerful and persistent obstacle to the attainment
of a just and peaceful society. An Institute recognizes the essential
oneness of the human race; that all human beings share common ancestors;
and that all of us share the responsibility to realize in our personal
and social lives the oneness of humanity.
An Institute seeks to create an environment in which men and women
of all races can address each other in a spirit of open and honest
discussion, free of blame and victimization. The principle of trusting
consultation, grounded in the belief that truth lies not in the individual
perspective, but in the unity of diverse souls, is funda mental to
every aspect of an Institute.
An Institute recognizes that racism is, above all else, a social
and spiritual disease, a disease woven into the moral and spiritual
fiber of society. It is born of ignorance and fear, which feed upon
each other in a monstrous cycle. That of which we are ignorant becomes
a source of fear. Fear itself breeds greater ignorance, which further
magnifies fear, and so on.
The hope of breaking this cycle lies in the recognition that racism
is a disease which takes little account of laws and statutes, but
which reaches deep into the individual heart and mind. It is felt
that only through addressing racism in our own hearts can men and
women of all races generate a compelling power to eradicate this pernicious
dlsease which so cripples our nation and retards its progress toward
true peace and justice.
Purpose
To accomplish its mission, anInstitute must foster an understanding
of how it affects all people. An nstitute is based on the notion that
whites suffer from an inherent and at times subconscious feeling of
superiority, and that ceaseless exertions are required to over come
this attitude. In turn, the suspicion harbored by people of color,
resulting from a legacy of oppression, must also be addressed. An
Institute faces these challenges in a sensitive and non-threatening
manner.
Honest and frank dialogue involving all races must occur so that
individuals may help heal each other. In the process, mutualunder
standing develops, which evolves into genuine and sincere friendship
and love
An Institute for the Healing of Racism has two major purposes
1. To help individuals heal their disease or wound, and
2. To become a center for social action, whose aim is to foster racial
unity within the community.
How an Institute Functions
The purposes of an Institute are ultimately inseparable.Neither can
operate as a complete remedy, for the wisdom gained through personal
reflection must be coupled with action in order to have useful results.
At the same time, becoming involved in social action without embracing
the therapeutic process could be irresponsible.
Since denial is a major obstacle, participants in an Institute begin
with group discussions designed to help identify and understand how
racism is manifested and how it impacts all levels of society. With
this knowledge, participants become motivated to rid them~ selves
of the main elements responsible for perpetuating the disease and
retarding the healing of the wound. They become ready to attack the
problem.
In a trusting atmosphere, individuals do not hesitate to share their
true feelings. They feel comfortable, as their views are shared, not
as a form of confession, but with the realization that they are afflicted
with a disease or a wound and want to become better.
In this trusting and helping atmosphere, it is easy to recognize
that an Institute provides women and men with an opportunity to make
a sincere attempt to cure their sickness or heal their wound. The
sharing is not only a way to relieve inner pain, it is also an appeal
for help. When people of color reveal what it is like to be patronized
or rejected because of skin color - treatment which in turn fuels
deepseated suspicion - whites gain valuable insights into the ugly
effects of the disease. Conversely, when whites openly describe their
struggle to conquer feelings of superiority, people of color observe
a meaningful effort to deal with deeply-ingrained emotions. Members
of all races respond to each other with appropriate compassion and
support, founded upon unconditional love. In this way, an Institute
fosters a real attempt to destroy the root of a serious, pernicious
social ill.
When genuine friendships are forged in this manner, the group evolves
into a dependable force for social action. Armed with the knowledge
of how hurtful racism is to a person and a community, members of the
Institute become highly motivated to work to foster racial unity.
Many Institutes involve themselves by promoting their principles through
working with their local school systems. Others may choose another
means of action for promoting social action. The key is that the Institute
has galvanized its members into taking concrete action.
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