Who are we?
As Focolare, as community, and as family, one of our particular artistic tools - the art of dialogue - sparked a small group of us, as a response to the pandemic of systemic racism, white supremacy, and racial injustice, to provide recognition and brave space for People of Color and all who feel marginalized within the Focolare Movement and in society at large for open, honest discussion on race. Sharing painful experiences of injustice and disparities, and to be heard. Creating a forum for self-examination and awareness contributing to an anti-racist society.
What do we want to do?
Dialogue is only the first step; we are committed to deepening relationships, building trust, and working together to build a more just and equitable world for all. Understanding that it would require uncomfortable and challenging conversations and actionable interior and exterior changes to confront and address issues of biases and racial injustices. Working together to develop initiatives that promote an anti-racist and more equitable society:
- Creating a welcoming brave space for conversation and dialogue between victims of racial injustice and those benefiting from white privilege and supremacy.
- Foster self-awareness by developing initiatives to confront and combat racial injustices.
- Supporting and creating an anti-racist community within the Focolare Movement, within our local region, and within our families.
- Confront overt and covert acts of racism.
- Develop and provide educational resources and outlets to further foster anti-racist education and self-reflection.
How do we go about doing this?
We want to turn dialogue and discussion into initiative and action. Every encounter is to be a call to action, to brainstorm concrete actions that we can take as individuals, within our families, and in our various communities:
- Create forums of dialogue to discuss racial issues and personal experiences.
- Ways to confront and subvert racism, bias, and marginalization.
- Foster and implement anti-racism initiatives and projects.
- Promote a greater culture of sharing, artistic expression, ideas, creativity to close the gap between culture, races, religions, genders, etc.