Doesn't talking about race just make it worse?
As a Caucasian, being called a racist is like a punch to a stomach. Solidarity realizes that virtually no one at Wheaton College is a racist but rather that we exist in a society that perpetuates a systemic racism. Once we come to this realization then the discussion about racism is not full of accusations and guilt but rather it can be full of hope and realizations about the systemic racism of the American society.
What is racial reconciliation?
Racial reconciliation consists of several things. It first recognizes that there are systemic inequalities and believes that all parties involved need to recognize these systemic inequalities. Racial reconciliation then seeks to move beyond this stage and engage in society. The race that has the upper hand simply cannot use their advantage to aid the other races because that will only perpetuate the system. Rather, innovative methods need to be applied to turn the system upside down and give equality to all parties involved.
What are these innovative methods?
Good question. We are still on the journey to finding these methods, but we have found some. Please join us in the conversation and add to our ideas.
Isn't this just some people's problem?
We could easily believe this if we failed to see the widespread systemic racism that is blind to the individuals (within the affected race) it affects. However, recognizing that it is a systemic problem within our society, it is everyone's problem because it is impossible to exist without interacting in some way with our society.