The values that underpin our mission emerge from a spirituality that challenges us to deconstruct systems of oppression, exploitation, and dehumanization. Many of us, myself included, have failed to fully commit to making the necessary sacrifices to answer this call to transformative action. If we had, we would not still be seeing people of color murdered in the street, in their homes, or while simply out on a run.

As the theologian Monika Hellwig reminded us, by the criteria of Ignatian spirituality “radical change is not only possible but necessary, not only to be wished for but to be worked for in practical ways, not only to be an option for the remote future but a challenge in our present.”   

If all we do in our work and life simply perpetuates the status quo and fails to challenge prevailing norms, then we have failed to meet the basic criteria of our institutional mission. 

The reading this week from Fordham professor Bryan Massingale outlines the pervasive, wilful ignorance of the realities of racial injustice, particularly among white Americans, and the ways that our mission can guide our efforts to create meaningful change. We are grateful to Paul Schutz, assistant Professor in Religious Studies, for his introductory reflection in the video below. 

We must stand in solidarity while we actively work to change ourselves and our current reality.

Aaron Willis
Director, Bannan Forum
Ignatian Center for Jesuit Education

Santa Clara University Racial Justice Resources
An evolving collection of resources to facilitate learning, taking action, and ways to stand in solidarity from the Santa Clara community

Ignatian Solidarity Network Racial Justice Resources
A constantly updated collection of Igantian and Catholic resources on racial justice