By Dr. Gail C. Christopher
Nine years ago, the National Day of Racial Healing (NDORH) was launched as an annual observance dedicated to promoting equitable communities and fostering truth-telling, understanding, and collaboration to envision and create a future in which racism – the belief in a false hierarchy of human value, no longer defines our society. This transformative day allows communities, organizations, and individuals to engage in discussions and actions that pave the way for healing and transformation. It inspires people to build stronger relationships across different racial and cultural backgrounds, laying the foundation for a more inclusive and just society. We want to reflect on the shared humanity that unites us all and work towards dismantling systemic inequalities.
Individuals and organizations are encouraged to participate in activities promoting racial healing, such as community conversations, film screenings, art exhibits, workshops, and more. The day creates spaces for us to acknowledge our biases and privilege, educate ourselves on the impacts of racism, and plan actions to create a more inclusive world. It’s through our collective engagement that we can truly make a difference.
Today, I think about a man who embodied the meaning of NDORH. During his lifetime, former President Jimmy Carter transformed from the grandson of a Deep South plantation owner, overcoming his interpersonal prejudice and bias, to champion human rights, civil rights, and diversity. Carter’s father was a segregationist who employed Black families as tenant farm-