Center for the Healing of Racism

A catalyst for the healing of racism through the education and empowerment of individuals since 1989

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Purpose and Goals

The Center for the Healing of Racism recognizes and acknowledges the essential oneness of the human race. Its tenets are:

that racism, as a disease woven into the moral and spiritual fiber of American society, obscures the possibility of establishing the reality of that oneness;
that racism violates the dignity of humankind, retards the unfoldment of the potentialities of its victims, corrupts its perpetrators and blights human progress; that the patterns of thinking and behaving which constitute racism have been learned;
that racism is marked by an imbalance in economic, political and social power in favor of some racial, ethnic and cultural groups at the expense of others;
that an increase in awareness of the development and perpetuation of racism will lead to its elimination and the development of a just and peaceful world; and
that the struggle against racism must, first and foremost, be waged in the heart

The Center has established the following goals:

To create for all people a safe environment in which to explore the issues of racism and its social, motional and spiritual repercussions.
To recognize racism in its various manifestations, including the most blatant forms of bigotry to its most subtle, unaware and sometimes passive forms.
To examine attitudes, assumptions, feelings and beliefs about people of color and their cultures and to identify methods by which society has conditioned both whites and people of color with misinformation.
To assist European Americans to discover how racism has affected their lives, to become sensitized to the experiences of people of color, to unlearn racist patterns, and to empower themselves to interrupt racist remarks and attitudes.
To provide an accepting and supportive atmosphere for people of color to heal the hurts they have suffered as a result of the oppression of racism.
To make available educational opportunities for people of all ages to obtain accurate information about the history and rich heritage of people of color.
To build coalitions and associations with other groups and individuals who share a commitment to racial justice.

History of the Center for Healing Racism

The text of Jackie Newberry's speech at the Center's 2002 Juneteenth event

The enter for the Healing of Racism is a grassroots organization. In the early summer of 1989, an ethnically diverse group of individuals began to meet together around the topic of racism to examine the role it had played in their lives, and the pain they had suffered and witnessed. The emphasis was on personal growth and healing, and finding ways to work proactively to eliminate racism by spreading understanding of the principle that it violates—the oneness of humanity. Other persons joined the group, and members became involved in studying and equipping themselves with the knowledge and skills necessary to reach out to the wider community. To this end weekend workshops were sponsored.

As a consequence of these early efforts the Center for the Healing of Racism was established. The Center's Articles of Incorporation were approved by the State of Texas on November 17, 1992. The organization is governed by a board of directors and its program is managed by an experienced directors.

Purpose and Goals

With the avowed purpose of healing racism, the Center established the goals that would guide this achievement. These goals call for the creation of a safe and accepting environment in which people can explore issues of racism, recognize manifestations of racism, examine assumptions and beliefs about racism, understand the impact of racism on themselves and others, and receive the support and encouragement to begin the healing process. In addition, the Center recognizes the benefits derived from active coalition building with other groups and associations that share a commitment to racial justice.