Assembly Statement Against White Supremacy

The Sisters of Saint Dominic of Blauvelt, New York

Assembly Statement Against White Supremacy

The Sisters of Saint Dominic of Blauvelt, NY acknowledge and condemn the growing and dangerous reality of White Supremacy in the United States.

White Supremacy often refers to extremist groups like the KKK, neo-Nazis, and the white supremacist groups once again visible in our country. A broader definition of white supremacy refers to a political, social, and economic system in which white people enjoy structural advantages and rights that other racial and ethnic groups do not. White supremacy in the United States has led to racially-based murders and has fueled many incidents of violence including the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on Jan 6, 2021.

White Privilege is a result of living in a white supremacist culture. According to Robin Di Angelo, no matter how well-intentioned you are, if you are white, you benefit from a system that automatically confers an advantage to you, regardless of your belief or agreement, or intentions. “White privilege is an automatic outcome of white supremacy and systemic racism.”

“White Privilege refers to the unquestioned and unearned set of advantages, entitlements, benefits, and choices bestowed on people solely because they are white. Generally, white people who experience such privilege do so without being conscious of it.” (Peggy McIntosh)

Living in a white supremacist environment is like fish swimming in water that they are not able to see. Until we awaken and become conscious, we do not see the white supremacy we are living in. The invisibility of white supremacy contributes to its success.

White supremacy is at the root of the social, economic, and political systems that collectively enable white people to maintain power over people of color, which includes Indigenous, Asian, Black, and Brown people. These injustices create and sustain racially motivated violence, poverty, and voter suppression which disenfranchises people from political power.

As a congregation with membership in The Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) we support their statement condemning racism in all its harmful forms. With the LCWR, we mourn with all who have lost loved ones, with all who live in fear, with all whose dignity is threatened by racist hate and violence. “We acknowledge our own complicity in institutional racism. We commit ourselves to cleanse our hearts and our land of this evil. We promise to pray for our country and to continue to use our voice and our energy to build God’s beloved community where all are one in Christ Jesus.” (LCWR Condemns Racism in All Forms | LCWR)

We, the Sisters of St. Dominic of Blauvelt, NY, are continually challenged by the teaching of Jesus to love one another: "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:35)

Our growing awareness of the reality of white supremacy, our belief in the oneness of all of creation and the equality of all people, and our desire to live the gospel call to love calls us to unconditionally condemn White Supremacy.