Winnerofa2022AssociationofCatholicPublishersExcellenceinPublishingAward:GeneralInterest(ThirdPlace).Growingup,Fr.DanielP.Horan,O.F.M.,neverthoughtmuchaboutrace,racism,orracialjusticeexceptforwhathereadinhistorybooks.Hisupbringingasawhite,middle-classCatholicshieldedhimfromseeingthepersistent,pervasiveracismallaroundhim.HoranshareswhathehassincelearnedaboutuncoveringandcombattingracialinequityinournationandinourChurch,urgingustojointhefight.Inthespringandsummerof2020,UScitieseruptedinprotestsandracialtensionsranhighfollowingseveralhigh-profilekillingsofBlackwomenandmenatthehandsofwhitepoliceofficers.AsAmericawatchedandlistened,manyofusbecamedislodgedfromourcomfortableassumptionsaboutrace.Horanrecognizedthisunnervingdynamicasadoorwaytotheawakeningandspiritualconversionhehasbeenundergoingformuchofhisadultlife.InAWhiteCatholic’sGuidetoRacismandPrivilege,Horanspeakspropheticallytowhathasbecomeagnawinguneaseforsomany.Withcandidcritiqueandreflection,Horanhelpsusmakessenseofcrucialissuessuchas:Thedifferencebetweenwhatsociologistscallcommon-senseracismandsystemicracism.Whatismeantbywhiteprivilegeandhowiscontributestoracialinjustices.TheCatholicChurch’steachingsaboutracism,howthosecanstillbedeveloped,andwhatthoseteachingsrequireofus.Combattingracisminoureverydaylives.Asawhiteman,HoranshowshisfellowwhiteCatholicshowtobecomeactivelyanti-racistandbetteralliestoourBlackbrothersandsistersasweworkagainstracisminourcultureandintheChurch.HeoffersusthehopeandsuretyoftheGospel,thewisdomofCatholictradition,andsomepracticalwaystoeducateourselvesandadvocateforjustice.Eachchapterincludesasubstantialsuggested-readinglist.Thisbookisperfectforindividualorgroupstudy.
