Racial Justice and Building Peace in the United States

Conflict and violence are on the rise in the United States. Black Americans and people of color continue to bear the brunt of this violence and injustice. The historical impact of slavery, genocide, racist policies, police brutality, and the unconscious and conscious biases toward Black Americans and people of color has contributed to the pain felt by many in the U.S. Structural racism has compiled, compounded, and adapted in various institutions and policies to benefit white Americans while also making it difficult for many Black Americans and people of color to survive and advance in society. Among the most visible are the financial, judicial, housing, immigration and education systems, which have not only allowed white Americans to retain a higher socioeconomic status but also shut out Black Americans and people of color from participating in the democratic processes offered by the U.S

But the news is not all bad. In response to deepening political polarization and racial division, as well as the pandemic and increasing income inequality, local communities across the U.S. are leading movements, such as Black Lives Matter, or are unified by its rallying cry to address the root causes of the violence they are experiencing.

Peace Direct, The Bail Project, Activate Labs, +Peace, and The Mary Hoch Center for Reconciliation invited local activists, changemakers, organizers, healers, and peacebuilders to a conversation on racism and justice in the United States. This report presents the key findings and recommendations developed from the consultation. Participants could remain anonymous in the forum and this report.
Full report