A call to discussion and action, to work for racial justice and equity…

Eatontown, NJ — On June 25, 2020, the Lasallian Association of Colleges and Universities (LACU) with support from the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools through the Lasallian Region of North America (RELAN) and its Districts of Eastern North America, Midwest, and San Francisco New Orleans will host Responding to Racism: A Lasallian Dialogue.

The virtual panel discussion is an initiative of the six Lasallian colleges and universities throughout RELAN: Christian Brothers University, Lewis University, Saint Mary’s College of California, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, and our La Salle University and Manhattan College. Continuing the work of the annual Lasallian Higher Education Colloquies on Racial Justice, which started in 2017, and in light of the national and international dialogue taking place now on the sin of racism following the killing of George Floyd, LACU invites the Lasallian and Catholic family to come together for discussion and action, to work for racial justice and equity.

To learn more and to register for this presentation on June 25, starting at 3:00 p.m. EDT, visit our event page.

This is the largest collaboration of its kind between LACU, RELAN through its Office for Lasallian Education at Christian Brothers Conference, and the District of Eastern North America, Christian Brothers of the Midwest, and the District of San Francisco New Orleans.

Responding to Racism: A Lasallian Dialogue is not only a direct initiative in how we as Lasallians can act in response to systemic racism, but also fulfills the mission objectives set by the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools 45th General Chapter. The General Chapter, convened every seven years, sets the direction of the Lasallian educational mission worldwide. The Chapter affirmed that higher education “has a significant role to play for the Institute, society, and the Church” in providing “the tools to improve the quality of life of men and women today, particularly the poor” and “opportunities for dialogue between culture and faith.” Among other initiatives, it called upon colleges and universities in our global network to:

  • Bring about greater mission effectiveness in Lasallian universities in coordination with the Districts and [Colleges and Universities] in terms of Lasallian charism, and stewardship of financial, material and human resources in aid of the Lasallian mission. (Circular 469, 3.22)
  • Develop mutually beneficial projects between institutions of higher education and their District. (Circular 469, 3.22)

This livestream dialogue is one more step in the collective efforts of the Lasallian Association of Colleges and Universities (LACU) together with the Institute in being faithful to our Lasallian educational mission to discover the root causes of poverty and, with great determination, promote justice and human dignity. (Rule of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, 16.1)