Today might be National Day of Racial Healing. Observed annually on the Tuesday following Martin Luther King Jr. Day, this day focuses on promoting racial healing and reconciliation. Established by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation in 2017, it serves as a call to action for individuals and communities to engage in truth-telling, relationship building, and transformative change. The foundation’s Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation effort aims to foster sustainable change through community-based processes. These processes empower individuals to understand their communities, build trust, and foster stronger relationships.
The National Day of Racial Healing provides a platform for open dialogue, reflection, and strategic action. It encourages individuals from diverse backgrounds to share their experiences and perspectives, fostering empathy and understanding. This aligns with core values of fostering respect for human differences and emphasizing relationship-rich education. Participating in activities related to racial healing can be particularly impactful in the current social climate.
Elon University, for example, has been observing the National Day of Racial Healing since 2022 with events like community dinners and dialogues. These events facilitate conversations about racial inequity and promote the building of stronger relationships across racial identities.
The National Day of Racial Healing offers an opportunity for individuals to reflect on the past year, regroup for the current year, and collectively work towards healing. It emphasizes the importance of building strong relationships across racial and other identity differences through reflection and storytelling. This day provides a space for individuals who have experienced racial inequity to share their truths and to strengthen relationships across all racial identities.
Events like the “How We Heal” community dinner and dialogue provide opportunities for people to connect, share their experiences, and strategize ways to build a more just and equitable society. The National Day of Racial Healing provides a dedicated time for reflection on shared values and collaborative action towards a more equitable future. It aims to unite individuals in their shared humanity and inspire action to create a more just world.
