“I Can’t Breathe”: A reflection and resource for dialogue (In memory of George Floyd)
As School Sisters of Notre Dame and as the Atlantic-Midwest Province, we lament the death of Mr. George Floyd of Minneapolis, who died from inhumane and cruel treatment at the hands of local police. The cries of Mr. Floyd for mercy, and for breath, resound through our hearts, calling us yet again to repent our complicity in the scourge and sin of racism. – Province Statement
In this spirit, we invite you to read, reflect on, and engage others in conversation around our recently-developed resource in memory of George Floyd: “I Can’t Breathe.” This resource laments the tragedy of his death while offering us an opportunity to consider how white privilege intersects with the perpetuation of racism, and how recognizing this is critical to the work of dismantling racism. Please note that we are encouraging you to consider sending your responses to the resource’s reflection questions to the JPIC office aflaherty@amssnd.org. All comments will be read and considered as guidance for future JPIC resources. Please let us know if we have your permission to post your comment with your name on our province internet and/or Facebook. This is not necessary, but it allows us all to further our own thinking and reflections.
Additionally, the JPIC office has developed a series of resources that highlight the systemic inequalities that have been illuminated by the Covid-19 pandemic. The themes include race, wealth, education, and the environment, and resources are available for both the U.S. and Canada. You can find the resources here.
Human Trafficking/Haiti
June 12— World Day Against Child Labor
• Sister Ethel Howley writes, “The day aims to focus attention on the global extent of child labor and the action needed to eliminate it. Governments, employers and worker organizations, along with millions of people around the world come together to highlight the plight of child laborers, and to identify ways of changing labor practices and family incomes. Currently, the International Labor Organization (ILO) estimates there are 152 million children in child labor and 72 million of them are in hazardous work.” Click here to read her full piece.
• “Let Us Pray for Children,” a prayer by Sister Ethel Howley.
• Please click here to read Sister Arlene Flaherty’s reflection on child labor and the AMSSND collaboration with Beyond Borders in Haiti.
