The following is excerpted from the Church News. To read the full article, CLICK HERE.
The newly formed Brigham Young University Committee on Race, Equity & Belonging is emphasizing its commitment to “review processes, [policies] and organizational attitudes regarding racism.”
In its recently released “Purpose and Mission Statement” the committee declared: “Rooting out racism, healing its wounds and building bridges of understanding is the responsibility of every member of the BYU community.
“That effort begins with understanding and living the two greatest commandments given to us by the Master Healer, Jesus Christ: to love God with all our hearts and to love our neighbors as ourselves (see Matthew 22:35–39).”
The committee — consisting of school administrators, professors and a coach — was organized last month at the request of BYU President Kevin J Worthen and is under the direction of Academic Vice President Shane Reese to examine issues of race and inequality at the Church-owned school and provide recommendations on addressing such issues.
In its statement, the committee outlined its plans to “enhance belonging at BYU” by:
- “Listening to our beloved Black BYU community to understand how racism has frustrated, and continues to frustrate their experiences at BYU;
- “Inviting the input of all of our beloved Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) at BYU as well as those committed to ridding BYU of racism through the establishment of racial equity and belonging;
- “Conducting a thorough quantitative and qualitative review of how processes, policies, practices, procedures, operations and attitudes impact our BIPOC communities at BYU;
To read the rest of their planned approach, CLICK HERE.