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7th annual National Day of Racial Healing observed today

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by Lacey Alexander • Published on • Comments
State Rep. John Hines Sr., D-Greenville, argues against legislation that would limit how race can be taught in schools and universities, Thursday, March 3, 2022, in the House Chamber at the Mississippi Capitol in Jackson. Black lawmakers raised concerns that if the bill becomes law, it would stifle honest lessons about racism. The white lawmaker who explained the bill said repeatedly that it would not prevent the teaching of history, but would only prevent teaching that any person is superior or inferior because of race, sex or national origin.
AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis
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Today is the National Day of Racial Healing, a day celebrated on the Tuesday after Martin Luther King Jr. Day each year.

Lacey Alexander

7th annual National Day of Racial Healing observed today

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The W.K. Kellogg Foundation founded the holiday in 2017 as part of its efforts to open and encourage discussion about racism and reconciliation. Now in its 7th year, the day is intended to be used as a time to bring people of all races together to heal from and confront systemic racism.

Rhea Williams-Bishop is the director of programming for the W.K. Kellogg Foundation in Mississippi. She says cooperation and input from multiple races is necessary for racial healing.

"Racial healing is within our reach," she said. "It's up to all of us. Everyone has a role to play in racial healing."

Entities like the Alluvial Collective, formerly the William Winter Institute for Racial Conciliation, make eradicating racial inequity their mission every day. Executive director Von Gordon says that causes like racial healing are made easier when children are educated on accurate history.

"If we together can elevate our conversations about education and history... we'll be so much better off." he said. "I am encouraged about Mississippi and the fact that we can get these things right."

There are three registered events recognizing the Day of Racial Healing in Mississippi.