Jeannine Vogel compares recognizing one s white privilege to realizing you have a virus that needs attention. It s like a virus or condition and you didn t know you had it, said Vogel, a Dayton resident
who facilitates a training
called Is White Privilege Real? A Discussion on Race.
Then you realize, Oh, I have it, how do I treat this? How do I become aware? How can I act counter to this?
The three-part series is meant to help white people recognize their inherent privilege, take action to change it, and become allies in helping to end racism. It is being hosted by the Ohio Council of Churches, a Columbus-based ecumenical group of 17 statewide Christian denominations, via Zoom, from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Jan. 23, and continues for those same hours on Jan. 30 and Feb. 6.
When asked about his predecessors speaking about the importance of racial justice, Columbus Catholic Bishop Robert J. Brennan referred to a statement made more than 20 years ago.
Brennan, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Columbus 12th bishop, has been outspoken of late on the topic of racial injustice, especially when it comes to police shootings of Black men. There are community issues that need a moral voice, Brennan said. We want to proclaim the good news, the joy of the gospel. We want to bring that to everyday situations.
Brennan is breaking precedent by releasing public statements on the topic in Columbus, though bishops in other dioceses have long spoken on the issue, as have bishops as a group through the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.