During February, we celebrate Black History Month. We celebrate the accomplishments and remember the trauma faced by the Black community here in the United States. This year, it brought to mind my journey as a member of Pax Christi USA. In 1999 or 2000, Pax Christi USA advertised among the membership for members for a new initiative called Brothers & Sisters All, now known as the Pax Christi Anti-Racism Team. The bishop I worked for at that time passed that information on to me and encouraged me to apply. The initial two gatherings were a five-day training event. I was one of a few who were not members of Pax Christi. However, the members were very welcoming and supportive, very open to adding more People of Color to the membership. Because of this, I decided to become a member of this organization.

Over the past 20 years, I have been pleasantly surprised by the welcoming nature of Pax Christi USA. We have slowly inched towards an anti-racist, multicultural organization. I am impressed with the willingness of the White membership to continue to address their White privilege, White guilt, and White fragility, along with their desire to talk about how IRS (internalized racial superiority) causes IRO (internalized racial oppression).