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Academy Public Statements

The Academy and Racial Justice: Where do we stand?

At a recent retreat, the leadership of the Academy reflected on the mandates for racial justice in the Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions and how to put them into practice in the current historical context. The event featured guest speaker Reverend Dr. Arthur Cribbs.

Read the Statement adopted by the Academy

Racial Justice statement (PDF)

Leadership Retreat: The Ongoing Struggle for Equality

An older black man with white hard stands in front of a stone wall wearing a brown sweater. His arms are folded in front of his chest.
Reverend Dr. Arthur Cribbs

In his presentation, Dr. Cribbs emphasized that the struggle for equal rights for African Americans is not merely a past chapter in the history of the United States but a present reality. The denial of equal rights for African Americans, of course, goes back to the founding of this nation and the practice of chattel slavery. 

To root out the systemic racism still embedded in many of our institutions and cultural practices requires a reckoning with this past, including an honest acknowledgement of the enabling function of religion in the oppression of African-Americans. The Jewish, Christian, and Muslim traditions are at the same time deep wells of liberating wisdom, each in its unique way condemning oppression and mandating respect for the dignity of every human being.

Dr. Cribbs served as the pastor of Los Angeles Filipino American United Church Of Christ. He was an ethics instructor for the California Department of Justice Peace Officer Standards and Training. He is the Executive Director Emeritus of Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity (California) and has an extensive background and recognition in the areas of journalism, broadcast news, and talk radio.

Reflection Papers

Read the incisive reflection papers by our youngest board members

Photo by Mike Labrum on Unsplash

Statement on the Violent Crisis in the Holy Land

In these trying times, we strive to adhere to the common teachings of the Jewish, Christian, and Muslim traditions, tirelessly praying, hoping, and working for peace in the Holy
Female protest marcher holding up a sign written in Hebrew. Behind her is someone holding up a sign that says We Demand Justice.

In the Image of God

The author argues for the need of active anti-racist engagement by the Jewish community today based on readings of the
Protesters at a Black Lives Matter march for racial justice.

Christianity and Racial Justice

The paper postulates an unequivocal mandate for Christians to actively work for racial equality, derived from the teachings of
A Muslim woman in a sweatshirt, head scarf, and COVID mask sits outside on a cement barrier with her son. Both have an arm raised in defiance as they protest.

Islam and Racial Justice

The paper explores the teachings of the Qur’an and the Islamic tradition on relations between different cultural and ethnic