Definitions FOR THE RACE & CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY INITIATIVE 

Racial Prejudice: A preconceived judgment about someone based on the color of their skin. These pre-judgments often, but don't always, convey negative sentiments.

Racism: A complex system of beliefs and practices that operate when prejudices are imbued with power and function to give power to White people and limit the power of people of color. 

To learn more about racism, visit RCCI’s glossary entry on racism.

Reconciliation: "Reconciliation is an ongoing spiritual process involving forgiveness, repentance, and justice that restores broken relationships and systems to reflect God's original intention for all creation to flourish" (Roadmap to Reconciliation, 22). Read more about racial reconciliation in our glossary post or FAQ.

White People: Light-skinned people of Euro-American descent who are given the power and privileges associated with the dominant racial class in the US.