Introduction

What difference has it made that for two decades the Dominican Sisters of Springfield have been working to dismantle systems that perpetuate racism? In this episode, we talk with two founders of SDART—that's the Springfield Dominican Antiracism Team—about why they persist in their efforts, what difference it's made and why their work is still necessary today. 

About our guests

Carol Lanier taught history and biology for almost 30 years at the Springfield Dominican-sponsored Marian Catholic High School, Chicago Heights, Illinois. She is a founding member of SDART whose passion for the mission of antiracism has never waned.  

Sister Marcelline Koch, OP, has facilitated justice efforts for the Dominican Sisters for more than 40 years. She currently serves on the Board of the Springfield Coalition on Dismantling Racism and recently was co-facilitator for one of their current projects, providing antiracism training to members of the workgroups of the Sonya Massey Commission, whose mission is to expand safe and equitable access to services by addressing systemic racism and mistrust in law enforcement and other helping professions in Sangamon County. 

Our host

Sister Beth Murphy, OP, is the communications director for the Dominican Sisters of Springfield and F.L.O.W.cast producer. 

Takeaways

• Racism is a systemic issue requiring collaborative efforts to dismantle it.
• Changing racist systems in institutions is challenging, and worth the effort. 
• Antiracism is a work that is best done in community. 

More to Explore 

Link to SDART theme song, The Land of the Living by Janet Sullivan Whitaker 

Crossroads Antiracism Training 

SCoDR (Springfield Coalition on Dismantling Racism) 

SDART’s Antiracism Lens for Decision-making 

Sonya Massey Commission 

Dominican Associate Program