The Allender Center’s Statement on Racial Trauma

George Floyd. Ahmaud Arbery. Breonna Taylor. Tony McDade. The list of Black men, women, and children killed in our nation’s history stretches far, far beyond these four names. We are outraged and acknowledge that individually and collectively, those of us steeped in the privilege of whiteness have too often been complacent and remain complicit in a system that depends on presumptions of not being racist to uphold its power.  

As we at the Allender Center know, both personal and intergenerational trauma lingers in the body for a lifetime. Addressing racial trauma involves both bearing witness with one another and coming alongside to contend with the very systems and people that perpetuate this trauma.

As a team, we are taking steps to actively engage and address our own embedded structures of white supremacy and racial injustice. We will also have resources and conversations coming soon on our podcast and blog to amplify diverse leaders, healers, educators, practitioners, and theologians from whom we are listening and learning. We are committed to repentance and action and invite all to join us in this work of mutual transformation. 

Dr. J. Derek McNeil, the president of our institutional home, The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology, recently wrote, “May we be people of faith who do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God. May our prayers not only be words—may our prayers move into our hands and feet in service to our neighbor. May our cries for justice extend into our relationships and the fabric of our communities.” 

Justice and peace,

The Allender Center Executive Leadership Team