Servite Fr. Joseph Cheah is hopeful that telling Asian American-centered stories will help communities and individuals begin to understand the ways in which racism and white supremacy have shaped history. In his latest book, Anti-Asian Racism: Myths, Stereotypes, and Catholic Social Teaching, Cheah takes a wide and integral view on how Catholic social teaching can inform the way Catholics engage in the work of anti-racism in the context of Asian American communities.
In a recent interview for NCR, writer Clarissa V. Aljentera spoke with Cheah about his research and writings. The interview has been edited for length and clarity.
NCR: The intersection of anti-Asian racism and Catholic social teaching is important to note, especially considering that the principles of Catholic social teaching don't explicitly name racism. How important was it for you to tell the story of racism from the lens of an Asian American?
Cheah: While Catholic social teaching doesn't explicitly name racism, it talks a great deal about the dignity of the human person and the church has the responsibility to protect the dignity of the human person through social ministry. It does that by surrounding each person with human rights and human responsibility. Each person has a right to live in an anti-racist society where the dignity of the human person is accepted and respected. Likewise, each person has an obligation to educate themselves, to examine their own thoughts and actions.
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