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Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life

June 15, 2026

250 Years Towards Racial Justice

Progress, Promise, and Challenges

As the U.S. commemorates Juneteenth, marking the end of slavery in the United States, the nation also prepares to celebrate the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4. While the Declaration of Independence states, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal,” enslavement did not end in this country until 1865, 89 years after the signing of this founding document of the U.S.

Since the first Juneteenth, significant legal and cultural changes, including the Civil Rights Act and Voting Rights Act, have sought to address lingering injustices for Black Americans and historically excluded people. And yet, in recent years, the U.S. has witnessed judicial and legislative actions that threaten civil rights, racial justice, and the pursuit of liberty for all. At this significant moment for our nation, how should we both celebrate our nation’s founding and the progress we’ve made, and still remember the history, address the pain, and act to secure justice and freedom for all Americans?

Catholic teaching tells us that racism is a sin, a national moral failure, and a fundamental test of our faith. As we celebrate Juneteenth and our nation’s two hundred and fiftieth anniversary, this dialogue looked at the Voting Rights Act and its contested future – including the recent Supreme Court decision that significantly altered Section 2, and the redistricting steps some states have since moved to take – and the broader questions these developments raise about civil rights and the health of our democracy.  We also explored how diversity contributes to the strength of our universities, Church, and nation as — together — we seek to build a more perfect union. 

Kimberly Mazyck, associate director for engagement of the Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life, moderated the dialogue.

Resources

View articles, books, and other resources for this dialogue.

Recording

The dialogue starting at 12:30 p.m. EDT will be recorded and posted online for later viewing.

Participants

Bishop-elect Robert Boxie III

Bishop-elect Robert Boxie III

Bishop-elect Robert Boxie III was appointed in May by Pope Leo XIV to be a new auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Washington. He is the Catholic chaplain for Howard University and has been a priest in the Archdiocese of Washington since 2016.

Melvin Rogers

Melvin Rogers

Melvin Rogers is the Edna and Richard Salomon Distinguished Professor of​ Political Science and co-director of the Democracy Project at Brown University. He is the author of The Darkened Light of Faith: Race, Democracy, and Freedom in African American Political Thought (2023).

Diann Rust-Tierney

Diann Rust-Tierney

Diann Rust-Tierney is an associate professor of law at the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law. Prior to joining the UDC Law faculty, she served as the executive director of the Racial Justice Institute and adjunct professor at Georgetown University Law Center.