We violate God's intention by constructing categories of value and identity which divide people into groups based on physical appearance, skin color, ancestral heritage and cultural affiliation. These categories become the basis of a race-based system which benefits some while oppressing others. Children and youth around the world grow up in an atmosphere of racism that lies deeply imbedded in social structures. The United States is no exception. While much good and important work has been done to eliminate racism, it persists here.
People of color tend to have less adequate access to health insurance and healthcare than whites.
Infant mortality rates are 2.5 times higher for blacks than for whites and 1.5 times higher for Native Americans than for whites. Communities of people of color frequently bear a disproportionate share of adverse environmental burdens, such as nearby landfills. Immigrants often encounter discrimination in employment, housing and education. Professional sports teams, colleges and high schools use caricatures of Native Americans as mascots. People of color are disproportionately at the bottom of the income distribution curve.