Mindfulness for Racial Justice

people marching in the streets, one carrying a sign that says I Can't Breathe

Note: This article arose from a conversation with Rhonda Magee, a law professor and mindfulness teacher and the author of The Inner Work of Racial Justice: Healing Ourselves and Transforming Our Communities through Mindfulness. Magee writes about the importance of mindfulness for people working toward racial justice. We encourage all readers to check out Magee's writings to see how her work resonates for you.


headshot of Rhonda Magee
Rhonda Magee, MA, JD

Many people are just now waking up to the reality of racial inequity in America - a reality that has long been the lived experience of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). While people may feel moved to do something, we may also feel helpless: How can we help fix a systemic problem that is so complex and pervasive?

Law professor, mindfulness teacher, and social justice advocate Rhonda Magee believes that we start by cultivating mindfulness, what she calls “The Inner Work of Racial Justice.” In an interview with Taking Charge, Professor Magee discussed the systemic inequalities that have contributed to deep societal unrest and explained how developing a strong mindfulness practice can help us do the inner work we need to make changes that will impact not just ourselves, but the collective society.