Building a Culture of Compassion

Why does it seem as though we’ve hit a plateau? While pockets of de jure prejudice continue to exist, most bigotry today manifests itself through individual actions that can’t simply be legislated away. If we are to truly put racism, sexism, homophobia and other forms of prejudice behind us, we will need a more holistic approach to tackle the myriad subtle problems that defy traditional forms of activism. If we are to move forward as a civilization, we must look to build an entirely new culture that places the worth, dignity and well-being of each and every person at the center of public life.

Paulo Ribeiro is a Leader-in-Training with the American Ethical Union. He holds a BA from Montclair State University in Sociology and is currently enrolled in the Humanist Institute. He is a three-time recipient of the US President’s Volunteer Service Award for his work with children’s education and recreation programs.

Entry to our 100-year-old building and meeting rooms is available for most wheelchair users with prior arrangements. Please call ahead  (212-874-5210 x107) for setup of our portable system and plan to arrive one hour before start time.