Take the Birmingham Pledge

I believe that every person has worth as an individual.
I believe that every person is entitled to dignity and respect, regardless of race or color.
I believe that every thought and every act of racial prejudice is harmful; if it is my thought or act, then it is harmful to me as well as to others.
Therefore, from this day forward I will strive daily to eliminate racial prejudice from my thoughts and actions.
I will discourage racial prejudice by others at every opportunity.
I will treat all people with dignity and respect; and I will strive daily to honor this pledge, knowing that the world will be a better place because of my effort.

Sound like something you can agree to? If so, visit www.birminghampledge.org to sign the pledge, and spread the word.

It may seem like a small thing, but it is often useful to consciously recommit yourself to your goals. I am particularly moved by "I believe that every thought and every act of racial prejudice is harmful; if it is my thought or act, then it is harmful to me as well as to others." When we realize that our own prejudice negatively affects us as well as the person we discriminate against, and when we realize that discrimination against others (even if we did not initiate it) cheapens our own lives, we all will be highly motivated to end prejudice. And we will do so, because we know doing so will improve all of our lives regardless of our ethnicity, religion, color, class, sexual orientation or disability status.

Note that you can read and sign the Pledge in Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, French and German. Also, check out the Birmingham Pledge website to find teaching tools, curricula, information on starting a pledge drive, newsletters and more.