Fr. Dan Horan, O.F.M. enjoys running. So did Ahmaud Arbery.
A prolific writer and podcaster who serves on the faculty of St. Mary’s College in Indiana, Fr. Dan penned the column “Running While White” to acknowledge his white privilege.
“As with everything in a country and world afflicted by racial injustice, one's perceived race affects all aspects of being-in-the-world, including simple and innocent activities like going for a run,” he wrote. “For some people, because of the color of their skin, the very ability to run in a new location or in some parts of one's own country can be as simple as choosing to do so — that has been my experience as a white man. However, if you are a Black, Latinx or Asian person, such a simple activity could result in a life-or-death situation. Just take the case of Ahmaud Arbery.”
The trial for the three men charged with Aubrey’s February 2020 murder in Georgia is set to begin today. Fr. Dan held a full slate of discussions with the Siena community on November 3 to explore the concept of white privilege, not to induce guilt, he said, but to encourage action and advocacy.
“A Siena Saints Guide to Racism and Privilege: Franciscan Values on Siena’s Campus” was organized by the College’s Mission office, in collaboration with the Athletic Department and First Year Seminar, as part of Siena’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the bonds of racial justice. The concept was based on Fr. Dan’s new book, A White Catholic’s Guide to Racism and Privilege.
The purpose of Fr. Dan’s campus visit was “to help move the needle” on becoming aware of what is ours to do to address racism in our community, said Fr. Mark Reamer O.F.M., vice president for mission.
“We want our community to be thinking about what our role is in this going forward,” said Fr. Mark.
The day began with a breakfast conversation with Division I head coaches to help facilitate conversations on their teams about racism. Fr. Dan then met with student leaders over lunch to prepare them to lead “courageous conversations” on challenging, uncomfortable topics surrounding racism. His evening keynote to students was followed by table discussions and a large group conversation focusing on the key question “Where do we go from here?”
“The key thing is to maintain a respectful and hospitable space,” he told the student leaders during their training session. “Don’t be afraid of the silence. Give people the time and space they need to speak, and respect and honor each other’s dignity and value.”
Fr. Dan said that discussions about race and privilege can be challenging at predominantly white institutions like Siena, which is 76 percent white.
“No one has all the answers,” he said. “We’re all learners and teachers here and it’s OK to make mistakes.”
Some of the questions contemplated by the students included “What emotions/feelings are you aware of stirring within you this evening, and what do they suggest about the work ahead in engaging oneself and others on behalf of racial justice?” Also, “Was there a particular event or series of events that led you to start paying attention to questions and conflict around race?” “How are you being challenged or invited to do you part in the work of advocating for racial justice on our campus, in our social groups and in our communities?”
Maryam Jaffri ’25 thought that the event was informative and influential.
“It did an excellent job putting things into perspective, and it was not accusatory, which is essential when discussing such a complex topic,” she said. “I am happy that Siena values diversity and inclusion and uses its Franciscan beliefs to create change. I liked where Fr. Dan said that change starts with your friends and family. If you can tell them that they are saying things that make you and others around you uncomfortable, you will be able to make more of a difference in their attitudes towards racism than a news channel or an article.”
Angie Jabir, senior associate athletic director, and Britt Haas, Ph.D., co-director of First-Year Seminar, helped organize Fr. Dan’s visit.
“As we strive to strengthen the bonds of racial justice at Siena, honest and open dialogue is critical,” said Jabir. “Our coaches and student-athletes enjoyed the opportunity to spend time with Fr. Dan in an engaging setting where questions, comments and concerns were encouraged and expressed.”
Haas said that to move toward racial justice in the wider society and on our campus, students must be engaged and invested in the process.
“Fr. Dan's talk provided an opportunity for students to not only enter the conversation, but to help set the parameters of that conversation in order to determine what, in the words of St. Francis, is ‘theirs to do’ as we figure out, together, where we go from here,” she said.
John Kenworthy, head coach for men’s and women’s cross-country and track, learned about Fr. Dan’s work when he read the “Running While White” column last year. He invited him to address Siena student athletes in January via Zoom.
“Fr. Dan is so skilled at helping lead discussions on topics of racism and privilege. I walked away feeling like I learned so much, but also humbled in the reality of how much more I needed to learn,” Kenworthy said.
Born and raised in Utica, N.Y., Fr. Dan is a graduate of St. Bonaventure University, and taught at Siena in 2010. At the evening event, Saints basketball forward Jackson Stormo ’22 presented Fr. Dan with a Saints jersey in advance of the November 9 Coughlin Franciscan Cup game between the two colleges.