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.
The Birmingham Pledge, authored by Birmingham attorney James E. Rotch, is a statement of principles at the heart of a grassroots movement, started in Birmingham, Alabama, to eliminate racism and prejudice in the Birmingham community and around the world one person at a time. Launched in 1998, the Pledge has spread worldwide. Programs utilizing the Pledge have been reported in all 50 states and more than 20 counties. The work of the Birmingham Pledge movement is carried out by the Birmingham Pledge Foundation, a not-for-profit foundation, which with support from the Birmingham community is currently launching a Global Awareness Campaign to take awareness of the Pledge to every corner of the globe.
