veru is the Sicilian word for truth.
without truth, there can be no justice.
Woven into my Sicilian, Greek and Orthodox Christian heritage is a history of multicultural and interfaith societies flourishing in the Mediterranean yet also a history of terror and occupation by the Ottoman Empire. A look into the history of Sicily will reveal it to be one of the world’s most diverse islands seeing occupations of Arab, Jewish, Muslim, Byzantine Greek, Spanish and French cultures over hundreds of years. Conversely, Greek culture and religion were subject to violent Turkish occupation and persecution for over 500 years. My cultures know diversity and they know oppression, yet many of us in the diaspora have lost this value and taken on xenophobia and racism in an attempt to acculturate in the West.
Why did I choose this lens? Because I believe that when we look introspectively into our own history and culture of origin is when we can authentically own our commitment to racial justice. I do not have to co-opt or appropriate another culture in order to justify my purpose, this is who my ancestors were and it is who I am.
a movement towards peace.
The time to create and sustain racial justice in our communities and workplaces is now. Racial injustice is not only a societal disease, but a disease of the mind, body and spirit that can only be undone through radical honesty and deep self-reflection.
Through VERU, I aim to enter the process of radical truth-telling through the written and spoken word exploring culture, racial and social justice, institutionalized racism, dismantling white supremacy, and deconstructing whiteness. I will conduct analysis through the lenses of the Orthodox Christian faith, academic and industry research, pan-Mediterranean cultural values and psychology.
It is up to each and every one of us to examine ourselves to root out hatred of any form, and seek to undo any lies we believe about ourselves, our families, our cultures, our colleagues, our neighbors, and our perceived enemies.
Only then can we truly find meaning in our work and our lives.
I stand firmly in my vision of truth as the only way to sustain justice and ultimately peace.
"Leave all human injustices to the Lord, for God is the Judge, but as to yourself, be diligent in loving everybody with a pure heart” -St. John of Kronstadt
Courtney maloof, VERU Editor and Founder
Courtney Maloof holds an MBA from the University of Portland and a BA in Administration of Justice from Portland State University. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership at Eastern University with a research focus on racial reconciliation in the Orthodox Church, de-centering whiteness in leadership theory, and psychological safety for marginalized people in leadership development programs.
Courtney has over 20 years of professional experience working in the fields of racial justice, brand marketing, and organizational development. She has worked both in the United States and the Philippines for nonprofit, educational, and corporate organizations including Nike, The Oregon Council for Hispanic Advancement (closed), Sports Central Manila, Latino Network, Watson Furniture Group, University of Oregon, University of Portland, and Cole-Faso consulting. Courtney’s cultural background is a blend of Greek, Sicilian, Irish, and British. She is a Greek Orthodox Christian whose faith is the foundation for her lifelong heart for racial justice. She resides in Michigan with her husband and four children and is an active member of the local Orthodox Christian community.