I am writing this rebuttal, or requiem of resistance with an injured heart but a resolved spirit on Ash Wednesday as those in the Christian tradition begin our journey to the Resurrection by way of the bloody cross, where Jesus was crucified for being a threat to the empire. The “empire” is still creating internal enemies. Today we join our Muslim siblings who are already on the road in their Ramadan journey. These holy days are being observed as this newly empowered political regime attempts to enact laws that will further wreak havoc on innocent people in this country and around the globe. President Trump’s address revealed more about what or more accurately who is against than how he plans to lead or serve this country. In many ways, the Joint Address represented no news, other than the unrepentant nature of a political party that is determined to plunder everyone who is not white, male, and wealthy in America and across the globe.
I. Immigration.
We refuse to normalize or accept the incessant criminalization and demonization of immigrant family members who are not unwanted people from afar but family members who contribute greatly to the fabric of our society. Don’t repeat the xenophobic rhetoric. We also in the words of Bishop Dwayne Royster will not accept a budget that is “taking from poor people to take from poor people.”
– A budget that extract food from children by reducing SNAP benefits to ensure over $230 billion dollars in cuts from Agriculture and puts the lives of the disabled, pregnant women and children at risk by cutting Medicaid to make $880 billion in cuts to Energy & Commerce a reality all to fund the deportation, detention and separation of families is immoral.
– Immigrants boost our economic growth by expanding the labor force and increasing consumer spending.
– More than 40% of Fortune 500 companies were founded by immigrants (according to the Migration Policy Inst.)
Organizing: In addition to the national work the Immigration Dept aka Faith for Liberation has led for years, multiple federations in FIA prioritize immigration reform and immigrants are a vital part of our base. We also center work with Haitian immigrants.
II. The assault on Black people under the guise of Dismantling DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion policies) and the weaponizing of CRT(Critical Race Theory).
It is evident that the Trump Administration wants to repurpose DEI to mean diminish and dehumanize, exclude and extract; impoverish and incarcerate. It is no laughing matter. We reject the misuse of Critical Race Theory (CRT) as a pretext for censoring and erasing the vital contributions of Black and Indigenous people to American history. Black people are not dispensable and we must all refuse to sit silently while the descendants of those who built this country, while not being able to partake in the “liberty and so called justice for all,” continue to be objectified and civil rights that we gained to benefit everyone are eroded.
– In a country with a racist history,DEI programs help ensure that talent from all backgrounds have equitable access. It has benefitted many people including all people of Color, women and the disabled.
– Studies consistently show that diverse workplaces and educational institutions lead to greater innovation, stronger decision-making, and higher financial performance.
– Critical Race Theory is a scholarly framework primarily used in higher education to examine systemic inequities. The false narrative that this is accessible in K-12 education must stop.
Organizing: As a national organization Faith in Action began the work of disrupting the normalization of centering the leadership of whiteness and began the work of investing in leadership of Color and developed a staff that was more representative of those at the center of our organizing. The work continues as the work of centering racial equity and justice is ongoing.
III. The Manipulation of Narratives in Educational Systems.
The false narrative that America was founded exclusively by and for wealthy white Christian men not only distorts history but also fuels the weaponization of a white nationalist interpretation of Christianity—one that marginalizes and excludes those of different faiths or no faith, along with Black, AAPI, Latino, and Indigenous students.
– The Department of Education has introduced an anonymous portal for reporting K-12 public schools promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Critics argue that this “snitch line” fosters division and undermines civil rights.
– America has always been a diverse nation, built through the contributions of many communities. Erasing aspects of history that do not align with a singular, exclusionary perspective is an intentional act of historical revisionism.
– The push to make schools exclusively English-speaking and Christian-centered disregards the multicultural and multi-faith foundation of this country. Such efforts not only alienate non-English speakers and students of different religious backgrounds but also undermine the very principles of freedom and inclusion that allegedly define American democracy.
Organizing: When Black history was banned in Florida, Faith in Florida under the leadership of Pastor Rhonda Thomas responded by building something. They are in the second year of teaching congregations to engage in a comprehensive Black Studies Toolkit, with more than 400 congregations trained. We also voted as a Network to prioritize education, along with other vital issues.
IV. Climate and Environmental Justice
The deliberate shift from previous environmental policies, including withdrawing from the Paris Climate Accord, promoting fossil fuel production, and reducing funding for climate-focused agencies puts all of us at risk in an era of increased natural disasters while California is still recovering and fires are burning the Carolinas. We must continue to:
– Advocate for Local and State Climate Policies: In the absence of federal action, local and state governments can implement robust climate policies. Encouraging renewable energy projects, enforcing stricter emissions standards, and promoting sustainable urban planning can mitigate the impact of federal rollbacks. Engaging with local policymakers to adopt these measures ensures continued progress toward climate goals.
– Support Environmental Organizations and Legal Actions: Numerous environmental organizations are actively challenging detrimental policies through legal avenues. Supporting groups like the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) amplifies efforts to counteract harmful environmental decisions. These organizations provide platforms for individual involvement, from participating in campaigns to contributing to legal funds.
– Mobilize Public Awareness and Grassroots Movements: Grassroots movements have historically been instrumental in driving environmental change. This time is no different.
Organizing: Through our work with our National Organizing Campaign (NOC) led by Cassandra Jones, our National Campaign Director and the multiple federations involved in this work we will continue to engage in climate justice.
V. The Implementation of Project 2025. While he didn’t point to it, it is evident that instead of being led by values that center the flourishing of All of GOD’s Children, this regime is led by the bigoted, billionaires’ manifesto, known as Project 2025. This Playbook for creating an autocratic government is being carried out at the expense of the lives and livelihoods of ordinary people.
– Restructuring Federal Agencies is not about efficiency but the Administration is actively reducing the workforce within federal agencies, particularly those not directly tied to law enforcement or public safety. Resources are being reallocated to bolster defense, border control, and surveillance operations, aligning with Project 2025’s objectives.
– Significant layoffs at agencies like the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) have raised concerns about the privatization of services such as weather forecasting. This shift could prioritize corporate interests over public welfare, reflecting the project’s inclination towards reducing governmental roles in favor of private sector involvement. This centers the project’s priority of privatizing public service.
– While DOGE and its unelected leader Elon Musk intimidate federal employees into quitting citing waste, the reality is there is a database of employees that they want to infiltrate the federal government.
Organizing: Over two years ago the Faith Leadership Team under the direction of Rev. Deth Im compiled a curriculum and training that centers building “beloved community” as the antidote to White Christian Nationalism. This training also includes some specifics about Project 2025 and policies that impact the most vulnerable in our communities. Contact faith@faithinaction.org for more info.
Let us be reminded that those of us who are being subjected to the futile but vile attempts at dehumanization are those who continue to contribute greatly to a society and a country while often enduring the least favorable conditions. It is our power that scares them and building that power will see us through. My faith tradition reminds us that we are all made in the image of a loving GOD who created a world for all of us to belong. Our job as people of faith in turbulent times is to:
– Be the orbiters of truth so that our communities can distinguish fact from fiction.
– Not be distracted by the velocity of the attacks but stay focused not merely on what we are blocking but what we are building.
– To ground ourselves in faith and or spiritual practices that will help us guard our hearts and our people.
Over the next 4 years, we will have to engage in what Rev. Peter Laarman calls, “constructive mourning,” in the “radical rest,” Patricia Hersey, Bishop of the Nap Ministry teaches for the sake of self-care and wellbeing, mitigate the harm from ourselves and our people as much as we can and organize to build anew because in the words of June Jordan, “We are the ones we have been waiting on!”
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