Greetings Beloved Community,
As we move into a more inclusive and diverse era in our nation’s political life, we continue to see and experience violence perpetrated against minorities and people of color. Communities of faith have an important role to play in advocating for continued change; it will not happen without all of us getting involved in whatever ways we can. I heard a statement the other day that resonates, “we become what we practice.” Have you practiced advocacy today? If you have not already read the book “CASTE; The Origins of Our Discontents,” by Isabelle Wilkerson, I highly recommend that you partner with someone and read it together. The FCC group that is working on the book has been steadily engaging its pages for several months. We have learned so much together. Wilkerson’s overriding message is that the only thing that will end the caste system in America is the practice of radical empathy. So, we try out different scenarios, we practice! How else can anyone get better at something?
Ellen LaBruce sent me these helpful links from Hollaback!, self-described as "a global, people-powered movement to end harassment," on how to be an advocate for someone experiencing discrimination. I encourage you to print it out and go over it with friends and family. The old hymn says, “they will know we are Christians by our love, by our love, yes they’ll know we are Christians by our love.” Love looks like standing up when someone is being put down, love looks like putting an end to the racist practices of voter suppression, and love looks like arming ourselves with knowledge so that when it is our turn to make our love known, we are ready to speak up.
With love,
Curran
Guide to Bystander Intervention
Bystander Recources
