What can we do?
Friends,
I write you with mixed emotions this week:
· Gratitude for justice in the Derek Chauvin case; heartbreak at the news of the killing of Daunte Wright, Ma’Khia Bryant, and Andrew Brown;
· Hope in the midst of the clean energy summit sponsored by the current administration; despair that any outcome may be too little too late to make a difference;
· Excitement about Mayor Bowser’s recent announcement of new units of affordable housing; feeling overwhelmed by the number of tent encampments around Foggy Bottom these days.
What can we do? Some of my friends, particularly a few who are black or people of color, remind me that it tends to be a “white person thing” to think that all the things that upset me are problems waiting for me to solve. Listen a little more, they encourage me. None of these problems developed overnight, and they won’t be solved overnight, either. Welcome to the movement, but you need to equip yourself to be in this for the long haul. And to get used to not being in charge, Laura.
On this journey, as I look at which faith-based groups are aligning for the long haul in the District of Columbia, I am continually inspired by the Washington Interfaith Network (WIN). Part of the Industrial Areas Foundation, WIN is a broad-based, multi-faith, multi-racial community organizing group dedicated to mobilizing neighborhood and community groups to effect social change. While Western has not become a member, National Capital Presbytery and other congregations have been supportive of WIN’s work.
While no broad-based group will line up perfectly with a single congregation’s priorities, WIN consistently works to empower historically underserved communities to organize on their own behalf. It’s a community organizing principle we white folks often forget, but need to learn!
The two events linked below are examples of opportunities to check out WIN next week. William Lamar, pastor at Metropolitan AME (one of the churches targeted by Trumpers in their November protests) will lead a session on systemic racism and housing in the District. In light of the current focus on the environment, WIN is partnering with the Sierra Club to partner for a green future in the District.
If one of the descriptions interests you, I hope you’ll click on the link. If not, that’s okay; maybe there’s another thing you want to do. In these chaotic times, I pray that we will continue to ask what we can do, knowing that sometimes our action may be simply listening, or other times acknowledging that it’s keeping on doing things we’re doing already.
Whatever you do, may you come to know God at work both within you and without you, bringing justice all the same,
Laura
April 27th at 6:45-8pm on Zoom
Join us for a training session around the intersection of race, power and Black wealth and learn how organizing can help us build a just and equitable city. Led by Rev. William H. Lamar of Metropolitan AME Church, we will explore how the history of systemic racism in housing shapes the District today and how we can change its trajectory for our future.
Imagining a Just Green Future Workshop
April 29th at 6:30pm on Zoom
Join members of the Washington Interfaith Network (WIN) and the Sierra Club as we build a more powerful and inclusive movement toward a green future. Our vision involves creating equitable green jobs, electrifying housing and maintaining affordability, and building a coalition of DC residents at the forefront of change. Come along as we continue to imagine a green future, while outlining how we get there.