This is not the first time I have written about William Barber II (see here and especially here), but I am posting this article in strong support of Barber and his (and co-chair Liz Theoharis’s) Poor People’s Campaign’s “Moral March on Washington and to the Polls!” on June 18 (here is their website link.)
The June 18 March on Washington is also dubbed the Mass Poor People’s & Low-Wage Workers’ Assembly. Barber and Theoharis have issued a declaration for why the long-planned June 18 assembly and march are necessary (see here).
After stating that “there are 140
million poor and low-income people in this country,” the Declaration lists
eight major concerns. Here are the first three of those:
1. Living wages, adequate incomes, inclusive welfare programs & the right to form and join unions
2. Universal, quality and affordable healthcare, housing, water, utilities & public education
3. Expanded voting rights, civil rights, access to democracy & equal protection under the law
Further, Barber and Theoharis give
ten reasons for the assembly and march. The first is:
Because the promise of our democracy requires that we address the interlocking injustices of systemic racism, poverty, ecological devastation and the denial of health care, militarism & the war economy, and the distorted moral narrative of religious nationalism. It is time to heal the wounds of our society and declare a moral revival across the land.
This is the kind of statement the vocal opponents of
“critical race theory” and intersectionality find objectionable and depreciate.
But it seems to me that this is a very clear, correct, and significant
statement.
Barber and Theoharis conclude with this appeal:
Join us to move this society beyond the false choices of liberal vs. conservative and right vs. left and toward the essential question of our time: right vs. wrong!
Join us to revive and renew the heart and soul of our democracy!
Those of us who have concern for the large segment of our
society who are struggling/suffering the most should surely respond to this
appeal wholeheartedly.
Please note that Saturday’s march/assembly is not a political
activity—although it does align with the left wing of the Democratic Party
more than any other (except maybe for the Democratic Socialists).
The Poor People’s Campaign is firmly rooted in the teachings
of Jesus Christ, not in politics. Barber and Theoharis are Christian clergy, and
how refreshing it is to see Christian leaders in the news because of their
commitment to following Jesus’ teaching rather than because of some sexual or
financial scandal as, unfortunately, is so often the case nowadays.
Most of all, Barber and Theoharis are seeking to lead those
who heed their call to follow the teachings of Jesus such as found in Luke
4:16~21 and Matthew 25:31~40.
Yes, how encouraging it is to observe the activity of clergy
who are truly Christian leaders rather than misleaders, to witness Jesus-followers
who are carrying on the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr., Walter Rauschenbusch,
and many other faithful clergy of the past.
The June 18 assembly/march will be virtual as well as live.
(You can access the livestream of the activities that day beginning at 9:30
a.m., EDT, here.)
Perhaps most of you will not take the time to watch all the livestreamed program (and neither will I), but I at least will watch some of it from about 10:45 (EDT) that morning—and I hope you will, too.
I didn't expect many comments on this morning's blog post, and so far all I have received is this two-word comment from Thinking Friend Glenn Hinson in Kentucky:
ReplyDelete"I agree!"
If Mary's Magnificat is/was not political, then the Poor People's march is not political.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Charles, for your significant comment. I was using "political" in the narrow sense of partisan politics, and I should have indicated that. Barber's emphasis, as Mary's, is not aligned with partisan politics but both are, as you imply, deeply political in the broader sense.
DeleteIn fact, I considered using the following quote by Barber in the blog article, and wish now I could have incorporated it in the post:
"Preachers don't get to stay out of politics. we are either chaplains of empire or prophets of God."
Charles replied to my response:
Delete"Yes I wish you had included the caveat re: partisan politics. The Magnificat is so obviously political. 'Chaplains of Empire or Prophets of God?' I have sought to be a prophet of God.
Yes, I have long appreciated your prophetic integrity. But it is such a shame that so many of the clergy in the SBC that you I used to be affiliated with became chaplains of empire.
DeleteYes, you will be faulted for saying the march is not political instead of not partisan, although the difference between the two is razor thin, and the white right will read it as partisan regardless. In any case, this is wonderful, concise, and prophetic Christian statement! I've promoted it on FB.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your positive response, Anton!
DeleteYes, I'm sure the "white right" will interpret the March on Washington as partisan. As you probably saw, this week Voddie Baucham, the candidate pushed by the Conservative Baptist Network, was narrowly defeated in his bid to become president of the Southern Baptist Pastors' Conference. He is the bestselling author of "Fault Lines: The Social Justice Movement and Evangelicalism's Looming Catastrophe" (2021), which warns that “liberal” ideas such as critical race theory and social justice are invading the evangelical world.
The GOP'S almost universal opposition to teaching true history has had the effect of rendering any position on systemic racism as partisan politics. We must not let that silence us on the issues.
ReplyDeleteYesterday evening, Thinking Friend Craig Dempsey sent the following comments by email:
ReplyDelete"I'll let Martin Luther provide my comment on the Chaplains of Empire:
'A mighty fortress is our God, / A bulwark never failing; / Our helper he amidst the flood/Of mortal ills prevailing. / For still our ancient foe / Doth seek to work us woe / His craft and power are great / And armed with cruel hate/On earth is not his equal.'
"Jesus, unlike those Chaplains, said, 'And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free' (John 8:32)."
And, again, brief (and appreciated) comments from Thinking Friend Jerry Jumper in southwest Missouri:
ReplyDelete"As one crying in the wilderness, sir, you cry very well. Thanks for this."
Once again you have helped broaden my perspective as I was unaware of this March. Thank you! I love the shift from a political issue to a moral one that all Christians should be able to embrace. I think on either side of the aisle you’ll you’ll find very few who won’t say they are against poverty, just that they believe in solving it different ways. I tend to think there’s less real action and compassion behind some of those ways — and often an excuse to do nothing or even put policies in place that disadvantage the marginalized. I am returning from El Salvador where I am reminded again how hard it is to separate politics from the actual action on the ground. We support an NGO that provides education, clean water and housing to the poorest in the country — which shouldn’t be controversial — but given the economic and political situation in the country, it’s mission is being threatened by both the US and Salvadoran governments. I hope that more Christians support real action to help those that are marginalized have access to basic services — regardless of party affiliation. Jim Koger
ReplyDelete