And now what?
On October 18, thousands of Hoosiers gathered in Indianapolis and around the state for the No Kings rallies. Protesting is easy – now what are YOU going to do about it?
If you attended one of the No Kings rallies, thank you. In this time of polarization and threats to our democratic values, we need to say “this isn’t ok” en masse to remember we’re not alone. And I liken protest without action to the Christian Testament Bible’s James 2:26 statement, “faith without works is dead.” As a pastor friend often says, “you can be strategic, or you can be cathartic.” Let’s move beyond catharsis.
Let’s remember the privilege we have to protest. Like many in the crowds, I’m able to go home to a safe place to live, without worrying about basic necessities like food and health care. A great many of our neighbors in Indianapolis don’t have those luxuries. And while I can feel better about lending my voice to the anger and righteousness of the cause, that is not the case with many.
Want to make true change? It’s no secret that my focus is secure housing, namely ending the evictions and homelessness crises in our city. Want to work for justice? Let’s end these. Tens of thousands of our neighbors are losing the essential Medicaid benefits that literally keep them alive. In a country of plenty, we throw away more food than many have to meet their daily needs. Dr. King reminds us that, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.” We must recognize the hypocrisy of calling out the injustice of elected leaders when we ignore it in the systemic poverty in our backyard.
This is not meant to be the judgmental ranting of a religious leader, but a call to true action. The best way to combat the avarice and greed of fascism is with compassion and action towards the least among us. Imagine how much more powerful we would be if we lifted up the lives of millions of the disenfranchised to stand with us in calling out injustice.
