We serve a God that freely and, yes, liberally, disburses rebirths, revolts and resurrections. A loving God. A DEI God, who extends salvation and community by way of God’s DEI policy. It is because of God’s DEI policy that we are truly liberated from the effects of this world’s oppression and evil.
The “liberation” we are witnessing in the federal government’s takeover of Washington, D.C.’s police force and the deployment of the National Guard into residential neighborhoods is not liberation. It is a vast overreach of power and thinly veiled and racially motivated attempt to criminalize homelessness, poverty, and even Black leadership.
Sherman Church, Madison’s progressive, community-based church, condemns the breathtakingly audacious actions of the federal government. Unlike many in power, we believe that safety in our communities begins with loving kindness and compassion, not brutal force. We know that the government can make our country and our neighborhoods safe by investing in housing, after-school programs, quality health care, and employment training.
Sherman Church, like Jesus Christ, will always stand on the side of the oppressed and marginalized. We will always oppose initiatives and policies that are needlessly mean-spirited and hurtful. policies and programs that rapidly, supportively, and permanently house neighbors in need.
While Sherman Church is pleased to hear that the D.C. crime rate is down and “crime” is being used as a pretext to neutralize a Black woman in leadership, that discourse misses the point. We believe that the focus should remain on all who are working for a city where safety is rooted in fairness, opportunity, and compassion.
We pray mightily for this nation, the Mayor of D.C., the police, and the National Guard members who are answering the call to serve. We pray for those impacted by this takeover, and petition El Roi, the God who sees, to see this injustice.
We also pray that the people of God are called to action, that their complacency is jarred, and that they take concrete steps to stop this takeover.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
