You are not alone! Many of us are still not okay and wonder if there is a glimmer of hope that we will be okay one day. I'm thankful for the biblical promises we have but it is hard to garner enough strength to even stand on them these days.
I have been wondering if our nation begged for a dictator (king) like the people did when they wanted a king like Saul? And now today, those who wanted "this guy" have been given what they wanted, blindly unaware of the consequences that come with this demand.
I am thankful for you, Jemar and The Convocation Unscripted community. May the Lord continue to draw us together as His people in these difficult days ahead.
Thank you for so clearly explaining how the terms DEI and racial discrimination have been weaponized, the same way "woke" was twisted and misused. And thank you for so candidly explaining why you are not okay. I look forward to tomorrow's zoom session and have become a subscriber.
'Woke' was hijacked and twisted by political right. Let us hijack it back for surviving in Trump America. Lord give us strength. Our help comes from our Lord. WE ARE WOKE by God's grace, mercy, love and protection. 🙏
Initially I was overcome and dissolved in tears as I realized everything I have worked for and supported my whole life will be squashed, suppressed, destroyed. At 83 years old I fear the rest of my life will be spent under MAGA control. Then I remember “The arc of the moral universe is long but it bends toward justice.” All I can do is keep on keeping on believing in and supporting the things I have worked for all my life.
Thank you for recording your Thursday event. I have a longstanding commitment addressing help for Palestine's Christian community. (Trying to save the starfish one at a time.)
Like so many others who respect and admire you, I am grieving with you. And I am exhausted and discouraged. My white, highly educated, Christian siblings voted for Trump, as did the majority of the members and friends of the church I serve.
I will never understand…
Thank you for your willingness to gather and share with this community. My husband and I will tune in tomorrow night.
You ain’t the only one. I’ve been struggling since i woke up on November 6th. I just can’t believe we are here again with Trump and his minions. I’m still off social media because all the gloating from the Trump supporters turns my stomach (I have family members who voted for him). I am trying to lean on my favorite scripture, Romans 8:28. I’ve got to believe that God allowed all of this because it is part of his master plan. Do I understand the plan, NO, but I have to trust God.
I am a member of VP Harris’ sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha. Some of us in Florida gathered online last night for a prayer service to soothe our troubled souls. The encouraging words from scripture were definitely helpful. I feel like all we can do at this point is pray and stand on God’s word and each other.
I'm still not okay either, Jemar. The news this week has been so distressing. White supremacist Stephen Miller being appointment as Deputy Chief of Staff. Fox News host being appointed as Secretary of Defense, shocking the Pentagon. Huckabee, a self-professing Christian Zionist, being appointed Ambassador of Israel, ensuring no Palestinians will be given any consideration. And the list goes on... And yes, that video. What the secular media still isn't reporting on--and doesn't seem to get--is how so-called Christian nationalism grew right out of the SBC "conservative resurgence" and so-called Christian colleges and universities influenced by that. Purges of Christian faculty have been going on quite a while now. The m.o. of Paige Patterson and Paul Pressler and their ilk will be nationwide. Of course, Kristin du Mez in her book, Jesus and John Wayne, connected some of these dots, as did you in The Color of Compromise. But a scholarly study of what's been happening at CCCUs the last decade is sorely needed.
CCCU has a new president. I met him, and he was interested in connecting. I hope I can share some of my perspectives on Christian higher ed and the role of many schools in perpetuating WCN.
I’m with you, Julie. Just the sound of Stephen Miller’s name makes me shudder, such a wicked, soulless individual. I will never forget how during the 2020 pandemic he was the mastermind behind a sudden order from ICE and Homeland Security to deport thousands of international students in the country legally studying in the US on F1 visas. His plan was only thwarted because Harvard and MIT stood up to him and filed a lawsuit in federal court. I still get angry when I think about the heartlessness of kicking these students out of the country in the middle of a pandemic. Knowing that Miller gets to waltz back in the White House with the same cold, xenophobic mindsight disturbs me greatly.
Exactly, Sharisse! Not to mention the fact that he was the chief architect behind the separation of children from their parents at the border....He is an abomination.
I too appreciate your clear-sightedness in naming this hi-jacking of freighted words and phrases. "Racial discrimination" and other words float about in our imagination untethered to their historical context, and we are robbed without even knowing it. More of this, please (though prioritize your self-care).
I’m lamenting the long awful history of white Christians in this land. I am a white Christian who needs space and time to lament and somehow not give up. I appreciate you so much!
I am not ok either. Sadness overwhelms as I am concerned about my children, grandchildren and great grandchildren - especially those who are Black, Brown and Indigenous and biracial. How one can say the things like "God is in control" and then vote for someone who lacks Christian values and sports all things anti-Jesus is beyond me. I cannot attend this live evening event because I will be honoring a brilliant poet you will love, Jemar. Her name is Camille Dungy. You will relate to her words and experiences. She may be a balm for your soul right now. Sending love to you.
"Lament in the immediate aftermath of the election is only the beginning. This is a season of gathering in case of a future drought of justice." Time to break out Prophetic Lament by Soong-Chan Rah. It seems the most timely right now.
Continued prayers for your strength. My wife and I will join you on Thursday evening. We are still committed to speaking out against injustices even in this new world we enter. 🙏🫶
I’m grateful for our prophets (like TCU togeth & individually) who call out evil, lament, & address how we can advocate & act for people’s very lives. Dr Diana Butler Bass spoke in TCU’s post-election live/recording about “who” we can save. I look forward to learning more & preparing our souls to see loved ones’ lives unsaved in this dark time.
My question is how do we focus & work collectively to save our most vulnerable people?
I think the we’re beyond the 45th & 47th’s blustering with the Project 2025 Teams implementing their takeover impacting lives—to the point of life & death for: immigrants, vulnerable people, attacks on resources for health & well-being (anti-vaccinations, healthcare, access to medical care for miscarriages, food assistance & more).
During the 45th, ICE was on our college campuses looking for students & waiting for them in their neighborhoods when they left for school. Attacking education impacts HBCUs, students of color, & our generations now + in the future. People are less safe—esp people of color & immigrants—even perceived immigrants too.
People are experiencing trauma-triggers of the 45th presidency & now without “guard-rails.” It seems we’re beyond blustering to retributions & attacks on many people’s lives. Sojourners emailed for families to prepare an emergency plan—esp families with mixed statuses.
Even words bring life & death: I note lives lost on/over Jan 6, 2021 insurrection cited by 45th, children in cages—some forever separated from their families—& my college students crying in my office with their families of means moving to “safer” communities trying to protect their lives.
With my privileges of “whiteness,” U.S. citizenship + passport, & college education, I want to learn how to support our traumatized peoples seeking to safeguard their very lives—in the U.S. & overseas including Palestinians in Gaza & West Bank, Lebanese, Ukrainians, & journalists—“this time will be worse.”
Who can we save & how? How can we support people of color & vulnerable lives amidst trauma triggers, our laments, & families’ emergency preparedness planning?
Highly recommend "The Quaking of America: An Embodied Guide to Navigating Our Nation's Upheaval and Racial Reckoning" by Resmaa Menakem. It teaches how to be present and embodied, even in conflict. We're gonna needs LOTS of folks to have this ability in the weeks, months, and years to come.
I find it interesting and amazing that so many of us are going through the same roller coaster of emotions. The only thing that gives me peace is planning for what I, as an individual, can do. I’m very much looking forward to any insights I can gather during Thursday’s Zoom.
You are not alone! Many of us are still not okay and wonder if there is a glimmer of hope that we will be okay one day. I'm thankful for the biblical promises we have but it is hard to garner enough strength to even stand on them these days.
I have been wondering if our nation begged for a dictator (king) like the people did when they wanted a king like Saul? And now today, those who wanted "this guy" have been given what they wanted, blindly unaware of the consequences that come with this demand.
I am thankful for you, Jemar and The Convocation Unscripted community. May the Lord continue to draw us together as His people in these difficult days ahead.
Yes. It certainly seems as if some got the "king" they asked for. Unfortunately, all of us have to live with the consequences.
Lord, have mercy! Christ have mercy! And come Lord Jesus!!
(Sorry about misspelling your name, Jemar - I have edited it now! :-) (it autocorrected!)
Thank you for so clearly explaining how the terms DEI and racial discrimination have been weaponized, the same way "woke" was twisted and misused. And thank you for so candidly explaining why you are not okay. I look forward to tomorrow's zoom session and have become a subscriber.
'Woke' was hijacked and twisted by political right. Let us hijack it back for surviving in Trump America. Lord give us strength. Our help comes from our Lord. WE ARE WOKE by God's grace, mercy, love and protection. 🙏
I appreciate your support, Barbara. Looking forward to "seeing" you online!
Initially I was overcome and dissolved in tears as I realized everything I have worked for and supported my whole life will be squashed, suppressed, destroyed. At 83 years old I fear the rest of my life will be spent under MAGA control. Then I remember “The arc of the moral universe is long but it bends toward justice.” All I can do is keep on keeping on believing in and supporting the things I have worked for all my life.
Thank you for sharing the long view with us, Jeanette.
Thank you for recording your Thursday event. I have a longstanding commitment addressing help for Palestine's Christian community. (Trying to save the starfish one at a time.)
Good and hard work.
Good morning, Jemar,
Like so many others who respect and admire you, I am grieving with you. And I am exhausted and discouraged. My white, highly educated, Christian siblings voted for Trump, as did the majority of the members and friends of the church I serve.
I will never understand…
Thank you for your willingness to gather and share with this community. My husband and I will tune in tomorrow night.
Family is the hardest, isn't it. This isn't just about headlines; it hits close to home for so many people.
I would highly recommend reading Prophetic Lament by Soong-Chan Rah.
You ain’t the only one. I’ve been struggling since i woke up on November 6th. I just can’t believe we are here again with Trump and his minions. I’m still off social media because all the gloating from the Trump supporters turns my stomach (I have family members who voted for him). I am trying to lean on my favorite scripture, Romans 8:28. I’ve got to believe that God allowed all of this because it is part of his master plan. Do I understand the plan, NO, but I have to trust God.
I am a member of VP Harris’ sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha. Some of us in Florida gathered online last night for a prayer service to soothe our troubled souls. The encouraging words from scripture were definitely helpful. I feel like all we can do at this point is pray and stand on God’s word and each other.
So glad you have a community of sistas to lean on.
Me too! One of our mottos is that "we help each other."
I'm still not okay either, Jemar. The news this week has been so distressing. White supremacist Stephen Miller being appointment as Deputy Chief of Staff. Fox News host being appointed as Secretary of Defense, shocking the Pentagon. Huckabee, a self-professing Christian Zionist, being appointed Ambassador of Israel, ensuring no Palestinians will be given any consideration. And the list goes on... And yes, that video. What the secular media still isn't reporting on--and doesn't seem to get--is how so-called Christian nationalism grew right out of the SBC "conservative resurgence" and so-called Christian colleges and universities influenced by that. Purges of Christian faculty have been going on quite a while now. The m.o. of Paige Patterson and Paul Pressler and their ilk will be nationwide. Of course, Kristin du Mez in her book, Jesus and John Wayne, connected some of these dots, as did you in The Color of Compromise. But a scholarly study of what's been happening at CCCUs the last decade is sorely needed.
CCCU has a new president. I met him, and he was interested in connecting. I hope I can share some of my perspectives on Christian higher ed and the role of many schools in perpetuating WCN.
I’m with you, Julie. Just the sound of Stephen Miller’s name makes me shudder, such a wicked, soulless individual. I will never forget how during the 2020 pandemic he was the mastermind behind a sudden order from ICE and Homeland Security to deport thousands of international students in the country legally studying in the US on F1 visas. His plan was only thwarted because Harvard and MIT stood up to him and filed a lawsuit in federal court. I still get angry when I think about the heartlessness of kicking these students out of the country in the middle of a pandemic. Knowing that Miller gets to waltz back in the White House with the same cold, xenophobic mindsight disturbs me greatly.
Exactly, Sharisse! Not to mention the fact that he was the chief architect behind the separation of children from their parents at the border....He is an abomination.
I too appreciate your clear-sightedness in naming this hi-jacking of freighted words and phrases. "Racial discrimination" and other words float about in our imagination untethered to their historical context, and we are robbed without even knowing it. More of this, please (though prioritize your self-care).
Thank you, Susie! There's so much to talk about it always helps to hear what you are interested in.
I’m lamenting the long awful history of white Christians in this land. I am a white Christian who needs space and time to lament and somehow not give up. I appreciate you so much!
We're glad to have you here, Theresa.
I am not ok either. Sadness overwhelms as I am concerned about my children, grandchildren and great grandchildren - especially those who are Black, Brown and Indigenous and biracial. How one can say the things like "God is in control" and then vote for someone who lacks Christian values and sports all things anti-Jesus is beyond me. I cannot attend this live evening event because I will be honoring a brilliant poet you will love, Jemar. Her name is Camille Dungy. You will relate to her words and experiences. She may be a balm for your soul right now. Sending love to you.
You have chosen the better portion, Twila. Thankful for your support. And the recording will be available to you.
"Lament in the immediate aftermath of the election is only the beginning. This is a season of gathering in case of a future drought of justice." Time to break out Prophetic Lament by Soong-Chan Rah. It seems the most timely right now.
Absolutely. Great book and great reminder.
Continued prayers for your strength. My wife and I will join you on Thursday evening. We are still committed to speaking out against injustices even in this new world we enter. 🙏🫶
Appreciate your support and prayers. Looking forward to you joining us!
I’m grateful for our prophets (like TCU togeth & individually) who call out evil, lament, & address how we can advocate & act for people’s very lives. Dr Diana Butler Bass spoke in TCU’s post-election live/recording about “who” we can save. I look forward to learning more & preparing our souls to see loved ones’ lives unsaved in this dark time.
My question is how do we focus & work collectively to save our most vulnerable people?
I think the we’re beyond the 45th & 47th’s blustering with the Project 2025 Teams implementing their takeover impacting lives—to the point of life & death for: immigrants, vulnerable people, attacks on resources for health & well-being (anti-vaccinations, healthcare, access to medical care for miscarriages, food assistance & more).
During the 45th, ICE was on our college campuses looking for students & waiting for them in their neighborhoods when they left for school. Attacking education impacts HBCUs, students of color, & our generations now + in the future. People are less safe—esp people of color & immigrants—even perceived immigrants too.
People are experiencing trauma-triggers of the 45th presidency & now without “guard-rails.” It seems we’re beyond blustering to retributions & attacks on many people’s lives. Sojourners emailed for families to prepare an emergency plan—esp families with mixed statuses.
Even words bring life & death: I note lives lost on/over Jan 6, 2021 insurrection cited by 45th, children in cages—some forever separated from their families—& my college students crying in my office with their families of means moving to “safer” communities trying to protect their lives.
I really value Dr Tisby’s posts & meetings with us, giving of oneself & risking much including income, time with loved ones, & ease of life, to support our marginalized folks’ lives amidst https://open.substack.com/pub/kristindumez/p/this-time-is-worse?r=1mvf6a&utm_medium=ios
With my privileges of “whiteness,” U.S. citizenship + passport, & college education, I want to learn how to support our traumatized peoples seeking to safeguard their very lives—in the U.S. & overseas including Palestinians in Gaza & West Bank, Lebanese, Ukrainians, & journalists—“this time will be worse.”
Who can we save & how? How can we support people of color & vulnerable lives amidst trauma triggers, our laments, & families’ emergency preparedness planning?
Lots of really good questions about practical steps here, Hope. May have to bring forward the ARC of Racial Justice® again.
https://www.christianitytoday.com/2021/06/jemar-tisby-how-fight-racism-three-words/
Thanks for the reminder!
Highly recommend "The Quaking of America: An Embodied Guide to Navigating Our Nation's Upheaval and Racial Reckoning" by Resmaa Menakem. It teaches how to be present and embodied, even in conflict. We're gonna needs LOTS of folks to have this ability in the weeks, months, and years to come.
Thank you;! 'm checking for it with local libraries or interlibrary loan.
Electing Trump is and will be complex, complicated & compounded trauma/grief.
Very true. Thankful for your wisdom and solidarity.
I find it interesting and amazing that so many of us are going through the same roller coaster of emotions. The only thing that gives me peace is planning for what I, as an individual, can do. I’m very much looking forward to any insights I can gather during Thursday’s Zoom.
Thanks, Doug. I'm very interested to hear more about what you're planning to do as an individual. We could all use ideas.
Yes, we still need time to scream and grieve. And when it is time, we will flight. Like you have always said, racism adapts.
It's taking more time for me than it has in the past. Probably because the issue is even graver than before. Onward.