Monday, June 29, 2020, 3:00 - 4:00 PM.  Black Matters 101:  Dismantling Structural Inequalities.  The Black Matters 101: This Side of the Pandemics series of virtual webinars addresses the current state of national affairs as they pertain to Black people. The health pandemic created by COVID-19 has brought racism to the forefront as a public health crisis that has been and continues to be an age-old detriment to African Americans. The health disparities crisis is compounded by the persistence of police killings and civilian vigilantism that traumatize black communities. This webinar series brings together educators, students, community activists, civic leaders, and the general public to discuss topics emanating from the volatile moment of the pandemics, and, importantly, to develop action-oriented strategies for social justice.

The past month’s activism has changed a great deal. One thing it’s helped with is brushing aside the tired old argument over whether government should be big or small. In its place we have the much more useful argument over whether government should prioritize force and punishment, or focus on services and assistance.

If we want local and state governments that provide experts in de-escalating conflict, professionals to assist those with drug addictions or mental illness, and skilled experts at handling traffic or responding to various sorts of emergencies, the funding is easily and logically found. It’s sitting in the oversized budgets for armed policing and incarceration.

Sunday, June 28, 3:16pm
https://www.comfest.com/virtual/virtual-workshops/
Free Press Editors Bob Fitrakis and Harvey Wasserman discuss life living with a pandemic, anti-racist protests, and potential election tampering this fall.

Sometimes listening to the morning news on television is a bit like entering into an alternate universe. Last Wednesday, the day after primary elections in New York State, CBS News reported that New York Congressman Eliot Engel was “facing a challenge” from Democratic Party challenger Jamaal Bowman. NBC News reported that Engel was “trailing.” The reality, according to the New York Times tally of the results that morning was that Bowman had beaten Engel by a margin to 60.9% versus 35.6% with more than 82% of votes counted. Even though it posted the numbers, the Times felt compelled to describe the apparently impending lopsided loss as if it were something less than that, as a “stiff challenge” for Engel.

Our dear friend Miriam Vargas has now been in sanctuary at First English Lutheran Church for two years (or 731 days). How many days do you estimate that you’ve been in quarantine or practicing robust social distancing – mostly from home? These past few months we have all been deepening our understanding and empathy for Miriam’s painful situation through our newly lived experiences. We now have an easy way for you to act on that deeper empathy through an app called Tithely. Some of you are already familiar with this easy support mechanism through your own congregation.