When I read about the civil rights movement as a teen, I often marveled at the courage of freedom fighters. I tried to place myself in the shoes of those who participated in the Montgomery Bus Boycott, the Freedom Rides, Mississippi Freedom Summer, or other campaigns for justice. I thought about the Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth, who endured beatings, attempts on his life and the decimation of his home. I imagined how I might respond were I alive during this turbulent time.
Similarly, as I have studied the bible, I’ve often questioned whether I possessed the courage of the disciples. Could I harness the boldness of the disciples; boldness that would allow me to proclaim the good news of the gospel to friendly and unfriendly audiences. Does the spirit that dwelled in Lydia of Thyatira, Anna – for example, live in me?
When I hear about Christians across the world being persecuted for their faith, I similarly ask myself if I will model their conviction and boldness.
We Are Being Challenged
I no longer have to ask these questions. Nor do you. We are being challenged to live out publicly what we say we believe privately. We are being challenged to demonstrate our faith; not necessarily in large acts of defiance but in how we love and show up for our neighbors. It is true that as a nation, we haven’t faced what our ancestors confronted, but that doesn’t mean that our lives are problem-free.
We are living in a time of a constitutional crisis. The new administration wields immense power and appears prone to retaliation. We have watched mass deportations of undocumented immigrants and the administration’s reticence to obey court orders. Let’s not forget the administration’s comments about deporting to El Salvador American citizens.
What Will We Do?
The question becomes, ‘what will we do?’ Will we bury our heads in the sand and focus on our immediate loved ones. Will we cosign what is happening with silence, or will we assert what Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., once said, “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
Coast-to-coast protests suggest that many people are displeased with the direction of the nation.
Demands to Acquiesce
And yet, I increasingly see large law firms and academic institutions navigating demands to acquiesce, especially around programs that advance equity. For instance, Kirkland & Ellis and Skadden Arps agreed to provide tens of millions of pro bono work to programs that align with conservative causes. These firms were once involved in litigation or campaigns that furthered democracy by expanding access to the ballot.
We are also witnessing worrisome divides along political and religious lines. In 2023, nearly 1 in 4 Americans believed it was ok to resort to violence to ‘save’ the nation, according to the Public Religion Research Institute. And white Christian nationalism is rising as is support for white Christian nationalism.
Scorn and Contempt
Many people no longer see their fellow Americans as someone’s mother or father, or someone’s loved one. Instead, people are divided by labels of Democrat or Republican – each title filled with scorn and contempt.
It may be Pollyanna to think that we will each face just a couple of challenges over the course of our lives. If I’ve learned anything, it is that there will be multiple Goliaths. Just like David, our nation faces one obstacle after another. Even after David was anointed king, he had to run from Saul to save his life. And after he overcame Saul, his own son Absalom, rebelled against him and sought to take his place.
I hope we reflect on David’s example and utilize his life for the encouragement it provides. Before David ever encountered Goliath, he’d already battled with a lion and a bear. He had experience overcoming great trials, even if he didn’t recognize each trial was preparing him for the next.
Lest we grow fearful and weary, we should remember that Goliath had all the accoutrements of a proven warrior. His armor suggested that he could not be defeated. And yet he fell.
Regardless of how bleak the moment appears we do not have to give into despair. Each of us has a responsibility to do what we can to create a nation in which all belong, all are safe and all are free.
Jennifer R. Farmer, aka The PR Whisperer®, is an author, lecturer and strategic communications expert. Check out our blog posts and subscribe for updates.