The Fight Isn't Over

Washington DC is a beautiful and inspirational city. Within a city block, so much history and power can exist. For example, we have been blessed to stay in one of the most historical buildings of the NE region; The United Methodist Building( which is super exciting itself). Built in 1923 by the United Methodist Women, the United Methodist Building is recognized as the "Beacon on the Hill". Positioned between the Supreme Court, the Capitol Building, and several other government places, the UMC Building and the church itself has an advantage of easily making its presence known( go Methodists!) . The 2017-2020 introduction to the Social principles, which was written by our dear mentor Neal Christie, states that “The Social Principles urge us not only to make a difference in the world but also ( and as urgently) to build a different kind of world than the one in which we live.” With this in mind, the UMC church remains strong and willing to represent our social values and represent the interplay between justice and faith.

This week God has truly showed me so many areas that justice and faith work together. I am working with the NAACP Washington Legislative Branch this summer (more on this later) and with my team I was able to attend a panel by the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) on the anniversary of the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967. The panel spoke about the ageism and age based discrimination that still occurs in the workforce today. In all honesty I haven’t considered this discrimination that much in the past. I assumed that as most people got older, they kept the same jobs they had held over the years, and at a certain year they had their retirement party and that was the end. But I was wrong. Many older people go out searching for jobs and are rejected simply because of age based stereotyping. There remains an underlying assumption that older people can not adjust to technology or learn fast enough to keep certain jobs. However, if you really think about it, older people have families too; they have food to buy, cars to take care of, homes to live in, and the list goes on. Age discrimination is wrong and should be considered on the same level of race or gender discrimination. My summer in DC is gradually teaching me each day that our voices matter and as citizens of the US we have the potential to change the world.

Also this past week I was able to attend a book promotion by Congresswoman DeLauro( I know so exciting right?) titled The Least Among Us: Waging the Battle for the Vulnerable. The book highlights the fight for those who are less fortunate and who continue to work tirelessly but still remain impoverished. One of the coolest pieces of the event were the remarks by Nancy Pelosi (the Minority Leader of the United States House of Representatives; I know super cool right!) after Congresswoman Delauro spoke. She pointed out that in the Bible in Matthew 25: 31-46( these verses are really good) Jesus questions his people about why they let suffering happen amongst his other children. And Jesus is right about doing so. The world we live in is filled with impoverished individuals and families and the real question is: why?

Why….. do we as a society, and a supposed Christian one, allow so much suffering to happen right under our noses?

Why….. do we attempt minimal efforts in order to solve the issues of impoverishment?

Why…..  do we allow political leaders, both national and local, to not have “ the least among us” as a priority political situation?

In closing, this week has taught me the level of importance of the church in the justice system and the need to continue to fight for God’s People. As the late Micheal Jackson song says, " It's true we'll make a better day just you and me".

• Iris Gadsden

Summer 17

Entry 2