Standing Up for Racial Justice June 5, 2020 As people of faith, we are outraged, horrified, and deeply saddened by the murder of George Floyd, yet another African-American man, who was the victim of brutality at the hands of those who are called to “protect and serve.” We stand with the tens of thousands of peaceful American protesters expressing pain, anguish and anger in these last days, demanding that justice be served, that police brutality against people of color be ended, and that racial discrimination in our country be no more. We say: “Enough is enough.” For many of us, outrage and frustration is not only our response to the Minneapolis murder and other recent incidents; it is also a re-awakening of rage against the institutional racism that is the “original sin” of American society, and manifests itself in so many ways, including longstanding violence against black people; historical poverty and blight in the African-American community; a corrupt system of mass incarcerat...
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A Statement from the Brookline Clergy Association on the State of Political Discourse . The separation of church and state is an important value in American society. For this reason, religious leaders and institutions generally avoid becoming embroiled in solely political matters. When, however, the political conversation moves beyond the confines of what is civil into open hostility, then it is becomes necessary and urgent for religious leaders to respond. There is a worrying trend this election year. Political speech has become increasingly intolerant and even in some cases marked by calls for violence. Racism, bigotry, misogyny, and religious prejudice should not become common currency in U.S. politics. Many Americans are expressing dissatisfaction with government. But a desire to see change must not become an excuse for intolerance, for blaming immigrants or religious minorities for the nation’s problems. Moving beyond political correctness should never mean leaving behind com...