Earlier this week, I had the privilege of attending Seminary of the Southwest’s Black History Month Keynote Address. The speaker was Chas Moore, Founder and Organizing Director of The Austin Justice Coalition, a community organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for Black, Brown, and marginalized individuals. Their transformative work includes: education, mobilization of voters, connecting people with affordable housing, and so much more. As Moore spoke, I tried to take as many notes as I could. His sentences were packed with wisdom. He spoke about the importance of community. At one point, he proclaimed, “We must learn how to be different together.” He believes part of the problem in our society is that we fail to see each other as neighbors. He says we are responsible for our neighbors and then reminds us that we don’t get to pick who our neighbors are.
As I drove home, I thought more about how I use the word community. It’s used in many wonderful ways. But at times it can also be misused. It’s misused when we equate our identity with community or define community only as the people with whom we get along splendidly. Jesus is the one who calls us to expand our understanding and vision of community. He calls us to open our eyes to the neighbors right around us and to enlarge our hearts with acts of kindness. At times, this is easy. At other times, depending on who the neighbor is, this can be very difficult.
Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke of the Beloved Community, and recently I discovered a wonderful conversation between Black writer bell hooks and Black philosopher Cornell West. What stands out to me is how candid they are with one another about their disagreements and their call to still work together. I’ve placed an 8-minute clip of the conversation below.
You’ll also find more information about The Austin Justice Coalition and a link to Chas Moore’s recent Keynote Address. It is longer than 8 minutes!—but well worth the listen.
And because I believe in the power of music and joy, I’ve placed below one of my favorite music videos from musician John Batiste. I dare you to watch it and not smile!
What a joy to be your pastor!
Teresa
