As Orthodoxy in Dialogue approaches its second anniversary on August 22, our original readers will remember our three “pre-launch” posts: Open Letter to Our Beloved Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America (8/16/17), Response to Racist Violence in Charlottesville, VA (8/18/17), and Editorial: Our Response to the Assembly of Bishops (8/20/17). These established Orthodoxy in Dialogue, from its inception, as American Orthodoxy’s loudest and most persistent voice against white supremacy and racism in the social, political, and religious life of the United States—found even within the Orthodox Church. Between then and now, the White Supremacy and Racism section of our Archives has grown to almost 45 of our 643 titles, or 7% of our publishing activity.

We post the following call to collective, peaceful action as consistent with our publishing history and our values. Please share it widely with your activist-minded brothers, sisters, friends, and colleagues. Imagine how wonderful it will be for Orthodox laity, clergy, and hierarchy to show up in large numbers.

To learn about Orthodoxy in Dialogue’s partnership to provide legal and humanitarian assistance at the US-Mexico border click

HERE

Across the country, millions of hearts beat with El Paso, from Pasadena to Parkland, Phoenix to Philadelphia. And on September 7, our hearts will beat to gether in El Paso for a day of action and creative resistance against white supremacy. We are calling for our sisters and brothers from across the country to come down to the border and join Border Network for Human Rights and other local organizations in this fight. What has been polluted by hatred and racist violence, we can begin to cleanse with song and collective action.

Join the El Paso community for a concert and march at the border.

As communities of immigrants and refugees, El Paso has a place in all of our hearts: A community that straddles borders and cultures, a symbol for safety and inclusion for people from around the world, citizens and non-citizens alike – a symbol of hope and home.

That symbol has been attacked for a reason. Our families were attacked by a man who sought to make us disappear. He may be detained, but his world view has been incited, enabled, and promoted by individuals in public office. It has to be said.

What happened here was foreseeable. Two tendencies have intersected that invariably will lead to this violence. The uncontrolled access to weapons of war that has enabled mass atrocities in cities over and over again has converged with the white supremacist political agenda that we see at every Trump rally, that we hear in every Trump speech.

Sadly, too many local, state, and federal elected officials have remained silent, and worse, have served as a conduit to this worldview. The hate-filled speeches that incite violence, the criminalizing of entire families and communities, and the collusion of elected officials with hate groups – enough is enough.

It’s time that we join our voices to defeat the sickening worldview that shows contempt for our lives, and profits from our suffering. Join the El Paso community on September 7 for an evening of peaceful protest against the white supremacist rhetoric that fosters violence against immigrant communities.

Because no wall or cage can restrain a song. Because compassion and solidarity are a universal language that knows no borders. Because together, we have the power to alleviate pain and confront injustice. And what has been polluted by hatred and racist violence can be cleansed by song and collective action.

To RSVP for #ElPasoFirme Against White Supremacy – March and Day of Cultural Resistance on September 7 click

HERE

Erika Andiola is the Chief Advocacy Officer for RAICES, the 501(c)(3) nonprofit agency with which Orthodoxy in Dialogue has partnered to deliver legal and humanitarian assistance at the US-Mexico border. Check our What Can a Christian Do? to learn how you can support this initiative as a donor and as a volunteer.