Our prophetic voice is needed!

Dear Friends,

I was encouraged to read that North Pacific Yearly Meeting recognizes that “we are called to live in the brave faith that our prophetic voice is the most powerful force available to us in our times.”

Prophets were called to speak truth to kings to remind them what God requires: justice and mercy, especially for the most vulnerable. President Trump has compared himself to a king and declared he would be a dictator on Day 1 in the White House. His actions confirm these weren’t idle words. He is seeking to take control of the universities and the media and crush any form of dissent. He has attacked our legal system, ignored the Supreme Court and cowed many major law firms into doing his bidding. He has gutted foreign aid, the EPA, HUD and virtually every social program. He has allowed the world’s richest man and his technocrats access to our personal data and has weaponed the IRS. He wants to expand the military by 10% and is reportedly planning a military parade in Washington DC on June 14 to commemorate his birthday. He is sending people to an inhumane prison in El Salvador without due process or a trial. And that’s just in his first 100 days!

My neighbor has hung his American flag upside down, a signal of dire distress. To paraphrase the title of Sinclair Lewis’ novel It Can’t Happen Here about the rise of homegrown dictator in America in 1930s, it is happening here. We are in the beginning stages of an American-style dictatorship.

What can we do as Quakers individually and collectively? It is important to stay grounded in the Spirit and build a community of love and trust so we can weather these trying times together. It is also important to be kind and dialogue with those we disagree with. But I feel we are called to do more: stay true to our Quaker DNA and be bold and prophetic. Just as early Quakers spoke truth to those in power, even if it meant facing prison, we as heirs to that prophetic tradition need to be willing to speak truth to those in power today.

Here are some ways we can demonstrate a brave faith: Support our Quaker organizations like the AFSC and FCNL. Support progressive organizations like the ACLU and progressive leaders who are launching a “fight the oligarchs” campaign. Join the resistance movement and go out on the streets and risk arrest as did early Friends. Stand in solidarity with those who are under attack: the LGBTQ+trans community, immigrants, the disabled, federal workers, and people of color.

All of us cannot do all of these things, but each of us can do something. Let’s ask ourselves: what is Spirit leading me to do? And what is Spirit leading us to do collectively?

Dr. King famously said that the struggle for a new world is long and bitter, but beautiful. North Pacific YM reminded us that our holy silence and prophetic witness can birth a new song: “Sing loud, for we have something worth singing about. Sing loud to remind the world what Love has done and what Love can do.”

In friendship,
Anthony Manousos

Member of Orange Grove Friends MeetingCo-founder of Making Housing and Community Happen (makinghousinghappen.org)Blogger: laquaker.blogspot.com