The people have spoken. In 2016 Trump lost the popular vote, but this year he won it. It didn’t matter that he was convicted of crimes. It didn’t matter that he inspired the worst among us by inciting racism, bigotry, sexism and creating a mood of indecency at his rallies. It didn’t matter that he made indecent gestures at a rally and you wouldn’t want your children to emulate them or him. The majority of Americans supported it and there’s no going back. Trump has ushered in a new era in American politics that will change the landscape for years to come.
His supporters responded to the vitriol and honored what they perceived to be a no nonsense guttural approach to discourse. The day after the election, the gloating began. A tech genius sent out robo calls to blacks saying, “Get ready to start picking cotton again.” I also learned that the gay community was greeted with the news by Trump supporters gay bashing them because of their sexual orientation.
It gives me pause. What do we stand for? Does character really matter in our society? How do we stand with the most vulnerable among us when they themselves supported Trump? At work we commiserated and saw the uncertainty written on our colleagues faces. Students were sad and angry and a few teachers spent time helping them process what this means to them. We decided to invite whomever wanted to join us to process what the election meant to them. My colleagues Anna, Jim and I wrote the following:
“Dear Friends,
We know that people are experiencing a number of emotions as a result of the election. We in Campus Ministry want to be present for those who need any support or consolation – those who feel discouraged, or disheartened, those who are confused, and those who are seeking to understand what this means for them.
We are here for one another. As Christians, we are called to be a light for others. Our community has been a “shining city on the hill” because we allow the light of others to shine as one light in Christ. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that.” Although we may be fumbling in the dark trying to sort out what this means for our community, our city, and our country, we are the healing balm for one another. The light of Christ guides the way.
Additionally, in the spirit of Christ, we call for Catholics to be reminded of Matthew 25: “Whatever you do to the least of these, you do unto me.” We “welcome the stranger, we feed the hungry, we give drink to the thirsty, we clothe the naked and welcome the stranger and care for the widow and orphan.”
As campus ministers, we wrestle with the following questions now more than ever:
What/who do we stand for?
What do we stand against?
What is campus ministry for?
With Jesus, we stand in solidarity with people of color, people of all religions and faith traditions, immigrants and refugees, the wrongfully incarcerated, cisgender and transgender women, the LGBTQIA+ community, people with physical and mental disabilities, people experiencing homelessness, and those who do not see themselves represented by this administration in any capacity.
We do not stand for bigotry, prejudice, or hate, whether overt or covert. We are here to serve the students of Saint Martin de Porres, and we invite you to examine your own spiritual landscape, whether it is your morality and values or your grief. We aim to be a safe space for those who grieve and a brave space for those to grow. Together we walk in compassion and love.
Campus Ministry does not intend to be silent in the face of any misogyny, racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, and any and all avenues for hatred. Christ is and will remain present in Campus Ministry as the embodiment of peace and justice, not a tool to control and persuade into fear. Christ is an example of one who stood with people on the margins, the oppressed, the persecuted. The philosophy of Christ is one that calls us deeper into a sustained love and an insistence on justice in the midst of hypocrisy. Jesus went into the temple and flipped tables. He was not meek and passive.
We will gather today, Thursday, November 7th in the chapel at 3:30 p.m. All are welcome.
Please join us if you would like to share, cry, talk, listen, or just sit quietly.
If you would prefer to chat quietly one-on-one, we’re here.
We remain yours in Christ,
Campus Ministry”
Where do we stand? How do we stand with others? For me, the work goes on and hasn’t changed. We stand to support those who are suffering and alleviate suffering wherever we go. We have no choice. There is no changing the world and changing minds. There is only addressing the world on the world’s terms and bringing more light in your own unique way.
spirit beat 