Jim Wallis on Poverty, Racism and COVID-19
How do we protect those most vulnerable to poverty and racism? Originally aired in April 2020, Sojourners’ Founder Jim Wallis...
About This Episode
How do we protect those most vulnerable to poverty and racism? Originally aired in April 2020, Sojourners' Founder Jim Wallis explains how the COVID-19 pandemic exposed the inequities in our society. “Poverty and racism are preexisting conditions that help you get the disease,” says Wallis. “How can we redeem this time for not just immediate response… but also how this will change us – how we act, how we lead, what we do now - going forward. History is being changed by this, so how will those changes result in our being different going forward?” Wallis reflects on the need for leadership, now more than ever. “SNAP [the federal food stamp program] is maybe the most effective way to serve people’s immediate needs and revitalize the economy at the same time... What’s clear that government is the only place big enough to respond at a time like this. We need politicians from both sides of the aisle to prioritize poor people,” he believes.Resources and Mentions:
Jim Wallis
Inaugural Chair in Faith and Justice
Jim Wallis is a New York Times bestselling author, public theologian, speaker, and international commentator on ethics and public life. He is currently the inaugural Chair in Faith and Justice at Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy. He is Founder of Sojourners, a faith -based social Justiice organization, where he served for as president for 50 years. He served on President Obama's White House Advisory Council on Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships and was former vice chair of, and currently serves on, the Global Agenda Council on Values of the World Economic Forum.
Sojourners
https://sojo.net/Sojourners' mission is to articulate the biblical call to social justice, to inspire hope and build a movement to transform individuals, communities, the church, and the world. They envision a future in which Christians put their faith into action in the passionate pursuit of social justice, peace, and environmental stewardship, working in partnership with people of other perspectives, for the common good of communities, families and individuals. We articulate that vision, convene and mobilize constituencies, and build alliances for effective advocacy. Sojourners magazine and Sojourners online publication sit at the intersection of faith, politics, and culture. Our coverage goes beyond the trending headlines to uncover and explore in depth the hidden injustices in the world around us.
Center on Faith and Justice
https://faithandjustice.georgetown.edu/Grounded in the mandate of Matthew 25 to focus on the “least of these” and committed to pursue the Gospel values of justice and peace, the Center on Faith and Justice will advance a deeper understanding and integration of faith and moral public policy into our political and civil discourse, help to reshape the nation’s political narrative, and advocate for more compassionate and just policies that prioritize the needs of historically marginalized people and communities and increases their ability to thrive and flourish.
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