Join Justice Not Jails First Thursday’s for IMMIGRATION IS A BLACK ISSUE
Thursday, October 7 | 6:30-8:00PM
Rev. Kelvin Sauls, Prophetic Leader, former Pastor of Holman UMC and co-founder and Board Chair Emeritus of Black Alliance for Just Immigration
Maraky Alemseged, Black Alliance for Just Immigration, Mutual Aid Associate
Join us and our special guests as we discuss the struggles of Black immigrants and how racialized U.S. immigration policies result in immigrants of African descent being systematically precluded from entering the U.S., and upon entry, they are disproportionately detained and deported by ICE.
Also, learn how you and your faith community can get involved to demand the fair treatment of immigrants of color and put pressure on the U.S. government to end its racialization and criminalization of Black immigrants.
JNJ Agenda Spiritual Centering: Welcoming the Stranger IM4HI-Values and Mission Shared Stories from immigrants Real Talk with Rev. Kelvin Sauls and Maraky Alemseged Q & A Call to Action
History— the stories we tell about the events of the past— impacts the way we interpret the events of the present, and the way we shape the events of our future. The Faith and Race Timeline, created by the Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity, invites us to see the threads and throughlines between the past and the present, and across different impacted communities, to help us identify the patterns of oppression and resistance.
This timeline documents key moments of racial oppression enacted in the United States that laid the tracks for our current immigration and incarceration policies, marking significant moments which criminalize the existence and strategies for survival of indigenous peoples, Black Americans and other communities of color.
This timeline is also about faith, religions, and spiritual values. In creating this timeline we recognize white supremacy’s power to use faith, specifically Christianity, as its tool. Throughout the timeline, we highlight how religion, as practiced by people of faith, perpetuated racial oppression and racial hierarchy. At the same time, we also document when persons inspired by their spiritual values were able to sustain life and use it to confront and dismantle racism.
As people of faith, we recognize that each of us have different work to do towards creating a beloved community, depending on how racism, racial superiority and systemic oppression has impacted us differently. As people of faith, we invite you to engage with this timeline to learn these histories, as a step toward liberation where all can live with dignity and wholeness.
There is important work to be done in faith communities towards building multiracial justice and solidarity to eradicate racism and systemic oppression. We hope this timeline can be a tool towards that end.
2: Displacement and Resistance of Indigenous People
3: The Slave Trade, The Creation of Race, and the Thread of Anti-Blackness Into the Present
4. Citizenship and the Establishment of Whiteness
5. Family Separation as National Policy (Immigration and Incarceration)
6. The Use of Jails and Prisons to Address Social Issues
7. US Expansion and the Root Causes of Forced Migration
8. The Economics of Immigration and Incarceration
Use this timeline for personal learning and reflection, in a group setting, or in education and worship contexts. Reflection questions are embedded in the timeline to reflect on faith and race. We ask that when using any part of the timeline in public settings, please acknowledge “Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity: Faith and Race Timeline,” and let us know what you think and how you are using it. Please fill out this brief google form to let us know how you are putting it to use. We will stay in touch with you about additional resources.
Change will happen when everyone is aware of the injustice that exists within our immigrant communities and families. We have so much power, more than we even know. We can and will help change this country’s immigration system. We the youth are the future. We must stand together to help keep our families and communities together.
–-Hulissa Aguilar, IM4HI Summer Youth Intern 2021
IM4HI walks alongside immigrants as they bravely navigate this country’s inhumane policies and practices. It is particularly challenging for those who have to navigate both systems of incarceration and immigrant detention, and the ongoing collaboration between.
Children and youth are especially impacted. Not only are they harmed by the prolonged separation from their parents, the years of emotional toil as they navigate the confusing immigration system, and also the uncertainty that this tumultuous journey will never end. Stable environments are critical so that children can learn and grow. The immigration and incarceration systems in this country do not take into consideration the devastating and traumatic impact on the youth and children of those they detain.
Youth are not passive victims of the immigration system but they are also agents of change. Youth are stepping up and fighting back to create their own vision for justice and freedom.
With the leadership of our Summer Youth Intern, Hulissa Aguilar, beginning with her own journey advocating for her father after he was transferred into ICE custody, the youth voice is finally being heard.
Hulissa Aguilar is joined by other youth outside of Senator Harris’ office calling for an end to family separation, during a foot washing ritual led by IM4HI, April 2018.
Youth are advocating to ensure their beloved fathers, mothers, and loved ones, can come home to their family and community, after earning release from prison and jail: something that Hulissa’s father Hugo, was not able to experience. The VISION Act (AB 937) authored by Assembly member Wendy Carillo and co-authored by 25 other State Assembly members and senators, is a bold, visionary policy that is on the brink of passing through the State Senate, and then on to Governor Newsom’s desk.
Add your voice to the voices of youth calling for the passage of the VISION Act and support their actions for freedom and wholeness for their families.
Watch and Retweet the Youth Video here. This week, August 23-26, we need State Senator Portantino, the chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, to hear the youth voice who are calling to stop ICE transfers.
— Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity (@4humanintegrity) August 12, 2021
Hear the Youth’s Stories and Reflection: On September 1st, 5:30, the youth will release the digital version of their zine – We The Youth Zine: stories of youth impacted by immigration. More info here.
Youth have a stake in the future of our immigration system. They are some of the most harshly impacted and are also one of the most powerful voices for change.
Together, with us, you can help amplify their voice and witness their journey.
