Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity
On Tuesday, September 5, 2017 a great diversity of people and faith leaders came together in solidarity after the announcement of DACA’s rescind. We prayed, marched and pledged to continue organizing.
I have been in this place before, feeling anxiety because of the plans I have for my career, supporting my family, and the ways I want to grow in my community seem out of my control and in the hands of the U.S. Congress.
It was December 2010, very close to Christmas, and I was being invited to meditate on the prophetic message of Hope and the people who live in darkness being embellished by a divine light. Yet, the night before Congress’ decision on the DREAM Act, I grieved profoundly. I lamented to God, “Show me this light that pierces through the darkness because I don’t see it or feel its warmth!”
I wanted this light to be an extraordinary miracle of changing the hearts of the Senators to embrace me as an American and grant me a relief in my immigration status. After grieving, silence was what pierced my heart’s gloom and the extraordinary happened. It was my heart that shifted and I understood this divine light was within me and will never go away. The light of Hope embellished me and made me aware that even when the external circumstances are so pessimistic, I AM ALIVE. The light of Hope revealed, “I AM TALENTED” and my dignity is not measured by my immigration status. The light of Hope unveiled, “I AM LIVING MY DREAM” of making a difference in my community as I empower young people of color through telling my story and in organizing.
I have been in this place before; the threats of 10 Senators to take away the limited and temporary relief of DACA. It seems that once again my dream of unfolding my vocation, of being a minister is not in my grasp, and my sense of safety and belonging in the U.S.A. is in the hands of others. Yet, I go back to that enveloping silence and the divine light of Hope that is rekindled: I AM ALIVE, I AM TALENTED, I AM LIVING MY DREAM.
Now, this place of anxiety of the unknown has become a spiritual crossroad. Not as much as to what path to take, but whether to react or not to respond. On the one hand, I can react by repressing my emotions and working extra-long hours to prove to myself and others that I am worthy; yet I am exhausted, anxious, and completely unfocused.
On the other hand, I can respond first and foremost to myself by listening in silence to validate my own vulnerability and to be held by the God of compassion. In the silence I write a list of people who have walked with me since I discovered that I am a victim of a broken immigration system and my childhood country just won’t open their hearts to see “us” as one of them. In my list I have my parents, teachers, friends, community of faith, and others. Although I choose to be in solitude, this list proves I am not alone.
The next step is to call a person from my community of faith and ask if she can simply listen and be with me. I want to let her know she holds a sacred space for my vulnerability and is a witness to the light that continues to shine in the darkness. As a young adult, working in ministry and finishing a Master’s Degree in Divinity, it is time for me to be ministered to and held by my community of Faith.
There are now 800,000 persons, who like me, are trying to process our anxiety as DACA is threatened. For us, this feeling of not belonging will continue until we are given an immigration status; but for now we will have to handle our anxiety again. Will communities of faith, sanctuary congregations, and sacred spaces stand with us? Will they provide open doors to spaces of silence, prayer, listening, and affirmation? This is our call to action that will rekindle the light that shines in every one of us when the darkness looms over us again and again.
Miriam Noriega is the program assistant in the Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity Northern California office. She grew up in a first-generation immigrant household and is pursuing a Master’s of Divinity Degree at the Jesuit School of Theology at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley.
Photograph by United We Dream
Every day the United States has an opportunity to move closer to the real ideals of the founders of this nation. Unfortunately, the esteemed documents that laid the foundation of this country lose meaning when actions and rhetoric form conditions for residents and citizens that deny our full humanity and value. Today, our nation faces the dangerous reality for Muslim members of our society who are falsely accused and denigrated by extremist groups that dare to ignore America’s true greatness found within our diverse population.
In recent days we have witnessed public acts of violence organized and motivated by fear that boils over and is fueled by hatred. I was very concerned to learn more rallies were planned to target Muslim Americans. I’m relieved to know far-right extremist group ACT for America has cancelled their rallies, but still worried about their decision to focus on online “protests” instead.
Determined to ignore the social and political progress our nation has made since its inception and the great strides gained through decades of the civil rights movement, anti-war movement, women’s rights movement, LGBTQ liberation movement, and freedom of religion guaranteed in our Constitution, a band of frightened, misguided individuals want to reverse America’s great attributes and reduce access to the blooming opportunities that offer hope to all her people.
Islam is a faith that lives within the Abrahamic family from Moses to Muhammad (PBUH). Between those patriarchs Jesus led a religious movement that sought to forge a peaceful world by honoring all human life as sacred. Thus, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam share the same roots and recognize the belief in one God who formed every human being in the Divine Image (Imago Dei).
Today, we are faced with a choice as a nation about which way we will go. Will we seek unity among our diversity and follow the wisdom embedded in our nation’s Constitution? Or, will we dive into the abyss of fear and blindly allow voices of hatred to lead us to the cliff of division and disaster?
Now is a time to build community through understanding and friendship. We have an opportunity to learn more about Islam by getting to know our Muslim neighbors. Like many Americans who came to this country, our Muslim neighbors bring visions of hope and dreams of new opportunities. They follow the footsteps of many great people who preceded them and courageously left their homelands in search of a better way of life.
Islam is deeply-rooted in “The Way of Peace.” Through knowledge of science, mathematics, medicine, and technology, many of our Muslim neighbors bring expertise to the emerging arena of modern industry. They represent the global reality of mass mobility and the transference of skills, talents, and human resources.
Instead of baiting and promoting ill-fated schemes that make false distinctions and isolate individuals and religious groups, we have the opportunity to deepen our understanding, overcome our fears, and broaden our values as a hospitable society that continues a long tradition of welcoming strangers, earning trust, and making America stronger.
Too many brave warriors have fallen and made the ultimate sacrifice to preserve a free and open society as a safe haven for the weary, frightened, and maligned persons who seek freedom. We honor their courage by avoiding the missteps, traps, and seduction of fear and hatred. Our country is great when we “love our neighbor as we love ourselves.”
We hold this conviction as the Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity, “Every human person is sacred across all borders.”
Let’s all breathe a sigh of relief that ACT for America has cancelled their planned anti-Muslim rallies. But we can’t let up in our defense of the Constitution and American values either. We will face more marches, more candidates and more provocative media outlets that try to divide us and exploit fear. As we meet each moment and each awful tweet, let us rise with love, open hearts and minds, and let us become the people we believe Americans can be when we come together across our many diverse backgrounds.
Rev. Dr. Art Cribbs is the Executive Director of the Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity and pastor of the Los Angeles Filipino American United Church of Christ.