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Emerging from four years of hatred, division, racism, and regression guiding federal policies, NETWORK pondered what approach to take in our new policy agenda for the next four years ahead. Through encounters with individuals and communities impacted by federal policy, it has been made clear that our systems are not working for everyone. Too often, this is on purpose. Certain policies and systems seek to widen the income gap, encourage racism, and exclude people based on their identity. Substantial change cannot be made unless we tear down the structures that are oppressing some while benefitting others. We need to dismantle and rebuild, rather than simply reform, in order to eradicate the white male supremacy in our current system. Reform efforts have provided relief in traumatic times, but we must achieve sustainable liberation. As Sister Simone Campbell says, “We need a new imagination to create a way forward in these unprecedented times. What is old is not working and something new needs to emerge.” The racism, sexism, classism, and white supremacy in the American political system has been present since its founding, and there is no way to achieve justice without building a new foundation for a political system, economy, and society that intentionally includes everyone.

Cornerstones are the first stones set in a foundation, and everything else in a structure is built in reference to them. With this in mind, NETWORK has chosen these four cornerstones to Build Anew: Dismantling Systemic Racism, Cultivating Inclusive Community, Rooting Our Economy in Solidarity, and Transforming Our Politics. Upon these foundational values, we can build our country anew through our policies.

Working Against Injustice as People of Faith

We have reached an inflection point in American life when it comes to racism and white supremacy. The truth and harsh realities of systemic racism have been laid bare before our eyes in every aspect of our society, including health care, education, the economy, and policing. The global coronavirus pandemic, economic crisis, and racial reckoning following the murders of Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, and many others have amplified the unjust disparities in our nation. As people of faith, it is long past the time when we must stand against these injustices that distort the image, likeness, and character of God, who created us with purpose and on purpose.

This is particularly personal for me as an African-American woman, mother, ordained clergy, and justice advocate. Racism is a heavy burden for us to bear and it is relentless in its deification of hatred and violence against anyone who is not white. In America, my children are not safe. My family members are not safe. My friends and fellow church members are not safe. I am not safe. And, it is not because we have done anything wrong or because we are criminal minded. We are not safe because of the color of our skin, which is the weapon so many see regardless of our station in life, our love of God, our commitment to our communities, or our devotion to righteousness.

We are late in this endeavor to end systemic racism and white supremacy once and for all. Truly, we should have already eradicated this evil in our midst, this evil which is soaked into the foundation of our country. But, it’s not too late for us to do it now. We must root out systemic racism at its core and chart a new course moving forward. Lent is the perfect time for us to focus on this, to pray about this, to ask God to intervene and move on hearts and minds that we might see the change and be the change we long for in our nation.

Written by Reverend Dr. Leslie Copeland-Tune. Rev. Dr. Copeland-Tune is a leading ecumenical voice and COO of the National Council of Churches USA.