Once again, it’s Black History Month, and once again, this country is showing us exactly why we still need it.
On one hand, Donald Trump signed a proclamation “celebrating” Black history. On the other, he issued an executive order banning Black History Month events in federal agencies, alongside MLK Day, Juneteenth, LGBTQ+ Pride, and any other so-called “special observances.”


​At the same time:

• Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) Memo: The DIA issued a directive pausing all “special observances” and banning affinity groups and employee networking groups.
• DOJ Justification: The Justice Department (DOJ) claimed DEI programs "divided Americans by race" and were a "waste of taxpayer dollars."

So which is it?
​
Do you honor Black history, or do you erase it? Do you celebrate our contributions, or do you suppress the truth? The hypocrisy is loud, but the racism is even louder.
Some want to pretend that race is no longer an issue--as if 246 years of slavery, nearly 100 years of Jim Crow, and 50 years of mass incarceration, housing discrimination, and the war on drugs suddenly vanished overnight. Now, the powers that be are telling us to “move on”—to stop talking about race, to stop teaching our history, to stop acting like oppression is still happening.

But here’s the truth:
Racism was, is, and will continue to be a problem until we FIX IT.

Black history isn’t just about the past—it’s about the present and the future. It’s about our resilience, our brilliance, and our undeniable impact on every inch of this country. And we will not be erased.

So, HAPPY BLACK HISTORY MONTH—not because they acknowledge us, but because we acknowledge ourselves. Not because they allow it, but because we demand it.

What Can We Do?The erasure of Black history won’t stop unless we take action. If the government won’t celebrate us, we will celebrate ourselves. If they ban our history, we will teach it anyway.

For Churches:

• Stop being silent. Preach about Black liberation, justice, JOY, and resistance from the pulpit.
• Educate your congregation. Hold Bible studies or special sessions on Black theology, activism, and history.
• Use art and creativity. Highlight Black artists, musicians, and storytellers in worship services.
• Invest in Black businesses and initiatives. Partner with Black-led organizations working for racial justice.

For Communities:

• Support Black educators. Push back against book bans and curriculum restrictions.
• Host Black history events—at libraries, community centers, and even in homes. If they won’t teach it in schools, we’ll teach it ourselves.
• Amplify Black voices. Share our stories, art, and work year-round, not just in February.

For Individuals:

• Buy Black. Support Black businesses, artists, and authors--like my coloring book, Vibrant Voices!
• Speak up. Call out racism when you see it—at work, in schools, in churches, in government.
• Learn and unlearn. Dig deeper into the parts of Black history they don’t want you to know.

This fight isn’t new. Black history IS resistance. And we will keep telling our story--in spite of it all.​

-Rev. Derek 

The recent sermon by Episcopal Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde at the National Prayer Service has sparked much conversation, and rightly so. Addressing President Trump directly, she called for compassion and mercy, especially for those most marginalized by his administration's policies. It was a moment of boldness, truth-telling, and deep faith.

Bishop Budde’s words remind us of what it means to live out our faith authentically in challenging times. As Christians, we are called to follow the example of Jesus, who consistently sided with the oppressed. Jesus was a Palestinian, a minority Jew, lynched by the Roman majority—those with the economic and political power of his time. His life and ministry were rooted in radical love, justice, and solidarity with the marginalized.

It’s not enough for us to simply pray, gather in our churches, or read about justice. We must put our faith into action. As Frederick Douglass once wrote: "I prayed for twenty years but received no answer until I prayed with my legs." Today, we are called to pray with our legs, our mouths, our privilege, our energy, our finances, and our resources.

Praying with our finances means recognizing that money is not just a tool for personal use but a resource that can further justice and equity. Whether it’s donating to organizations advocating for marginalized communities, supporting grassroots movements, or funding initiatives that provide direct relief, our financial stewardship is an essential part of the fight for justice.
The policies being enacted, such as eliminating federal recognition of transgender and nonbinary identities and stripping protections for gender-diverse Americans, are clear acts of oppression. These policies aim to erase, silence, and further marginalize already vulnerable communities. As people of faith, we cannot sit idly by and allow these injustices to continue.

Bishop Budde exemplified courage by speaking directly to power. Her plea for mercy was grounded in love, humility, and a call to unity that does not ignore the fears and needs of the oppressed. Her actions remind us that faith must be lived boldly, even in the face of criticism, hate, or misunderstanding.
We too must step out of our comfort zones and stand with those who are hurting. We must actively resist systems of oppression and create spaces of safety and hope for all. Jesus didn’t call us to remain behind the walls of our churches. He calls us to be out in the world, to embody his love and justice, and to fight for those who cannot fight for themselves.

This is a particularly harsh moment in our nation’s history. Immigrant communities, LGBTQ+ individuals, people of color, and other marginalized groups are bearing the brunt of oppressive policies and rhetoric. It’s not enough to hope for change—we must be the change.

Bishop Budde’s leadership reminds us of the power of speaking truth to power and the importance of engaging in respectful, compassionate discourse. But let us not stop there. Let us act. Let us organize. Let us pray with our legs, our voices, our privilege, our finances, and our resources. Let us show up for those who are hurting, scared, and at risk of losing everything.

In this moment, we need to follow Jesus’ example of radical love and bold action. Now is the time to pray with everything we have. Let us be bold, be brave, and, like Bishop Budde, speak truth in the name of love, justice, and mercy.

-Rev. Derek