Loving Your Enemies: A Solidarity Workshop for Allies

It is much harder for transgender Americans to live openly and safely. With federal changes to passport and health care access, at the state level, 1,011 anti-trans bills were introduced in 49 states. These bills range from blocking trans access to basic healthcare, education, legal recognition, and the right to publicly exist. In cities across the U.S., federal officials are turning to militaristic, violent tactics to carry out immigration enforcement. Students are abducted in broad daylight, families and children are separated, and even U.S. citizens swept up are held without due process. These two distinctive narratives converged this November, as families opened the USDA website to check on SNAP status were met with a partisan message blaming Democrats, immigrants and transgender people for the government shutdown. In an era where trans and immigrant visibility is no longer safe, and public political discourse has ventured into shame and othering, we invite allies into conversation about what solidarity and bridgebuilding means as a community practice. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s “Loving Your Enemies” sermon provides some helpful points as we navigate challenges and opportunities for allyship. Participants will be split into small-group discussions. https://kinginstitute.stanford.edu/king-papers/documents/loving-your-enemies-sermon-delivered-dexter-avenue-baptist-church

Presenters:  Jenna Dela Cruz Vendil, Associate Director of Democratic Engagement and Student Activism; Anthony Del Real, Assistant Director of LGBTQ+ Programs, Student Center for Belonging & Community

Sponsor: Harward Center for Community Partnerships; Student Center for Belonging & Community

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Host or Publisher Martin Luther King Jr Planning Committee