Last year, President Joe Biden signed into law long-overdue legislation designating Juneteenth a federal holiday. Americans come together this weekend to commemorate the liberation of enslaved people and honor the invaluable contributions of Black culture and history. This week on State of Belief, Interfaith Alliance’s weekly radio show and podcast, we’ll discuss the meaning of Juneteenth and which lessons to carry forward in the enduring struggle for justice and equality.
The unprecedented reckoning ignited by the murder of George Floyd propelled Juneteenth into our national consciousness, but the occasion is by no means a new phenomenon. In fact, Black Americans and abolitionists have celebrated Juneteenth since the late 1800s. Tiauna Webb, director of missions and programs at the Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference, will sit down with Rabbi Jack Moline, filling in for State of Belief host Rev. Welton Gaddy, to examine the origins of Juneteenth and how faith leaders can help advance racial justice. The Conference is sponsoring an all-star Juneteenth celebration at Carnegie Hall in New York City.
The sweeping attacks on LGBTQ+ people nationwide demand a collective response from Americans of faith and conscience. Partnering with allied organizations, Interfaith Alliance has spearheaded the Faith for Pride initiative throughout this month to demonstrate how faith communities are standing up for the rights of their neighbors. Tinsley Murphy, Federal Policy Associate, and Kate Hoeting, Writer and Managing Editor for partner organization Catholics for Choice, will join Jack to discuss the importance of Catholics joining the fight for LGBTQ+ equality.
It’s been a bittersweet week here at Interfaith Alliance. After more than seven years defending faith and freedom at our helm, Jack has retired. Luckily for us, the mission is in capable hands with a new interim President and CEO, The Rev. Dr. Katharine Henderson. An experienced leader in the interfaith movement for justice, Katharine led Auburn Seminary for over a decade. Katharine joins Jack in conversation about the high stakes for multifaith religious freedom going forward.
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