Last month, FCNL General Secretary Bridget Moix traveled to South Africa for a global gathering of Quakers from more than 50 countries.
It was an opportunity to forge connections, affirm our collective humanity, and discuss how to work in solidarity to tackle our shared challenges.
“Finding unity together across our global differences is not always easy. But there is great unity around the need for us to work together to build a better world,” Bridget wrote in a column for the Religion News Service.
The gathering was also an opportunity to reflect on our country’s global role, and how we can help shape U.S. policies that impact the lives of everyone in the world.
“Quakers around the world want our policymakers to invest in the tools of diplomacy, development, and protecting the planet — not more weapons and war,” Bridget wrote.
As one of the wealthiest and most powerful nations, the United States has a particular responsibility to promote cooperation over division, peace over militarism, and justice over oppression and inequality.
Unfortunately, we must admit our failure on many issues, from our inaction on the climate crisis to our complicity in the atrocities in Gaza.
As FCNL’s Anika Forrest wrote in Inkstick Media this week, we are also failing to uphold our values on the issue of migration.
“Migration is the legacy of this nation, with a promise of refuge to individuals yearning to breathe free in a new home. Yet, the U.S. is abandoning that core commitment,” Anika wrote.
We can do better, especially at a time of violent conflict and atrocities, persecution, human rights violations, and climate and environmental disasters. The United States must “lead the world with conviction on proven humane migration solutions” she wrote.
The U.S. can lead in other areas too, not with militarism and domination, but by showing humility, respect, solidarity, and an unwavering commitment to peace and justice everywhere.
Elsewhere
Back-to-school Action for Truth and Healing
School is back in session this month. For many Native communities, this is a painful reminder of the boarding school era. For decades, Native children were taken from their families and sent to boarding schools to destroy their cultures.
Congress has never acknowledged its role in funding and supporting these abusive schools. Native advocates and allies are working to change that while survivors are still alive. Join us during this critical month to push Congress to pass the Truth and Healing Commission Bill!
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Support Quakers Uprooting Racism
FCNL is helping to build a cadre of grassroot racial justice changemakers through the Quaker Coalition to Uproot Racism (QCUR), a collaborative project with five other national Quaker organizations. Through QCUR, we have helped recruit and train changemakers to confront white supremacy culture and support racial equity. Today, September 6, is the last day your gift will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $15,000 to support QCUR’s work. Give today to double your donation!
Cycles of Violence in Palestine
We’re deeply saddened by the murder of six Israeli hostages by Hamas this week, including Israeli American citizen Hersh Goldberg-Polin. We’re also appalled by the killing of Aysenur Eygi, an American woman who was reportedly shot by Israeli forces during a demonstration in the occupied West Bank.
All remaining hostages must be freed. Israel’s catastrophic war in Gaza and violence in the West Bank must stop. Ultimately, the occupation must end. That is the way out of this cycle of violence.
We stand with the thousands of people in Israel, the U.S., and across the world demanding a ceasefire now. The U.S. must use our leverage for peace. As U.S. weapons continue to cause catastrophic harm in Gaza, FCNL and 24 partner organizations sent a letter to President Joe Biden this week demanding again an immediate halt to arms shipments to Israel.
