Faith Moving in the Realms of Social Justice
By Rev. Jessie Faye Manuel
“Never forget that justice is what love looks like in public.” —Dr. Cornel West
Love was not very pretty when I was a child. Walking downtown at the tender age of 12, I noticed that, as white people approached us, my mother would remove us from the sidewalk and look downward. She deferred in the execution of her rights as a human being in favor of the white people who were deemed superior over my community. We couldn’t engage white people in any way and were not allowed to enter the front door of stores or sit in the lower sections of theaters. My experience with white people of the South were cruel, and we (me and my siblings) were warned that at any time we could be accosted unjustly.
Racism permeated my early childhood and only as I began to study the word of God, did I become informed about what was right and what was wrong. I began to understand the frailty of all humanity as it pertains to living the biblical justice edict.
The gospel purportedly written by Matthew, a disciple of Jesus Christ, told of an encounter Jesus had with a lawyer. This is how the conversation went: “‘Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?’ Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments’” (Matthew 22:36-40, NIV).
Another verse that was informative for me while being raised in Point Pleasant Christian Methodist Episcopal Church reads, “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets” (Matthew 7:12, KJV). Thus, early on, I could see the disparities of treatment by white people toward Blacks and other people of color. The practice of the biblical commandment of love and justice was offbase.
Nevertheless, it was my faith that challenged me to consider a higher standard, to judge actions by the actions of Jesus towards others and by the Word of God.
As an adult practitioner of the Christian Faith, I have embraced the challenge to influence how society renders justice to its elderly, its children, and its poor.
The MERCK Manual (Consumer Version) says, “With aging, the ability to do daily activities (functional ability) declines to some degree in every person. Also, older people, on average, tend to have more disorders and disabilities than do younger people. But the changes that accompany aging are more than just changes in health. Social issues (such as living arrangements or type of daily activities) influence an older person’s risk and experience of illness.”
My secular occupation is that of a Licensed Practical Nurse. As such, I primarily work in wound care and surgical clinics, especially for those with certain skin cancers. At one point I even worked in nursing care facilities. Often, I encounter seniors who are neglected by family and in certain cases mistreated by healthcare professionals. It is in these instances that I become an advocate for them, helping them attain the distributive justice they deserve. My faith arms me with the empowerment to stand, even when my job is threatened and my own personal needs are at risk. Knowing the sacrifice of Jesus and all the opposition Jesus faced enables me to stand and support the elderly who are subjected to others’ interpretation of what they need and how they should be treated.
As an African-American mother of six children—who, because of domestic violence, found me in the role of a sole parent—I was forced to witness how children without a traditional family home are stigmatized, bullied, and marginalized. I was determined that my children would receive access to the benefits of American citizenship. It was rough, living on less than minimum wage, and warring against an unfavorable societal image. It was no walk in the park.
I struggled to ensure that social justice initiatives in my community would allow equity as well as equality as it pertained to my children and the children of others facing that same plight. I attended school board meetings, parent-teacher conferences, and school assemblies to ensure I knew the policies and potential opportunities the schools administration granted to such children.
Only after my life as a Christian led me to a calling of pastoral ministry did I come in close contact with issues of poverty. Poverty was one of the single most detrimental things negatively impacting the abundant life of those affected. The government’s handling of issues of poverty was minimal at best and exclusive at its worst. Members in my congregation often complained about the ill treatment they faced when going to City Hall to say, “My bills are too high.” City Council meetings would devolve into a mockery of the poor and elderly who asked for relief in payment of utility bills. Hunger, another of the killers within the community of the poor and marginalized, was often being overlooked or minimized.
Quickly I became educated on who my elected officials were, and I determined that I would represent this community, as well as myself, in those issues which most affected the poor. Coming before the City Council whenever an ordinance was being considered which would adversely affect the poor became a consistent habit.
My faith in God’s Word reminded me that God cares and stirred me to action and advocacy, organizing other ministers to rally against these ordinances to have them changed to favor the least among us.
“If anyone is poor among your fellow Israelites in any of the towns of the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward them. Rather, be open handed and freely lend them whatever they need.” (Deuteronomy 15:7, NIV)
“Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore, I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land.” (Deuteronomy 15:10-11, NIV)
And, “If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” (1 John 3:17-18, NIV)
These scriptural texts helped inform my faith and light the torch of compassion that compelled me to act. And now, as an active member of my community, I write articles that hopefully influence members of the community to live as social justice proponents. From where I sit, every Christian should be engaged in active social justice advocacy.
The very things that Transform Network has expressed as we walk this life of social justice engagement ring true with my experience and praxis:
“We have to intentionally engage in anti-oppression work or we will inadvertently recreate and perpetuate oppression.
We have learned to embrace contemplative spirituality and the inner work of transformation alongside the outer work. We practice together.
We have learned to work at the speed of community. Relationships and communities are the currency and fuel for social transformation.
“We have learned that we will continue to make mistakes but we commit to learning from them and bringing courage to our imperfection.”
For as James would posit,
14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
15 If a brother or sister be naked and destitute of daily food,
16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone
18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. (James 2:14-18, KJV)
Rev. Jessie Faye Manuel is a mother of six children—five sons and a daughter, who are all adults now. She also has 15 grandchildren! She has been a Methodist pastor for 24 years.
(Photo by Rev. Jessie Faye Manuel, used by permission; cover photo above by Miki Jourdan from Flickr)
