Tuesday, November 12, 2024

Truth and Action Roundup 11.11.24

Welcome to the Truth and Action Roundup, a reliable source of information, inspiration, and action for the post-election period. Did a friend forward you this email? Sign up here to continue receiving it.

It’s Monday, six days after Election Day. On this Veterans Day we honor and thank veterans for their service.

We know the news surrounding the election and incoming Trump administration can feel overwhelming. We pledge to provide you with what we think are the most important news items related to this transition period, key opportunities for action, and spiritual sustenance for the road ahead. The need to count every vote fairly and accurately continues across the country, including in a very close race for a U.S. Senate seat in Pennsylvania. Black students, children, and working professionals across the country have received alarming, racist text messages following the general election. President-elect Donald Trump has announced his choices to fill some key staff positions in his incoming administration. Between now and Inauguration Day, it’s critical for the Biden-Harris administration to work to protect our democracy and prepare the country for the next four years.

While this election may have battered and bruised our hope, we can lean on our faith to anchor us and build resilience and agency amid whatever comes our way.

– Rev. Adam Taylor and Rev. Moya Harris, Sojourners

In the News

Here’s what we know at the time of writing:

1) As we write this, there are key U.S. Senate races where hundreds of thousands of votes have yet to be counted, including in Pennsylvania and Arizona. You can get up-to-date information from the National Task Force on Election Crises on how the post-election process will unfold between now and Inauguration Day. December 11 is the next key date to watch — by which time all counties must certify their votes.

2) Black children, college students, and working professionals around the country have received racist text messages from unknown phone numbers in the days following the general election. These messages have been reported in at least 30 states and the District of Columbia. Federal and state authorities are investigating, including the role played by the anonymous texting platform TextNow, which at least some of the perpetrators appear to have used.

3) President-elect Donald Trump has announced his intention to appoint Thomas Homan, the former acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), to serve as a “border czar” for his administration. He is expected to be part of White House staff, meaning his appointment will not be subject to Senate confirmation, and will reportedly be charged with leading the mass deportation efforts Trump has promised.

A red, white, and blue collage of a donkey, elephant, courthouse, capitol building, along with the preamble of the U.S. Constitution

Take Action

Family Preparedness Plan: It’s a good idea for every family to plan for how to protect their loved ones amid the stress and uncertainty that lies ahead. For immigrant and mixed status families, creating a family preparedness plan may be a good idea. This template created by the Immigrant Legal Resource Center is a good starting place.
Reach out to your community: Resist the urge to isolate yourself this week. Make a plan to connect: who can you text? Who should you call for a conversation? Can you make plans to meet an old friend for coffee in the coming days? Is there a ministry or service group who needs some extra hands this month? Little connections can help re-orient our identity in uncertain times.

Deep Breaths

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. – Hebrews 13:8 NRVSUE

I have always thought of myself as resilient on the water — until I went out on the ocean. The waves rocked in every direction and people were succumbing to sickness all around me. Most retreated below deck — which is the worst thing you can do, but I was told to focus on the horizon. “If you focus on what is unchanging, your head will stabilize the rest of you even as your feet keep you balanced.”

So that’s what I did. And it worked. I didn’t get sick. I even had the joy of watching dolphins jump in front of the bow, playing with the movement of the boat.

Many of us feel like we’re on roughening seas. It is easy to let the shifting ground mess with our heads and make us sick. Instead of withdrawing from the waves and heading below deck, we must focus on what is unchanging in these rough seas. God’s promise to us remains: I am with you where you are. Look up, hold on, and remain steadfast as we navigate deep waters.

As you begin your week, make a conscious decision to hold on to the unchanging, powerful, loving nature of God. Leaning into our faith can stabilize us in moments of grief and confusion and can even reveal moments of joy.

Today's hymn is “Hold to God’s Unchanging Hand” by Jennie Wilson. You can find an uplifting playlist for the week here.

— Rev. Dr. Andrea Saccoccio, Director of Congregational Education and Outreach and Rev. Moya Harris, Director of Racial Justice, Sojourners

The Truth and Action Roundup is compiled by Sojourners staff:
President: Rev. Adam Russell Taylor
Director of Racial Justice: Rev. Moya Harris
Senior Research Associate: J.K. Granberg-Michaelson
Senior Adviser and Director to the President's Office: Elizabeth Denlinger Reaves
Director of Campaigns and Mobilizing: Sandy Ovalle Martínez
Director of Congregational Outreach & Education: Rev. Andrea Saccoccio
Digital Communications Associate: Lexi Schnaser
Senior Director of Marketing: Sandra Sims