Social Justice Ministry

VOTER EDUCATION & EMPOWERMENT

Deuteronomy 1:13; “Choose for your tribes wise, understanding, and experienced men, and I will appoint them as your heads.”
The Voter Education and Empowerment Subcommittee identifies voter resources and provides educational opportunities to all citizens. We seek to educate everyone on their voting rights, empowering them to exercise these rights at every level of government; municipalities, jurisdictions, regional, local, and national/ electoral and voting/election cycles. We do this through voter registration drives and holding issues forums while simultaneously stressing the importance of taking part in the Census. Additionally, we educate prospective voters and citizens on voter suppression, gerrymandering, and restoration of rights initiatives.

EDUCATION REFORM

Proverbs 1:5; “A wise man will hear and will increase learning, and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsel.”
Proverbs 3:14; “For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.”
The Education Reform Subcommittee increases awareness about the factors affecting our educational system, focusing on the unfair treatment of people of color within the education system. We address the long-standing issues of discriminatory distribution of resources and funding, unjust local/federal educational legislation, the ever-growing achievement gap, and the school-to-prison pipeline. We combat racial inequities by collaborating with ASBC’s ministries, external community partners and with city leadership regarding legislative changes within the DMV. The Social Justice ministry also identifies educational opportunities and resources.

RACIAL HEALING & RECONCILIATION

Micah 6:8, “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
The Racial Healing and Reconciliation Subcommittee promotes justice and equality through strategic community partnerships and alliances with other ministries of the Alfred Street Baptist Church. We provide the church, our community, and all stakeholders with opportunities to expand our understanding of racism as a central root cause of systemic inequality and oppression. Additionally, we foster courageous conversations and practices to facilitate healing and reconciliation, with reparations as a critical part of these conversations.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM

Proverbs 31:8-9, “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.
The Criminal Justice Reform Subcommittee creates opportunities to educate the church and local community on the domino effect of oppressive sentencing guidelines/policies and the continuing impact that mass incarceration has on black and brown people. We perform this work while simultaneously highlighting and addressing the plethora of issues surrounding the needs of Returning Citizens’ and their ability to successfully transition back into society.

ECONOMIC JUSTICE

Proverbs 14:31, “Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.”

Psalm 82: 3-4, “Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked”

The Economic Justice Subcommittee addresses the root causes of economic inequality in our communities by developing awareness and social consciousness of the historical context of economic inequality while identifying and reviewing official policies to ensure a more equitable distribution of funding and resources. Additionally, we create educational opportunities to enhance understanding of economic justice to aid in dismantling a system that fosters conditions of job insecurity, homelessness, and hunger in our society. The subcommittee strives to deepen understanding of economic justice and deconstruct manmade systems not aligned with God’s overarching sovereignty and the inherent dignity that all mankind is made in the image of God

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE

Genesis 1:27-30, 27: So God did just that. He created humanity in His image, created them male and female. 28 Then God blessed them and gave them this directive: “Be fruitful and multiply. Populate the earth. I make you trustees of My estate, so care for My creation and rule over the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, and every creature that roams across the earth. 29 Look! I have given you every seed-bearing plant that grows on the earth and every fruit-bearing tree. They will be your food and nourishment.

Psalm 82:3: “Stand up for the poor and the orphan; advocate for the rights of the afflicted and those in need. 4 Deliver the poor and the needy; rescue them from their evil oppressors

The Environmental Justice subcommittee increases the awareness of the negative generational impacts of environmental racism on black and brown communities. The subcommittee illuminates the disproportionate division of the burdens of human use and/or misuse of the planet as well as the inequitable access to the benefits of its bounty. We work with other subcommittees and church ministries to provide environmental education opportunities; convene community engagement and empowerment events; facilitate local and federal governmental calls to action; and stockpile church and community arsenals with knowledge, tools, and actionable legislative policies to correct and/or mitigate environmental inequities and dismantle the systems that create them.