1st Three Grants Awarded in Campaign for Racial Justice

1st Three Grants Awarded in Campaign for Racial Justice

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Three weeks ago, as America’s passion for freedom seemed finally to embrace black Americans, The Jonah Maccabee Foundation began our Campaign for Racial Justice.

We’re pleased to share with you that the following grants have been awarded because of your generosity:

  1. The Equal Justice Initiative in Montgomery, Alabama, is committed to ending mass incarceration and excessive punishment in the United States, to challenging racial and economic injustice, and to protecting basic human rights for the most vulnerable people in American society.
  2. The Poor People’s Campaign, co-chaired by Rev. Dr. William Barber, II, and Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis, advocates on behalf of the 140 million poor and low-wealth people in our nation — from every race, creed, color, sexuality and place — agitating from coast-to-coast “to challenge the lie of scarcity in the midst of abundance.” You can sign their open letter to lawmakers, which calls for the protection and expansion of the right to vote, consequences for abuses of police power, demilitarization of the police and an end to mass incarceration, universal healthcare for all (especially during the COVID-19 pandemic), and the establishment of a National Truth Commission on the violence of systemic racism.
  3. Fair Fight is an organization founded by Stacey Abrams (former Georgia congresswoman and gubernatorial candidate) to combat voter suppression of voters of color and young voters. Fair Fight promotes fair elections, encourages voter participation, and educates voters about elections and their voting rights.

We are so proud to support these three organizations, and grateful to have your support during our Campaign for Racial Justice in making these grants possible.

Optional reading, a few thoughts of Billy’s about the world right now …

We’re living in a moment, an ever-changing moment that, up until a few weeks ago, had seemed like a sci-fi movie of the week: a dangerous virus is let loose on the other side of the world, contagion spreads across the globe, and vast numbers of people die while entire populations lock down inside their homes praying that a vaccine will be discovered and life will return to normal. Then, just as we were thinking we’ve got this under control, a virus called anti-blackness reminded how we don’t have it under control. Originally, this virus was let loose on American shores in the 15th century and (continuing far beyond our national proclamation in 1862 that black lives matter) and persisted right up to now. We can draw a direct line from the trans-Atlantic slave trade (when the white people of America first came to devalue the life of a dark-skinned human) to the knee on George Floyd’s neck that robbed him of his freedom and his life. No, we most certainly do not have it under control! In my religious tradition, we believe that every human being is created in God’s image, that no one should have to endure prejudiced actions that deprive them of basic needs like decent housing and health care, and they certainly don’t deserve to be brutally punished for their skin color. I’m honored and humbled to be alive at a time when so many Americans (of all colors) are making it clear that it’s time for us all to change.

Won’t you join our Campaign for Racial Justice and help us provide grants to organizations that are working to ensure that justice is served and systemic change can be effected throughout our nation?

The Jonah Maccabee Foundation has promised to honor Jonah’s life by “turning love into action.” We are humbled to be your partner in working for sustained meaningful change in our society. Thank you for supporting our Campaign for Racial Justice.

We continue to miss Jonah and to feel grateful: a) that we had him in our lives; and, b) that he’s inspired us to do good stuff in his name.

Very sincerely,
Ellen, Billy, Aiden, Katie and Mark
The Jonah Maccabee Foundation

Billy1st Three Grants Awarded in Campaign for Racial Justice

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