Columnist Rev. Andrea Ayvazian: ‘I feel like going on’: Time to mobilize

The Rev. Andrea Ayvazian
Published: 11-15-2024 2:58 PM |
If part of your post-election self-care regime is to stop reading commentary about the election, I invite you to stop reading this column now. And I support your decision to do so. For the rest of you diehards, some thoughts from this tired and worried community member.
Watching the election results come in, I felt like I was hemorrhaging — like my life force and very soul were leaving by body. I have felt gutted, angry, and afraid. And so I have done a number of things to find my center again. I am speaking as a person of faith.
First, I gathered with others — parishioners, friends, family, and colleagues. We wept and talked, hugged and ate together. Maybe you have done that as well. It helped me, and may have helped you.
Second, I dipped into the Bible and read portions of the Book of Lamentations and the Psalms, and remembered that people have risen up and fought against oppression, enslavement, and empire for millennia.
Third, because I serve an African American church in Springfield, we all have prayer partners. So I called my prayer partner, a 92-year-old Black woman named Mrs. Jimmie Wilson. After lamenting together, Mrs. Wilson said, “God has a plan.” Then she said, “And we are God’s plan.”
I believe we are God’s plan. We are God’s hands and feet in this beautiful but broken world. Mrs. Wilson also said: “Promise me you’ll pray and sing.” I promised her that I would.
When we hung up, I prayed for the people who will now suffer and die because of the policies carried out by the next administration.
Then I started singing out loud a song we sing so often in our church. “I Feel Like Going On,” by Bishop Marvin Winans. I found it on YouTube and I have played and sung it countless times since Election Day.
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I feel like going on
I feel like going on
Though trials may come on every hand
I feel like going on.
Through prayer and song, I have found my center again, somewhat. The question then arises: What now? Here are several thoughts I have about next steps as we move forward.
First, I believe, people will need to form affinity groups — action groups of eight, 10, or 12 people who work together, bond together, develop trust, and prepare to respond quickly to crises. These solid action-oriented groups can encircle those who will suffer and whose lives could be threatened due to the incoming administration.
Close, trusting affinity groups can mobilize quickly to protect immigrants, trans people, pregnant people, women, Muslims, Jews, people with disabilities, people of color — those who will be attacked, deported, penalized, or threatened. Affinity groups could be prepared to flood airports again if there are Muslim bans, shelter refugees, file court cases, accompany women heading for clinics, provide sanctuary in houses of worship, and protect those at the border. Strong affinity groups could respond quickly with head, heart, and hands.
Second, I think those of us with financial means who live comfortably and have a financial cushion may need to tighten our belts and direct significant resources to fund the work of resistance and change. We may need to make sacrifices. People with money will have to fund grassroots organizing, pay lawyers to file lawsuits, financially support those going to help at the border, fund safe houses, underwrite travel expenses for women who need to cross state lines for medical care, and more. Those with wealth may need to be ready to redirect significant dollars to help keep people safe and protected.
Third, I think we need to work on the state level and hold elected officials accountable. It is on the state level that we can pass legislation to protect civil rights and human rights, institute police reform, pass gun safety bills, secure reproductive freedom and gender affirming care, and more.
Fourth, I think we will need to be trained in non-violent communication as well as nonviolent direct action so we are prepared to engage in acts of civil disobedience (CD) if that is needed. Large CD actions, so effective in years past, may return with people going to jail in big numbers.
We need to be prepared to be inconvenienced and uncomfortable. I am speaking to those of us with white skin privilege — those who are not in targeted and vulnerable communities. I am strongly in favor of trainings in non-violent communication and in preparation for nonviolent direct action.
Finally, the prophet Micah said: “Do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God.” I want to focus on the “walk humbly” message that echoes through the ages.
I think we need to listen deeply to those who feel invisible and unheard. We need to go where we have not gone before and reach out. We can learn from the Braver Angels model of listening with the ears of our heart, dropping judgment, and extending a hand. Walk humbly may involve connecting with those unlike ourselves, being of service, and listening.
We have hard work ahead. It is a blessing that we were made for hard work. We will find our way: we have each other. Take good care of your good hearts.
The Rev. Andrea Ayvazian, Ministerial Team, Alden Baptist Church, Springfield, is also founder and director of the Sojourner Truth School for Social Change Leadership.