SCLC Magazine - Fall 2024 Issue

Fall 2024 Issue

National Magazine

RACIAL TENSION GUN CONTROL

PROJEC T 2025 EDUCATION

HEALTHCARE

ABORTION RIGHTS

ECONOMIC INEQUALITY

Cracks in the Union: A Nation Divided SCLC National Magazine/Fall 2024 Issue

In Honor of

Dr. Martin Luther

King Jr. 1929 – 1968

Gray Television and our employees honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. May his wisdom, words and dreams continue to shape our hearts and minds for years to come.

SCLC National Magazine/Fall 2024 Issue

Table of Contents

GET IN THE GAME

5 DeMark Liggins, Sr. President’s Corner

VOTE

GET IN THE GAME

9 Dr. Bernard LaFayette, Jr. Chairman’s Corner 11 The Criminal Justice System and Black Americans Under Project 2025

NBA.COM/ELECTIONS

15 The Healthcare Crisis and Black Americans under Project 2025 19 Voting Rights Act

By Josephine Mourning 31 Project 2025 and the Economic Inequality 35 Project 2025 and the Black Church

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NATION AL EX ECUTIVE OF F I CE R S

DeMark Liggins, Sr President & CEO

Martin Luther King Jr. Founding President

Dr. Bernard LaFayette, Jr Chairman

Ralph D. Abernathy President 1968 - 1977

Fred L. Shuttlesworth President 2004

Joseph E. Lowery President 1977 - 1997

Dr. Charles Steele, Jr. President Emeritus

SCLC National Magazine/Fall 2024 Issue

Martin Luther King III President 1998 - 2003

Howard Creecy Jr. President 2011

PRESIDEN T’S CORN ER

A Call to Action in a Defining Moment By: DeMark Liggins, SCLC National President & CEO It is with great humility, honor, and a profound sense of responsibility that I write to you as the newly elected President and CEO of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). This is a moment that fills me with immense pride as we continue to walk in the footsteps of our great leaders, from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to Ralph David Abernathy.

The history of the SCLC is one marked by tireless efforts, a relentless pursuit of justice, and a deep love for humanity, all fueled by the spirit of service and nonviolent resistance. I am excited, humbled, and deeply grateful to serve in this role.

However, as much as I would love to take a moment to celebrate, we simply do not have that luxury right now. We are in the midst of a consequential election season, one that carries weight not just for the next four years, but potentially for the next generation. The stark contrast between the visions for our nation’s future has never been clearer. This election is about more than politics—it is about the soul of America. It is about who we are as a people and where we intend to go.

That is why the call to action must ring loud and clear. This is not the time for complacency. We are charged with a mission that cannot wait. Every leader, member, and supporter of the SCLC must take it upon themselves to ensure that every eligible person in their community is registered to vote and actively engaged in this election.

A Critical Moment in Time As many of you are aware, we are facing an unprecedented challenge in the form of Project 2025. At the SCLC, no one is more upset or more engaged in the fight against this dangerous initiative than we are. Project 2025 represents a direct threat to the values we hold dear: equality, inclusion, justice, and the right to participate in the democratic process.

Project 2025 is not just another policy initiative—it is a blueprint for the systematic dismantling of every effort to uplift marginalized communities and secure basic rights for all Americans. It seeks to eliminate programs that promote diversity, inclusion, and equity, while empowering those who wish to uphold the oppressive systems that we, at the SCLC, have spent decades fighting against.

But let me be clear: this is more than an attack on specific policies. Project 2025 is an assault on our ability to defend ourselves against the very systems of oppression that have long tried to silence us. It’s like being forced into a boxing match where our opponents are given extra padding on their gloves while our hands are tied behind our backs. It is a rigged game, designed to weaken our resolve, strip away our protections, and silence our voices.

Their vision of a “scaled-back” federal government is nothing more than a thinly veiled attempt to return to a time when states were allowed to choose bigotry, unchecked by federal oversight. This is their ideal “great nation,” a nation where “states’ rights” meant the right to oppress, to segregate, and to exclude. But we must remind them—and remind ourselves—that this is not the America we fight for. Our vision of America is one that strives for liberty, justice, and equality for all.

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The Stakes Could Not Be Higher We are at a crossroads. On one side stands a vision of America that is inclusive, diverse, and compassionate, an America that recognizes the strength of its people comes from its rich tapestry of cultures, experiences, and backgrounds. On the other side is an America that clings to a past where the powerful were allowed to crush the powerless with impunity, where the color of your skin, your economic status, or your zip code determined your destiny.

This election will determine which America we will become.

It is incumbent upon each of us as leaders, family members, and citizens to do everything in our power to make sure our community is fully participating in this critical election. We must engage in conversations with our neighbors, friends, and family members. We must work to ensure that every person in our community understands what is at stake.

Voting is not just a right; it is our most powerful weapon against those who would seek to undermine our democracy. It is our responsibility to use that weapon wisely and effectively.

A Call to Organize Our task is clear: we must organize, educate, and mobilize. Every church, every community center, every household must become a hub of voter education and engagement. We need to be talking about the issues that matter most to our community—healthcare, education, economic opportunity, and criminal justice reform. We need to make sure people understand that the outcome of this election will directly impact every aspect of their lives.

But we cannot stop there. We must also protect the integrity of the voting process. Voter suppression is real, and it is rampant. We need to be vigilant in our efforts to ensure that every eligible voter is able to cast their ballot. We must work with local organizations, legal advocates, and community leaders to ensure that no one is disenfranchised or intimidated.

We cannot allow Project 2025, or any other regressive initiative, to succeed in turning back the clock on civil rights and human dignity. The fight is too important, and the stakes are too high.

Unity in Purpose I am confident that together we can rise to meet this challenge. The SCLC has never shied away from difficult battles. We have always stood on the frontlines of the fight for justice, and we will continue to do so. This moment requires nothing less than our full commitment, our unwavering dedication, and our collective strength.

Let us be united in our purpose and fierce in our resolve. The fight for equality, justice, and inclusion is not over, but I believe, with all my heart, that we can and will overcome the forces that seek to divide and oppress us.

So, while I am deeply honored to be in this position, I know that the time for celebration will come later. Right now, the work must begin. We have an election to win. We have a nation to shape. And we have a future to fight for.

Together, we will make sure that America lives up to its promise. Together, we will continue the work of the SCLC. And together, we will ensure that justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.

SCLC National Magazine/Fall 2024 Issue

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On February 14, 1957 a group of pastors and leaders, gathered under the leadership of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to form an organization to bring nonviolent direct action to empower and bring freedom to Black Americans under the umbrella of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

April 4, 1968, a tragic day, when an assassin’s bullet took the life of Dr. King.

But it did not take the life out his movement, instead it provided the spark that brought light to his life’s work on nonviolent direct action and change.

The Love and Light Campaign supports the history, the work and the future of the SCLC. As you join, you help us continue to fulfill our mission of “Redeeming the Soul of America!”

Please head to http://nationalsclc.org/lal for more information

SCLC National Magazine/Fall 2024 Issue

Ch air man’s Cor ner

WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE? Written By: Dr. Bernard Lafayette, Chairman of the Board As we stand on the precipice of a landmark presidential election in which we hope to elect the first biracial woman president in the United States, we are at a historical point in time when our civil liberties are at stake. The very foundation of what the civil rights movement achieved is under threat, and immediate action is critical.

education, as our future depends on them.

When the fate of our country and its many global alliances is in grave danger, people everywhere need to get out and vote, organize, and organize again. We must embolden each other to get involved locally and nationally. We need informed, fair-minded individuals from school boards to executive board rooms to run for office. We must educate our children, honoring their intelligence with an excellent

With the looming potential to reverse some of our hard-earned gains, as outlined in the dense and demoralizing nine hundred-page document Project 2025, produced by the Heritage Foundation, it’s evident that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s prophetic and strategic thinking must be applied in every step we take today as we consider, as he did, “ Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community.”

The following are excerpts from the chapter “The World House” in Dr. King’s book Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community, published in 1967. Here are segments of the original language, unedited for gender inclusiveness. …One of the great liabilities of history is that all too many people fail to remain awake through significant periods of social change. Every society has its protectors of the status quo and fraternities of the indifferent who are notorious for sleeping through revolutions. But today, our very survival depends on our ability to stay awake, to adjust to new ideas, to remain vigilant, and to face the challenge of change. The large house we live in demands that we transform this worldwide neighborhood into a global brotherhood. Together, we must learn to live as brothers, or we will be forced to perish as fools. …..This is a treacherous foundation for a world house. Racism can well be that corrosive evil that will bring down the curtain on Western civilization. Arnold Toynbee has said that some twenty-six civilizations have risen upon the face of the earth. Almost all of them have descended into the junk heaps of destruction. The decline and fall of these civilizations, according to Toynbee, was not caused by external invasions but by internal decay. They failed to respond creatively to the challenges impinging upon them. Suppose Western civilization does not now respond constructively to the challenge to

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banish racism. In that case, some future historians will have to say that a great civilization died because it lacked the soul and commitment to make justice a reality for all men. ... People with low incomes in our countries have been shut out of our minds and driven from the mainstream of our societies because we have allowed them to become invisible. Ultimately, a great nation is a compassionate nation. No individual or nation can be great if it does not have a concern for “the least of these.” …Whether we realize it or not, each of us lives eternally “in the red.” We are everlasting debtors to known and unknown men and women. When we rise in the morning, we go into the bathroom, where we reach for a sponge provided by a Pacific islander. We reach for soap that is created for us by a European. Then, at the table, we drink coffee provided for us by a South American, tea by a Chinese, or cocoa by a West African. Before we leave for our jobs, we are already beholden to more than half of the world. …The stability of the large world house, which is ours, will involve a revolution of values to accompany the scientific and freedom revolutions that are engulfing the earth. We must rapidly begin the shift from a “thing”-oriented society to a “person”-oriented society. When machines and computers, profit motives, and property rights are considered more important than people, the giant triplets of racism, materialism, and militarism are incapable of being conquered. …There is nothing to prevent us from paying adequate wages to school- teachers, social workers, and other servants of the public…There is nothing but a lack of social vision to prevent us from paying an adequate wage to every American citizen, whether he be a hospital worker, laundry worker, maid, or day laborer. There is nothing except shortsightedness to prevent us from guaranteeing an annual minimum—and livable—income for every American family… ...We are now faced with the fact that tomorrow is today. We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now. In this unfolding conundrum of life and history, there is such a thing as being too late. Procrastination is still the thief of time.

Life often leaves us standing bare, naked, and dejected with a lost opportunity. The “tide in the affairs of men” does not remain at the flood; it ebbs. We may cry out desperately for time to pause in her passage, but time is deaf to every plea and rushes on. The pathetic words are written over the bleached bones and jumbled residues of numerous civilizations: “Too late.”… We still have a choice today: nonviolent coexistence or violent coannihilation. This may well be humanity’s last chance to choose between chaos and community...

SCLC National Magazine/Fall 2024 Issue

The Criminal Justice System and Black Americans Under Project 2025 In the early days of the civil rights movement, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) was at the forefront of fighting for justice, equality, and the dismantling of oppressive systems that targeted Black Americans. Today, as Project 2025 looms on the horizon, the SCLC sees alarming parallels between the fight they led decades ago and the battle they must wage again, this time to prevent the erosion of hard-won gains in criminal justice reform.

With Project 2025 setting the stage for sweeping changes, the proposed reforms threaten to intensify the challenges already facing Black communities in the justice system. From policing to sentencing, the plan would not only roll back reforms but also politicize the criminal justice process, creating a landscape where the quest for fairness and justice becomes even more elusive.

A Politicized Justice System: Returning to an Era of Bias One of the most concerning aspects of Project 2025 is the proposed politicization of the Department of Justice (DOJ). Under the plan, the president would have greater authority to appoint political loyalists to key positions within the DOJ, placing prosecutorial decisions under the influence of partisan agendas.

For the SCLC, this represents a direct threat to the integrity of the criminal justice system. The Department of Justice should serve justice, not politics. Allowing the justice system to become a tool for political retribution would undermine its very purpose and could mean that Black Americans, who are already disproportionately affected by biased policing and sentencing, would see even less fairness in the system.

A politicized DOJ could also open the door for selective investigations and prosecutions that disproportionately target Black activists and communities, especially those advocating for racial justice. In the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement, the fear is that dissenting voices could be criminalized under an administration that wields unchecked power over the justice system.

Undoing Police Reform: A Step Back for Accountability In the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder in 2020, police reforms became a central demand of protests across the country. The call for increased accountability, oversight, and the defunding of police departments that engaged in abusive practices echoed in Black communities that had long suffered from over-policing and racial profiling. But under Project 2025, many of these reforms would be undone, leaving Black Americans vulnerable to a return of unchecked police power.

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A central feature of the plan is to absolve police departments from federal oversight, particularly those that have been placed under consent decrees due to patterns of racial discrimination and excessive force. These consent decrees, enforced by the DOJ, have been instrumental in pushing police departments to adopt reforms aimed at reducing bias and brutality.

We have fought too long and too hard for the little accountability we have. Rolling back federal oversight would be a green light for police departments to return to the discriminatory practices that have terrorized Black communities for generations.

Without the guardrails of federal oversight, Black communities could see an increase in racial profiling, excessive use of force, and discriminatory policing practices, as local police departments are no longer held to the same standards of accountability.

Tougher Sentencing Guidelines: Exacerbating Mass Incarceration Perhaps one of the most troubling aspects of Project 2025 is the call for more draconian sentencing guidelines.

For Black Americans, who are already overrepresented in the prison population, tougher sentencing would mean more lives disrupted by the criminal justice system.

The SCLC fears that these measures would intensify the cycle of mass incarceration that has torn apart Black families for decades. “We’ve seen the damage that mandatory minimums and harsh sentencing laws have done to our communities,” Liggins notes. “More Black men have been incarcerated than any other group, and with tougher sentencing, we’ll see even more fathers, sons, and brothers ripped from their families.”

Under Project 2025, the push for longer sentences, especially for non-violent offenses, could further exacerbate the racial disparities in the criminal justice system. Instead of focusing on rehabilitation and restorative justice, the plan seeks to reinforce punitive measures that disproportionately affect Black Americans.

Federal Prosecutors on a Short Leash Another key component of Project 2025 is the increased political pressure on federal prosecutors. The plan proposes that federal prosecutors be placed on “short leashes,” limiting their independence and potentially forcing them to align their decisions with the political goals of the administration.

For the SCLC, this is a troubling sign. Independent prosecutors are crucial to ensuring that cases are handled fairly and without bias. When political pressures influence prosecutorial decisions, the risk of unfair targeting or leniency based on race, class, or political allegiance becomes dangerously high. If federal prosecutors are forced to answer to political appointees rather than the law, we risk seeing even more injustice in the courts, particularly for Black defendants who already face bias at every stage of the justice process.

Impact on Families: The Erosion of the Black Family Unit At its core, the criminal justice system’s failures don’t just impact individuals—they affect entire families and communities. Mass incarceration has disproportionately impacted Black men, leading to broken homes and communities struggling to heal from the trauma of losing family members to the prison system. SCLC stands for families, and we all know the impact over-policing has had on the Black community. Our men have been taken from the home, our families have been weakened, and now, with Project 2025, we’re at risk of seeing this trend grow even worse.

SCLC National Magazine/Fall 2024 Issue

The over-incarceration of Black men not only breaks families apart but also contributes to economic instability and intergenerational poverty. Children growing up with incarcerated parents face emotional, social, and financial challenges that can shape their futures in profoundly negative ways.Conclusion As Project 2025 seeks to reshape the criminal justice system, its vision represents a stark departure from the progress made in recent years. For Black Americans, the SCLC sees the proposals as a direct threat to the safety and well-being of their communities. From rolling back police reforms to introducing harsher sentencing guidelines, Project 2025 would return the country to an era where justice is further out of reach for marginalized communities.

Liggins’s message is clear: “We must resist any efforts to turn back the clock on criminal justice reform. The Black community cannot afford to lose the ground we’ve gained, and we must stand together to ensure that the criminal justice system serves everyone equally.”

Your work will shape the future.

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We would like to wish you a

Happy Indigenous People’s Day

SCLC National Magazine/Fall 2024 Issue

The Healthcare Crisis for Black Americans Under Project 2025

Among the most alarming aspects of Project 2025 is its potential impact on the American healthcare system. The Heritage Foundation’s blueprint for the future of conservative governance calls for drastically reducing the federal government’s involvement in healthcare, a move that would disproportionately affect Black Americans. The Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) is sounding the alarm on how these changes could deepen already stark health disparities, leaving Black communities even more vulnerable.

Medicare and Medicaid Cuts: A Blow to Black Communities One of the most significant aspects of Project 2025 is its call to shrink or dismantle federal programs like Medicare and Medicaid, which millions of Black Americans rely on for healthcare. These programs are lifelines for low-income families and older adults, who often struggle to afford medical care. Black Americans, who are more likely to be uninsured or underinsured, disproportionately benefit from these programs.

SCLC President and CEO DeMark Liggins warns that reducing the federal role in healthcare could result in states slashing Medicaid funding, leaving millions without coverage. “If Project 2025 succeeds, Black Americans—especially Black women—are going to see their access to healthcare vanish,” Liggins says. “And for the many who rely on Medicare in their later years, the cuts could mean the difference between life and death.”

Black Women’s Health: Expectant Mothers at Risk The healthcare system already fails Black women, especially expectant mothers. Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than their white counterparts, a statistic that reflects deeply entrenched racial disparities in healthcare.

Cutting federal funding and reducing the scope of programs designed to address these issues would be devastating.

Project 2025 could exacerbate these problems by reducing access to prenatal and maternal care through Medicaid. We know that the maternal mortality rate for Black women is a national crisis. Reducing Medicaid or adding work requirements will only make it harder for these women to get the care they need.

The SCLC is particularly

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concerned about the introduction of work requirements for Medicaid, a proposal that, on its surface, might seem fair. However, for Black Americans, who face systemic barriers to employment, work requirements could strip away healthcare coverage for those who need it most. Black unemployment rates have consistently been higher than those of other racial groups, even when the economy is strong. By making healthcare contingent on employment, Project 2025’s plan would disproportionately harm Black communities.

Politicization of Medicine: Putting Lives in Danger Project 2025 also seeks to politicize healthcare decisions by weakening federal agencies like the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which regulate everything from prescription drugs to medical devices. This move would allow political appointees to influence healthcare decisions, potentially compromising the safety and efficacy of medical treatments.

For Black Americans, who already face systemic biases in healthcare, this politicization could worsen health outcomes. The erosion of regulatory agencies means that healthcare could become less about patient care and more about political agendas. Essential medical research, including studies on diseases that disproportionately affect Black communities—such as sickle cell anemia—could be deprioritized, while the approval process for lifesaving drugs and treatments may be compromised.

Work Requirements for Medicaid: A Disproportionate Burden The push for work requirements in Medicaid, a central feature of Project 2025, is framed as a way to ensure that people contribute to society. However, the reality is that many Black Americans—particularly those in lowincome jobs—are more likely to face challenges finding stable, long-term employment due to discrimination, lower wages, and fewer opportunities.

Black Americans have always faced systemic challenges in the workforce, from higher unemployment rates to wage gaps. Imposing work requirements on Medicaid ignores these realities and puts Black families at greater risk of losing their healthcare.

Many Black Americans who are on Medicaid work in low-wage jobs that don’t provide healthcare benefits, or they work part-time, which might not satisfy the work requirements under the new system. Furthermore, these requirements don’t account for the difficulty of finding work in areas with high unemployment rates, a problem that disproportionately affects Black communities. The SCLC fears that such measures would increase the already large number of uninsured Black Americans, further reducing access to essential healthcare services.

Public Health Research and Treatment Programs at Risk Another key concern for the SCLC is the potential cuts to public health research programs that focus on diseases that disproportionately affect Black communities. The federal government funds research into conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and HIV, all of which are more prevalent among Black Americans.

If Project 2025 successfully reduces the role of the federal government in healthcare, many of these research programs could be defunded, delaying or eliminating breakthroughs in treatment.

Black Americans are already at higher risk for chronic diseases, and Project 2025 would roll back the progress we’ve made in addressing these disparities. The federal government has a responsibility to ensure equitable access to healthcare and to fund research that benefits all Americans, not just the wealthy or the privileged.

SCLC National Magazine/Fall 2024 Issue

Cosmetics and Personal Products: Weakening Regulations Beyond direct medical care, Project 2025 aims to reduce regulations on products like cosmetics, medical devices, and personal care items. These regulations, overseen by federal agencies like the FDA, protect consumers from harmful products. For Black Americans, who often face health risks from underregulated beauty products marketed specifically to them, this could have serious consequences.

Many beauty products marketed to Black women, including hair relaxers and skin lighteners, have been found to contain harmful chemicals. Weakening regulations could mean that more dangerous products reach the market, disproportionately harming Black women. The SCLC is deeply concerned that Project 2025’s deregulatory agenda will allow unsafe products to flood the market, putting Black consumers at greater risk.

Conclusion Project 2025 represents a dangerous shift in healthcare policy, one that would disproportionately affect Black Americans by reducing access to essential services, increasing healthcare costs, and worsening health disparities. From cutting Medicare and Medicaid to introducing harmful work requirements, the SCLC views these proposals as a direct attack on the progress made in creating a more equitable healthcare system.

Project 2025 is more than a policy proposal—it’s a roadmap to inequality in healthcare. The federal government’s responsibility to provide healthcare for all, especially marginalized communities, is at stake. And Black Americans will be among the hardest hit.

Congratulations to the Southern Christian Leadership Conference on 65 Years of making progress in your work towards Peace, Unity, Love, Brotherhood, and Respect.

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SCLC National Magazine/Fall 2024 Issue

THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT By: Josephine Mourning , President Prince George’s County Maryland SCLC Chapter

The majority of our country do not know that the Voting Rights Act has an expiration date.The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was originally set to expire by 1970 but has been reauthorized five times. The last time was in 2006, when President George W. Bush signed into law the “Fannie Lou Hamer, Rosa Parks, and Coretta Scott King Voting Rights Act Reauthorization and Amendments Act of 2006,” in honor of another three essential figures in its history. The act was reauthorized for another 25 years, but its future remains uncertain.

In the immediate aftermath of the bill’s passage, black voter registration increased by almost 70 percent in the next election, James Cobb, history professor at the University of Georgia and a former president of the Southern Historical Association, told USA Today. But in the eight years since the Supreme Court’s 2013 decision, states across the American South have closed nearly 1,200 polling places, according to the Leadership Conference Education Fund. This is very disturbing because people of color in the South was so long afraid to go to the polls because we had not been educated on the importance of voting. I know, because I grew up in the South. I never heard the word “vote” in my household during my 18 years. When I received a job offer and moved to Washington, DC, is when I became educated on the importance of voting. That was just my household and I knew that other households in the south were the same. I never heard my friends or anyone talk about voting, not even in schools. But today it is a little different in the South, with more households of color voting, but there is still a low voter turnout.

Since that time, the Supreme Court has rendered decisions that gutted portions of the Voting Rights Act that was reauthorized in 2006, undermining the power of voters of color.

With the emerging of Project 2025, which threatens to maximize the qualifications to cast votes, we will find that less people are voting because they do not qualify to vote. We have also found that voter suppression has increased across the country, especially among the latino communities. In some instances, while standing in the voting line, waiting to vote, people are being asked how many live in their household and what are their names.

Project 2025 seeks to fundamentally disband the federal government and reshape every aspect of Americans’ lives by implementing an anti-democratic, far-right agenda aimed at taking away our fundamental rights and freedoms.

Project 2025 also proposes to strip the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, which defends Americans of color in civil rights cases. This would allow bad actors to discriminate against Americans of color in every aspect of their lives, from voting rights to housing to employment to education. Project 2025 also proposes to disband the Department of Education, which has strengthened education in communities of color.

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The proposal would also raise campaign contribution limits, giving the rich and powerful an even louder voice in our elections and drowning out the voices of ordinary citizens. It would be remiss to ignore that white Americans make up the majority of this affluent group.

There has also been an increase in voting machine breakdown, which leads to longer lines, thereby discouraging voters from wanting to wait in these long lines, finally giving up and not voting at all. Some states even have a rule that a person cannot be given a bottle of water while standing in those lines. Robocalls with misinformation have also taken place in different parts of our country.

Congressman John Lewis was the last surviving activist that was present during the signing of the Civil Rights Act of 1965 and he stated, “Voting and participating in the democratic process are key. The vote is the most powerful nonviolent change agent you have in a democratic society. You must use it because it is not guaranteed. You can lose it.”

Prince Georges County Chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference has a “Soles to the Polls” campaign whereby each year we don our red t-shirts with a Sole of a Shoe Foot Print, which has a QR code that you can put your phone against and it will tell you where to go to vote and direct you to voter registration materials. We also have individuals with us who are certified to register you to vote right on the spot. On the back of these t-shirts we have Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s quote on Voting and it states “I have come to see more and more that one of the most decisive steps that The People can take is that little walk to the voting booth. That is an important step. We’ve got to gain the ballot, and through that gain, political power.” That is what our vote is, POLITICAL POWER. We can’t keep complaining about what is happening in our country and not go out and vote. Too much is riding on the vote. We need to vote in primaries, general and local elections. While wearing these shirts, we go to the shopping centers in low voter turnout areas. One of the guaranteed venues that you will find the people is at grocery stores and barber shops on the weekend. This is the greatest opportunity to talk with people about voting. We have to get to our men of color to emphasize why they should go to the polls. For such a long period of time, it has been stated that men of color do not vote because they feel that their vote does not count. EVERY VOTE counts. We do not pressure you about who you should vote for, but we do ask that you educate yourselves on the candidates and their platform.

SCLC National Magazine/Fall 2024 Issue

National Child Health Day is October 6 SCLC National Magazine/Fall 2024 Issue

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How Project 2025 Threatens Education for Black Americans

communities.

In the conservative think tank's vision for America’s future, Project 2025, education is a key battleground.

The Heritage Foundation’s roadmap for a post-2024 conservative administration, crafted with input from former Trump administration officials, aims to overhaul the American educational system—particularly by eliminating the Department of Education. While this may be touted as a means to cut through red tape and increase school choice, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) sees it as a covert move that could have devastating consequences for Black Americans, particularly in already underfunded

The Elimination of the Department of Education: A Step Backward for Civil Rights At the center of Project 2025's education policy is the proposed elimination of the Department of Education, which conservatives argue will give states more control over education and create more opportunities for school choice through voucher programs and charter schools. But for Black Americans, this shift could exacerbate existing inequalities rather than alleviate them.

The SCLC points to the history of education in America as a cautionary tale. Since the end of legal segregation, the federal government—and particularly the Department of Education—has been crucial in enforcing civil rights in schools. The department’s Office of Civil Rights (OCR) plays an essential role in investigating complaints of racial discrimination, ensuring that Black students have equal access to quality education, and enforcing civil rights laws that prevent exclusionary practices. Eliminating this office, as Project 2025 proposes, would essentially dismantle a critical safeguard for Black students across the country.

The elimination of the Department of Education’s civil rights arm is nothing short of a blatant attempt to turn back the clock on decades of progress. Without federal oversight, states with a history of segregation will once again be free to underfund and marginalize Black students.

Redirecting Funds: From Public Schools to Segregated Charter Schools A key aspect of Project 2025’s education policy is the push to funnel public school money into charter schools and voucher programs. Proponents argue this increases choice and competition. However, the SCLC believes this is a thinly veiled attempt to redirect funds from struggling public schools, many of which serve predominantly Black and low-income students, to private and charter schools that can selectively admit students.Historically, charter schools have not been held to the same standards of accountability as public schools and, in some cases, have reintroduced forms of de facto segregation. “The danger,” Liggins explains, “is that these schools will become exclusive institutions, serving the privileged few while leaving Black and brown students in underfunded, overcrowded public schools that can’t afford to compete for resources.”

SCLC National Magazine/Fall 2024 Issue

By moving education funds into state-level block grants, Project 2025 also risks deepening inequalities in states that have historically resisted integration and fair funding for Black students.

Some states may prioritize wealthier districts or private institutions, while underfunding schools that serve Black communities.

Hunger in the Classroom: The Risk to School Nutrition Programs One often overlooked aspect of education policy is the role schools play in feeding children. For many students, particularly those from low-income families, schools are not only a place for learning but also a vital source of nutrition. Programs such as the National School Lunch Program ensure that millions of children receive meals each day, meals that may be their primary or only source of food.

The SCLC is deeply concerned that with states in charge of block grants, many conservative legislatures would see these programs as “handouts” and cut them from their budgets without offering any replacement. “What happens to the kids who depend on school meals when the funding is slashed?” Liggins asks. “This isn’t just about education—it’s about survival for some of these children.”

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The Student Loan Crisis: Worsening Under Project 2025 Black students are disproportionately burdened by student loan debt, a crisis that threatens to worsen under Project 2025. One of the project’s most alarming proposals is to shift Pell Grants—vital for low-income students—into private loan programs. This move could push Black students further into debt while private lenders profit.

For many Black students, Pell Grants represent one of the few lifelines available to pursue higher education.

Converting them into private loans would saddle them with even more debt, deepening the student loan crisis in Black communities. The SCLC views this as yet another barrier to educational advancement for Black Americans, reinforcing cycles of poverty and financial instability.

Erasing History: The Attack on Teaching Race and Racism Perhaps one of the most insidious aspects of Project 2025’s education reforms is the effort to eliminate discussions of race, racism, and the history of Black Americans from school curricula. The project supports “patriotic education,” which critics argue is designed to whitewash history and present a sanitized version of America’s past.

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The SCLC finds this erasure of history not only offensive but also dangerous. “America cannot run from the fact that racism was woven into the fabric of our country since before the Constitution,” Liggins asserts. “But aside from that fact, not discussing race eliminates the powerful and inspirational stories from the thousands of Black Americans who, from slavery to Jim Crow to today, represent a unique story of triumph in the face of oppression.”

Conclusion For Black Americans, Project 2025’s vision of education reform is deeply concerning. From eliminating civil rights protections to redistributing funds that exacerbate inequalities, the proposal threatens to undo decades of progress in educational equity. The SCLC believes that instead of creating a more just and equal education system, Project 2025 would lead to a divided and segregated system that leaves Black students further behind.

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SCL-GPI Op-Ed: Will the American Dream Survive the Assault on Inclusion?

By: Kevin Kimble, Co-Executive Director of Global Humanitarians Unite

We stand at a crucial crossroads in American history. The very fabric of our society appears to be unraveling, torn by deep-seated political, cultural, and economic divisions. Once considered an unshakable foundation of our national identity, the American Dream—the promise of opportunity, prosperity, and upward mobility for all—is now under threat. As these divisions widen, the question that arises is: will the American Dream survive?

Look around, and you’ll see a nation split along ideological lines, with each side entrenched in its own version of reality. Economic inequality continues to grow, allowing the wealthiest among us to amass more power, while millions of Americans struggle just to make ends meet. The gap between the "haves" and the "have-nots" is widening, exacerbating a sense of disenfranchisement for those who feel locked out of the system.

Access to quality education, healthcare, and financial opportunities—pillars of the American Dream—are increasingly out of reach for many, especially those in underserved communities. As systemic barriers persist, the very idea that hard work and determination can lead to success is being questioned. The dream of upward mobility seems more like a distant illusion for a growing number of Americans, who see their chances of financial stability slipping away.

This isn’t just about economics; it’s about inclusion. It’s about whether we, as a country, are willing to ensure that everyone—regardless of race, gender, zip code, or socio-economic background—has a fair shot at achieving the American Dream. As these opportunities become scarce, the divisions in our society deepen, and the consequences will be felt across generations.

Will the American Dream survive the assault on inclusion? This is the critical question we need to ask ourselves.

We must address the economic, social, and political factors eroding this ideal if we hope to preserve it for future generations. For some, the Dream has already become a distant memory. For others, it remains within reach but increasingly elusive.

But the American Dream is not lost—yet. Through insightful dialogue with thought leaders, activists, and everyday citizens, we can explore ways to revive and protect this shared vision of opportunity for all. We can find potential pathways forward, from policy changes to community action, to ensure that the Dream remains a guiding light, not just for the privileged few, but for everyone.

The survival of the American Dream depends on our collective action. It will require more than hope; it demands a commitment to building a more equitable and just society. Each of us has a role to play in shaping the future of this country. We must acknowledge the barriers that exist and work together to dismantle them.

The time to act is now. The fate of the American Dream is in our hands, and only through unity and purposeful effort can we secure it for the generations to come.

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Project 2025 and Voting Rights: Rolling Back Decades of Progress Voting is the cornerstone of democracy, ensuring that every citizen has a voice in how they are governed. Yet, access to the ballot box has been a long-standing battleground in the United States, particularly for historically marginalized groups. Decades of effort have expanded access to voting, but Project 2025, proposed by the conservative Heritage Foundation, threatens to undo much of that progress.

With sweeping proposals aimed at reducing the federal government’s role in overseeing elections and loosening voting protections, Project 2025 poses a serious challenge to voting rights for all Americans, especially those in historically marginalized communities, including Black Americans. This project seeks to implement policies that could restrict access to the ballot, undermine fair elections, and reverse gains made in ensuring that every citizen’s vote counts equally.

Restricting Federal Oversight: A Threat to Democracy One of the most alarming aspects of Project 2025 is its effort to weaken the federal government’s ability to oversee elections and protect voters’ rights. By reducing the role of the Department of Justice and other federal agencies in investigating voter suppression and enforcing the Voting Rights Act, the project would grant states more autonomy to implement election laws— some of which have historically been used to disenfranchise voters, particularly in marginalized communities.

Since the Supreme Court’s 2013 decision in Shelby County v.

Holder, which weakened key provisions of the Voting Rights Act, numerous states have enacted restrictive voting laws. These include strict voter ID requirements, reduced early voting periods, and voter roll purges—tactics that often make it harder for communities of color and low-income voters to participate in elections. Without robust federal oversight, states with a history of voter suppression could adopt even more restrictive policies under Project 2025, potentially impacting millions of Americans.

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Federal oversight is crucial in ensuring that states don’t roll back the clock on voting rights. Project 2025 would give states free rein to enact laws that disenfranchise voters, particularly in communities that have historically been marginalized. We must ensure that the right to vote is protected for all Americans.

The SCLC, which has long advocated for civil rights, argues that the federal government has a responsibility to protect the voting rights of all citizens, especially those who have faced systemic barriers to voting. Without strong federal protections, voter suppression laws could proliferate, making it harder for Americans, especially Black Americans, to exercise their fundamental right to vote.

Voter ID Laws and Voter Roll Purges: Disenfranchising Marginalized Communities A key focus of Project 2025 is the expansion of voter ID laws, which proponents argue are necessary to prevent voter fraud. However, research has shown that voter fraud is exceedingly rare in the United States. Instead, voter ID laws often disproportionately affect marginalized communities, including Black Americans and lowincome individuals, who may face greater challenges in obtaining the required identification.

Strict voter ID laws can prevent eligible voters from casting their ballots, especially in communities where systemic inequalities make it difficult to access government services. These laws can also create barriers for elderly citizens, people with disabilities, and those in rural areas who may lack transportation to obtain ID. In addition to pushing for more stringent voter ID laws, Project 2025 supports aggressive voter roll purges, a tactic that involves removing voters from registration lists if they haven’t voted in recent elections. While proponents argue that these purges help maintain accurate voter rolls, they often disproportionately affect people in marginalized communities, including Black Americans, who may face obstacles in participating in every election due to long lines, reduced polling places, and other systemic challenges.

These tactics are designed to make it harder for certain groups of people to vote. Project 2025 claims to be about election integrity, but in reality, it’s about making it harder for all Americans—particularly those in marginalized communities—to exercise their right to vote.

The Elimination of Mail-In Voting: Reducing Access to the Ballot During the COVID-19 pandemic, mail-in voting became an essential tool for millions of Americans, allowing them to vote safely and securely. However, Project 2025 advocates for reducing or eliminating mail-in voting,

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based on debunked claims that it leads to voter fraud.

For many Americans, especially those in marginalized communities, mail-in voting is crucial for overcoming barriers such as long lines at polling places, limited transportation, and inflexible work hours.

Eliminating or restricting mail-in voting would disproportionately impact those who rely on this option, including lowincome voters, elderly citizens, and those with health concerns. Mail-in voting has expanded access to the ballot for millions of Americans. Project 2025 seeks to take that away, making it even harder for people to vote. This is a direct threat to our democracy.

Gerrymandering and Redistricting: Weakening the Power of the People Another concern for the SCLC is the impact of Project 2025 on gerrymandering and redistricting. The project advocates for giving states more control over the redistricting process, which could lead to more politically motivated gerrymandering. Gerrymandering involves drawing electoral district boundaries in ways that favor one political party or group over another, often diluting the political power of marginalized communities.

Historically, gerrymandering has been used to weaken the voting power of communities of color, including Black Americans. By allowing states more freedom in redistricting, Project 2025 could lead to districts being drawn in ways that diminish the influence of voters in marginalized communities, undermining the principle of equal representation. Gerrymandering has long been used to silence certain communities. We need fair redistricting practices that ensure every vote counts, not policies that undermine the political power of the people.

Felony Disenfranchisement: Excluding Citizens from the Democratic Process Felony disenfranchisement is another area of concern raised by the SCLC. Many states have laws that prevent individuals with felony convictions from voting, even after they have served their sentences. These laws disproportionately affect marginalized communities, including Black Americans, who are more likely to be incarcerated due to systemic inequalities in the criminal justice system.

Project 2025 does not address the issue of felony disenfranchisement, and by giving states more control over voting laws, it could lead to even more restrictive policies. The SCLC argues that restoring voting rights to individuals who have served their sentences is essential to ensuring that every citizen has a voice in the democratic process.

Felony disenfranchisement is a form of systemic racism. If we’re serious about democracy, we need to end these practices and ensure that every citizen, regardless of their past, has the right to vote.

A Call to Action: Protecting Voting Rights for All Americans

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As the 2024 election approaches, the SCLC is calling on all Americans to stand up against the threats posed by Project 2025. From voter ID laws and voter purges to gerrymandering and felony disenfranchisement, the project represents a concerted effort to disenfranchise citizens, particularly those from historically marginalized communities. We fought too hard for the right to vote to let it be taken away now.

Project 2025 is a direct threat to our democracy, and we must resist it with everything we have.

The SCLC urges Americans of all backgrounds to remain vigilant, organize, and fight for policies that protect, rather than restrict, access to the ballot. The right to vote is fundamental to democracy, and the future of the nation depends on defending it.

Conclusion: Defending Democracy for Everyone Project 2025 represents a dangerous attempt to roll back voting rights and silence the voices of millions of Americans. By weakening federal oversight, expanding voter ID laws, purging voter rolls, and undermining fair redistricting practices, the project threatens to reverse decades of progress in ensuring equal access to the ballot box.

The SCLC remains committed to defending voting rights for all Americans, especially those who have been historically marginalized. Voting is the foundation of our democracy. Without it, we have no voice, no power.

We must protect it at all costs.

As the fight for voting rights continues, the SCLC calls on all Americans to take action—organize, educate, and stand up against efforts to disenfranchise their communities. The stakes have never been higher, and the future of democracy hangs in the balance.

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SCLC National Magazine/Fall 2024 Issue

Project 2025 and Economic Inequality: A Setback for Black Progress

Economic inequality in America is a persistent and deep-rooted issue, disproportionately affecting Black Americans. From income disparity to housing insecurity and employment discrimination, Black communities have long faced systemic economic barriers. While progress has been made, the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 threatens to roll back these gains, intensifying economic inequality for Black Americans and deepening the wealth gap that has plagued the country for centuries.

The Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) is particularly concerned that Project 2025 would not only fail to address existing disparities but would actively work to widen the economic divide. Through policies that defund social safety nets, weaken workers' rights, and prioritize the interests of the wealthy, the project threatens to entrench a system that leaves Black Americans further behind.

Defunding Social Safety Nets: A Devastating Blow to Low-Income Communities One of the key goals of Project 2025 is to drastically reduce the size of the federal government, including slashing funding for social safety nets like food assistance, housing programs, and unemployment benefits. For Black Americans, who are disproportionately represented among low-income populations due to historical and systemic discrimination, these cuts could have devastating consequences.

Many Black families rely on federal assistance programs to make ends meet, and the SCLC warns that cutting these programs would push countless individuals into poverty. Social safety nets exist because there are systemic barriers to success in America, especially for Black people. Project 2025 would leave the most vulnerable among us with no support, exacerbating poverty and inequality.

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Black Americans already face higher rates of poverty, unemployment, and food insecurity compared to other racial groups. In 2020, the Black poverty rate stood at 19.5%, compared to 8.2% for white Americans. These disparities reflect centuries of economic exclusion, from slavery and segregation to redlining and employment discrimination. Rather than addressing these disparities, Project 2025 would slash programs that offer a lifeline to struggling families.

Housing and Homeownership: Eroding Economic Stability Homeownership has long been considered one of the most important pathways to building wealth in America.

However, Black Americans face significant barriers to homeownership due to discriminatory lending practices, redlining, and a legacy of housing segregation.

The wealth gap between Black and white households is stark, with the typical Black household owning about onetenth the wealth of the typical white household.

Project 2025 includes proposals to reduce federal involvement in housing programs, which could have a profound impact on Black Americans’ ability to access affordable housing. By cutting funding for affordable housing programs and shifting more responsibility to states, many of which have historically discriminatory housing policies, the project risks making homeownership even more unattainable for Black families. Affordable housing is already scarce for Black Americans, and Project 2025 would make it even harder to find. The federal government has a responsibility to ensure that everyone has access to safe, affordable housing, and we cannot leave that in the hands of states that have historically failed to protect Black families.

Additionally, without robust federal oversight, there is concern that discriminatory lending practices could become more widespread, further preventing Black Americans from achieving homeownership and closing the wealth gap.

Weakening Workers’ Rights: Undermining Economic Mobility Project 2025 also takes aim at workers' rights, advocating for policies that would weaken unions, undermine workplace protections, and reduce federal involvement in labor standards. For Black Americans, who are often overrepresented in low-wage jobs with fewer protections, these proposals could have serious consequences.

Unions have historically been instrumental in fighting for workers' rights, securing higher wages, better working conditions, and benefits like healthcare and paid leave. Black workers, in particular, have benefited from union membership, which has helped to close wage gaps and improve job security. However, Project 2025 supports right-to-work laws and other measures that would weaken unions and make it harder for workers to organize.

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Without strong unions, Black workers would be more vulnerable to exploitation, wage stagnation, and unsafe working conditions. The SCLC argues that instead of dismantling unions, the federal government should be working to strengthen workers' rights and ensure that all Americans, regardless of race, have access to fair wages and safe workplaces.

Unions have been a powerful tool for Black workers to fight for equality in the workplace. By weakening unions and workers' rights, Project 2025 threatens to undo the progress we’ve made toward economic justice.

Tax Policies That Benefit the Wealthy: Widening the Wealth Gap A central tenet of Project 2025 is reducing taxes, particularly for corporations and high-income individuals.

The Heritage Foundation argues that lowering taxes will stimulate economic growth, but the SCLC contends that these policies disproportionately benefit the wealthy at the expense of low- and middle-income Americans, including Black families.

The racial wealth gap in America is staggering. The median net worth of a white household is 10 times that of a Black household, and this gap has persisted for decades. Tax cuts that benefit the wealthy do little to address this inequality; in fact, they often make it worse. By reducing government revenue through tax cuts, Project 2025 would likely lead to cuts in public services that many Black Americans rely on, such as education, healthcare, and social services.

The idea that tax cuts for the wealthy will somehow trickle down to benefit Black families is a myth. We’ve seen time and time again that these policies only deepen inequality, making it harder for Black Americans to get ahead.

The SCLC argues that instead of cutting taxes for the rich, the government should be investing in programs that help close the racial wealth gap, such as affordable housing, job training, and education. Without such investments, Black Americans will continue to be locked out of opportunities for economic advancement.

Education and Job Training: Barriers to Opportunity Education and job training are essential for upward mobility, but Project 2025 includes proposals that would make it harder for Black Americans to access quality education and job opportunities. As mentioned in previous articles, the project supports eliminating the Department of Education and cutting federal funding for public schools, disproportionately affecting low-income students of color.

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In addition to its impact on K-12 education, Project 2025 also proposes reforms that would make it more difficult for Black students to access higher education. By reducing Pell Grants and shifting more of the financial burden to students through private loans, the project would exacerbate the student loan crisis for Black Americans, who already graduate with higher levels of debt than their white counterparts.

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Moreover, cutting funding for job training programs and workforce development initiatives would further limit opportunities for Black Americans to access well-paying jobs in growing industries. The SCLC argues that these policies would hinder economic mobility and leave Black workers stuck in low-wage jobs with little chance of advancement.

Conclusion: A Return to Economic Injustice For Black Americans, Project 2025 represents a significant step backward in the fight for economic justice. By defunding social safety nets, weakening workers' rights, and prioritizing the interests of the wealthy, the project threatens to deepen the economic inequality that has plagued Black communities for centuries.

The SCLC is calling on Black Americans to recognize the dangers posed by Project 2025 and to demand policies that address, rather than exacerbate, racial and economic disparities. Economic justice is a civil rights issue. We cannot allow Project 2025 to take us back to a time when Black Americans had even fewer opportunities to succeed. Our future depends on fighting for an economy that works for everyone.

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Project 2025 and the Black Church: A Threat to Religious Freedom For decades, the Black church has played a vital role in the fight for civil rights, social justice, and the upliftment of Black communities in America. It has served as a pillar of strength, providing spiritual, emotional, and material support to generations of Black Americans. However, the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 poses a new set of challenges to this longstanding institution. While on its surface Project 2025 purports to support churches and religious freedoms, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) warns that the project threatens the very foundation of religious liberty that has allowed the Black church to thrive.

The SCLC, with its roots in the Black church, recognizes the importance of maintaining the separation of church and state—a principle that protects both religious institutions and citizens from government interference. Under Project 2025, that delicate balance could be disrupted, opening the door to government-sanctioned religious discrimination and the rise of dangerous ideologies like White Christian Nationalism.

The Threat to Religious Freedom: The Importance of Separation of Church and State The principle of separating church and state has been enshrined in the U.S. Constitution since its founding. The Founding Fathers, many of whom had fled religious persecution in Europe, understood that government involvement in religion could quickly lead to oppression. The separation of church and state ensures that individuals are free to practice their faith without fear of government interference, and that religious institutions are not used as political tools.

The Black church has always been a space for freedom and empowerment. Our ability to worship freely without government interference has allowed us to challenge injustice and oppression. If Project 2025 erodes that separation, we risk losing that freedom. Under Project 2025, there is a clear shift toward increasing the role of religion in government policies, which could jeopardize religious freedoms. The project advocates for policies that would enable the government to provide more support for religious institutions, which may seem like a benefit to some. However, the SCLC cautions that when the government entangles itself in religious matters, it can impose its will on what faiths and religious doctrines are acceptable—an especially dangerous prospect for Black churches with unique theological and historical traditions.

Liggins warns that Project 2025 could open the door to government favoritism toward certain religious institutions, creating a hierarchy of faiths that undermines religious equality. “Just because you love your church does not mean that, under Project 2025, the government will,” Liggins notes. “What happens when the government decides that your church’s theology or doctrine isn’t aligned with its political goals?”

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Religious Freedom and the Black Church: A Legacy of Independence The Black church has a rich history of independence, often standing as the only institution fully controlled by Black Americans during slavery, Reconstruction, and Jim Crow. This autonomy allowed the Black church to become a place of refuge and a source of strength for generations of Black Americans, particularly in times of intense oppression. The church not only offered spiritual guidance but also served as a hub for civil rights activism, community organization, and social justice.

Without the protection of religious freedom and the separation of church and state, the Black church may not have been able to develop into the powerful institution it is today. The Black church’s ability to grow and influence change was rooted in its independence from government interference. That independence is under threat with Project 2025.

The SCLC is concerned that Project 2025 could undermine this legacy by allowing government interference in religious institutions. Black churches, which have historically spoken out against racial injustice and economic inequality, could face pressure or even punishment from a government that may not share their values.

White Christian Nationalism: A Growing Threat One of the most concerning aspects of Project 2025 is the rise of White Christian Nationalism—a political movement that blends Christian identity with white supremacy. This ideology has gained traction in recent years, particularly within certain conservative political circles. Project 2025’s emphasis on returning to traditional religious values has been seen by some as a tacit endorsement of White Christian Nationalism, which poses a serious threat to religious freedom and racial equality.

The SCLC has long warned about the dangers of White Christian Nationalism, which seeks to define America as a Christian nation in ways that exclude people of color, religious minorities, and anyone who does not conform to its narrow interpretation of Christianity. By aligning government policy with certain religious beliefs, Project 2025 could embolden extremists who see America’s diversity as a threat.

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The Black church has always been a voice for justice and equality. We preach love, unity, and the need to uplift all people, regardless of race, religion, or background. White Christian Nationalism preaches division and hate. Project 2025 could give that dangerous ideology more power than ever before.

The Government’s Role in Religion: A Dangerous Precedent While Project 2025 claims to support religious liberty, its proposals blur the lines between church and state in ways that could lead to government overreach. By involving the government in religious matters—whether through funding or policy directives—the plan sets a dangerous precedent where the state can exert influence over religious institutions.

For the Black church, this could mean a loss of autonomy. Historically, the church has acted as a moral compass for the nation, calling out injustices and standing up for the rights of the oppressed. If the government begins to interfere with religious institutions, there is a risk that the prophetic voice of the Black church could be silenced, or at the very least, constrained.

Liggins warns that when the government gets involved in religion, it becomes easier for political leaders to use religious institutions to further their own agendas. We’ve seen this happen throughout history. When the government starts picking and choosing which religions it supports, it opens the door for oppression. Religious freedom only exists when the state stays out of the church’s affairs.

Protecting the Future of the Black Church The SCLC is urging Black Americans to be vigilant about the implications of Project 2025 and to recognize the potential dangers it poses to the Black church and religious freedom as a whole. While the project may present itself as a defender of faith, its proposed policies could undermine the very freedoms that have allowed Black religious institutions to thrive.

Liggins calls on Black churches to remain steadfast in their independence and to resist any attempts by the government to co-opt their mission. “The Black church has always been a beacon of hope and justice. We cannot allow Project 2025 to erode the freedoms that make that possible.”

Conclusion Project 2025 threatens the delicate balance between church and state that has protected religious freedom in America for centuries. For the Black church, this balance has been essential in allowing it to grow and serve as a force for justice and equality. The SCLC warns that under Project 2025, this independence could be jeopardized, with the government gaining unprecedented influence over religious institutions.

At a time when White Christian Nationalism is on the rise, the SCLC believes that Project 2025 could give legitimacy to dangerous ideologies that undermine racial and religious equality. The future of religious freedom in America, and the autonomy of the Black church, may be at stake.

Religious freedom means nothing if it’s tied to the whims of the government. The Black church has always stood strong in the face of oppression, and we must continue that fight today, for the sake of our faith, our people, and our country.

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