The Moral Revolution of the Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II

For several  years now I have read speculation in the news media about the possibility of a progressive religious coalition. These almost always mentioned Barber’s  Poor People’s Campaign, A National Call for Moral Revival

On recent Sundays I have been listening to the Service at the National Cathedral following Mass on Catholic TV.  They have been inspiring and very inclusive services by a small group, including significant amount of Spanish, Black musicians.  Bishop Curry and Bishop Budde both gave inspiring homilies on racial issues.  They are getting about ten thousand viewers during the service.

Last Sunday they featured Barber. So far they have  over 70 thousand views of the service, plus they now have an additional 30 thousand views of his separately posted homily.  This is the link to the page which also has (a very poorly done) transcript of the homily.  I was surprised it actually lasted 43 minutes. It seemed more like a fifteen to twenty minute homily.  I usually tune out most homilies. 

Sermon: The Rev Dr. William J. Barber II on June 14, 2020

Below the break is my abbreviation of the text that focuses upon the main points.  Actually his practical program is very similar to that of Sanders. Religiously it is the program of Liberation theology.  Most people don’t seem to realize that the fundamental biblical idea behind liberation theology is choosing life rather than death. I certainly find these ideals much more inspiring than trying to make sense of White Privilege.

We have had an unprecedented wave of protests around the country, and an unprecedented outpouring of money in support of these protests. Will Barber's planned June 20, 2020 demonstration in D.C. spread around the country?

We need lamenting in this nation, real lamenting that says we can’t have it anymore. Accepting death is not an option anymore. And then thirdly, we need real reconstructing, real reconstructed. We must turn away from death and towards life.  We need real reconstructing of society rooted in the deep moral values of our faith and of the constitution facing a society that has had such a lethal history. God America you’ve had such a lethal history.  And because of this policy, tinkering, we will not heal them.

And in that fourth, bill is going to have healthcare for everybody and living wages for everybody and sick leave, right? Everybody and unemployment for everybody. And everybody’s going to have the PPEs that need, and we’re going have rent more forgiveness and, and moratoriums on utilities shut off.

If we instituted fair elections and restricted the influence of big money in our politics, we could transition to automated online voter registration and give life to our democracy. If, if, if, if we would pay people a living wage and we would, we would immediately remove 49 million people would come up out of poverty and put $320 billion into the economy.

And if we implemented a housing wage that says, if you, if you got to at least be able to afford a house, if you work, we would raise, pay for 83 million workers by more than a trillion dollars. And this would give life to our household and revive our economy.

If we ended mass incarceration, we would significantly reduce the 179 billion that currently goes to policing and courts and prisons. This would give life to our communities and raise resources to secure housing for all.

If we stop pouring money and resources into a border wall, we could move that 24 billion into our children’s K through 12 education and give life to their dreams.

If we cancel one military contract, we could have $25 billion to expand Medicaid in the 14 States that haven’t done it. This would mean life for millions of people in those States who are uninsured.

If we cancel a different military contract, we would have more than enough resources to put toward expanding our water infrastructure and creating 945,000 jobs. Instead of putting those resources in war, we would support life because water is life.

If we cut $350 billion from the military budget and close some of the 800 bases we have around the world, we would make the world a safer place. And with those resources could, they could be put toward ensuring healthcare for all. And our democracy could live.

If we had put six point $4 trillion that we’ve poured into endless Wars since nine 11. If we had put that money into the green energy, we would have built a renewable energy grid by now with nearly $2 trillion to spare and our planet would live.

If we restore the corporate tax rate to what it was before the massive cut, our democracy would live with live real live. We could raise $130 billion a year. This would be more than enough resources to fund a hundred billion. We need to provide early childcare and education for every child in this country. This is the way of life.

If we just instituted a tiny tax on wall street trade, we would raise more than $70 billion. We need to invest in free public college for all.

If we implemented a wealth tax on the richest households in the country, we could raise 275 billion a year. If we put this toward fixing our public infrastructure, it would create 2.5 million green jobs.

If we taxed inherited welfare, that we would raise seven to $8 billion a year. This would give life to programs designed to narrow the racial gap

Next week. Look at the streams that are coming together on June 20th, to build the broadest coalition of national justice organizations and state and grow grassroots for poor people of all different races, colors, and creeds come in together from every state in this nation, lifting up an agenda for a third reconstruction on June 20, 2020.

Decide America. This side this day decide that accepting death is not isn’t an option anymore. Let justice roll down like waters and righteousness, like a mighty stream. And we, we will live. God help us. God help us if we don’t, but God bless us. God will bless us. God will bless us if we do amen