Calvin University's official student newspaper since 1907

Calvin University Chimes

Since 1907
Calvin University's official student newspaper since 1907

Calvin University Chimes

Calvin University's official student newspaper since 1907

Calvin University Chimes

Nosotros creemos: an open letter to the Christian community

I will keep this short and sweet. You do not own our hearts. I understand that you may mean well, but please, stop telling people of color how to grieve. We are sick and tired of people trying to tell us when, where and how to process our emotions. This past week has been one of somberness. Many people all across the U.S. are frightful of what’s to come in these next 4 years, and they have every right to be.

One of Trump’s signature statements was how he is going to build a wall along the U.S.–Mexican border and deport undocumented immigrants. And while only 11 million (20%) of U.S. Hispanics are undocumented, he deduced that neighbors, our neighbors, are robbers, rapists and murderers.

This has allowed the racism, xenophobia and outright ungodly rhetoric that was already present in our country to take a head in our country. The Ku Klux Klan has officially backed Donald Trump, as well as many other terrorist organizations in the United States, who have long used skewed views of Christianity as a vessel to further their twisted agendas.

So please understand why POC have a collective apprehension when looking towards our future. The church has had centuries to take stand for social justice, yet tends to only speak after POC address their grievances aloud. We need prayer, we need understanding, but we do not need opinions on how we grieve. Thank you.

Kimo J. Cox

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