By Julia Gravely —
“Tell me how people treat nature, and I’ll tell you what they think about what it means to be human.”- Rev. Dr. Faith Harris —
Across the globe, the COVID-19 crisis has forced each one of us to face the fact that we are all intertwined and interdependent. While listening to the recent broadcast, “Virginia Interfaith LIVE!” I was struck by a question posed by Rev. Dr. Faith Harris, “What, to me, does it mean to be human?” For me, to be human is to be connected, consciously or unconsciously, to all beings. It is this message of connectedness and interdependence that is conveyed in the broadcast, “Virginia Interfaith LIVE!” a new online weekly show produced by the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy (VICPP).
The show airs live on Thursdays at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. (in Spanish) on VICPP’s Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube pages.
As an extension of the VICPP’s mission, the program provides a crucial tool for education and connection between community leaders, social justice advocates, policy makers, and people of faith and goodwill throughout Virginia. Each Thursday at 11 a.m Virginia community and faith leaders, legislators, advocates, and front line workers address issues of economic, racial, social, and environmental justice. VICPP produces a second broadcast Thursday at 5 p.m. covering the same topic with Spanish speaking guests.
“VICPP launched the program on April 3, in response to the COVID-19 crisis. The program serves as a resource for the public and an opportunity to keep our elected officials accountable,” said Kim Bobo, VICPP’s executive director.
Challenged by the call to incorporate empathy and justice into public policy advocacy (using live streaming technology) Roberta Oster, VICPP’s communications director, describes the organization as a “think tank with a heart.” Integrating timely topics with love-driven action and humanity, the platform brings a wide array of speakers to address topics such as: “Farmworkers Deserve Minimum Wage,” “All Workers Need Paid Sick Days,” and “Race and Health Equity during COVID-19.” I enjoy watching this balanced public policy broadcast with a faith-based mission, and appreciate the break from fear-filled and biased news programs.
This program is also interactive (not just “talking heads”) inviting viewers to ask questions during the live broadcast. Community leaders equip us with tools to build bridges of connection where we once found cavernous trenches. “We the People,” are given an opportunity to chime in with voices of hope and fear that bind us together with resilience. Finding light and strength in media efforts such as “Virginia Interfaith LIVE!,” I feel driven back to the heartbeat of the community. And I am reminded once again of what it means to be human.
Julia Gravely studied Ministry and Visual Arts through Youth With a Mission in Norway and Japan.