Politics is a combination of the process of debate, campaigning, elections, voting and parliament, but the ultimate aim is governance, not just government. Governance means to steer or pilot. We need governance that aligns with, and outcomes that reflect the kingdom of Jesus. Now that the debate and voting is over, politics now continues into actual governance and governance must involve other stakeholders too. Government of the people by the people, for the people, must extend beyond Whitehall to where we live and gather.
Why is it important that people from ethnic minorities have their voice heard within politics?
The economic injustice and disparities within the system demand that people from ethnic minority groups have their voice heard in politics. The Joseph Rowntree Foundation reports “many minority ethnic groups – around half of people in Pakistani (51%) and Bangladeshi households (53%) and around 4 in 10 people in households headed by someone from an Asian background other than Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi or Chinese (39%) or households from Black African backgrounds (42%) were in poverty between 2019 – 2020 and 2021 – 2022. These households also have higher rates of child poverty, very deep poverty and persistent poverty”. This is over twice the rate of people in households headed by someone of White ethnicity.
In 2020, the Social Metrics Commission found that nearly half (46%) of all people living in families where the household head was Black/African/Caribbean/Black British, were in poverty, compared to just under one in five (19%) of those living in families where the head of household was White.
In a country where 82% are white and only 18% are ethnic minorities, these figures are a reflection of an unjust system. Poverty also has an impact on the younger generation’s educational attainment and therefore ultimately on their economic and social success in life – creating an unending vicious cycle.
The Windrush Scandal and continued institutional racial discrimination and abuse, disproportionate numbers of ethnic minority youth in our prisons etc reinforces the need for ethnic minorities to continue sustained campaigns for equity, parity and justice.
If we do nothing, we have nothing. We are required by God to do something, and the Bible is replete with admonitions to do so; to “seek the welfare of the city…”, and to invest in its life and progress, so that in its prospering, we too might prosper.
“Every Christian should have the Bible in one hand and a newspaper in the other.” (John Stott) We are in the kingdom “for such a times as this”. The actions of Esther, Mordecai and their cohorts made a difference to the wellbeing and survival of the Jews who found themselves victims of an oppressive public policy and edict.
"If we do nothing, we have nothing."
What can political engagement (civic participation) look like?
In Exodus 3:7 God says, “…I have heard the cry of my people…”.
The cry of the oppressed, the cry of despair, the cry of the helpless, the cry of those who knew help was near and yet so far away – near because God in His mercy and compassion has provided help through my neighbour – and yet so far away because my neighbour can’t or won’t hear my cry and do anything about it.
Today we must make it our business to hear the cries too and when we do, we must act. It is called ‘justice’.
“Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could do only a little”. (Edmund Burke)
Civic engagement is a powerful way both churches and individuals can help improve the quality of life for their communities, after all, we are called to be ‘our brother’s keeper’.
Just governance is part of our calling, and it comes with myriad responsibilities. It has been described as “individual and collective actions designed to identify and address issues of public concern”. It is a sustained way of expressing our concern and putting our efforts where our mouths are.
"Just governance is part of our calling"
It allows us to shape the future of our communities who face a multiplicity of social and economic challenges. What we tolerate we cannot change. There is so much we can do. The key is to abstain from apathy, despair and helplessness and get active. This can take many forms; forming pressure groups to influence public policy, policing the promises of the officials we have voted in, as well, helping our communities to be well coached in their constitutional rights, joining a political party and running for office, organising practical help for children who need extra help with their education, engaging at all levels from school governors boards, environmental committees, health boards and local assemblies, start youth social groups to help dismantle gang culture and to build a sense of identity and purpose among young people.
We need to be advocating for prison reform, support ex-offenders upon their release back into society order to minimise re-offending. To this end we must also seek to create ways to work in partnership with the police and justice agencies to reduce racial bias and criminalisation of our youth. Furthermore, we must continue to partner with local authority and key providers to enable welfare provision for the vulnerable, something the church has long been active in doing.
The National Church Leaders Forum (NCLF) has produced a free Manifesto for Action as a resource, to flag up issues relating to ethnic minorities and to create a process for both political engagement and an empowering of the church to effectively address issues. To access the resource visit: nclf.org.
Two other helpful resources on these topics are: UK Vision 2030: A Call to Action and the book Justice and the Heart of God by Emma Kennedy.
“With what shall I come before the Lord and bow down before the exalted God?… He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:6,8 NIV)
