Uplift Your Voice: How You Can Influence Trump's Actions More Than You Realize

This Lent, Rev. Jamal Bryant, pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church near Atlanta, has called upon his 10,000 congregants to abstain from shopping at Target for 40 days. His motive is Target's recent retreat from its commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion. This movement has resonated with numerous influential African American churches nationwide, garnering over 150,000 participants who have joined activists in boycotting brands such as Walmart and Starbucks.Typically, churches provide spiritual support, aiding individuals in their roles as fathers, husbands, and community members. However, faith must also engage with economic injustices, where corporations neglect unions, fail to invest in communities of color, and abandon diversity objectives. Pastors can influence communal consciousness, demonstrating through boycotts that they prioritize the well-being of their members and surrounding communities.Rev. Charlie Dates from Chicago emphasizes the duality of respect—gaining respect from corporations is important, but self-respect and collective agency are crucial. Even if Target does not comply immediately, the significance lies in the power of collective action driven by principled beliefs.