During the midst of a pandemic and heightened racial tensions across the country, where we have lost over 200,000 of our brothers and sisters to one virus and countless others to the virus of racism, one might turn to God and ask themselves “Why?” “What did we do to deserve this?” “How can we keep our loved ones safe?” As a preacher of the Word, educator, psychologist and Civil Rights activist, my late brothers: John Lewis and C.T. Vivian would instill in all of us to do our part in this fight and create “good trouble”
in advocating on behalf of our fellow man and protecting their access to quality health care in this global pandemic.
We have all suffered unimaginable loss and grievances this year. Rather than getting lost in trying to salve healing wounds, as followers of Christ, I believe our focus should turn into the larger question of, “What is our role in all of this?” The Bible makes it clear that, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the Earth gives way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.” Psalm 46:1-3.
There is no virus that is bigger than God. There is no President bigger than God. However, we also know faith without works is dead. We must continue to pray and do our part to hold our elected officials accountable and demand access to adequate, affordable health care for our
community.
It is no secret that our Black and brown community is suffering far worse from the virus due to the health care crisis that has plagued us far beyond the pandemic. According to recent reporting, Black Georgians are dying at a higher rate from COVID-19 than whites across all age groups, sometimes at three or four times the rate for whites.
Whether the virus has affected you physically or not, it is our moral duty to help our fellow man and uplift our community. President Obama told us that regardless of your race, creed, zip code, or background, health care is a human right. But right now, Donald Trump and Republicans are rushing to confirm a new justice because they believe they can overturn the Affordable Care Act.
The Supreme Court will hear Trump’s latest attempt to tear down the Affordable Care Act just one week after the election. This means that the next Justice who goes on the Court will decide whether or not working families will still have protections for pre-existing conditions at a time when complications from COVID-19, like lung scarring and heart damage, could become the next deniable pre-existing condition.
If Trump gets his way, as many as 133 million Americans with preexisting conditions could lose coverage protections, including 1.8 million Georgians.
Christians do not stand on the sidelines and watch our brothers and sisters fall. We are in this fight to protect our access to affordable health care and together, with our faiths stronger than ever, we will see the end of this pandemic. We must also vote out corruption and
danger and elect Joe Biden as our next President and continue to combat both viruses that plague us today.
Dr. Durley currently serves as Pastor of Providence Missionary Baptist Church in Atlanta and is a highly sought speaker on civil and human rights issues. He and his wife, Muriel, have 2 children and 4 grandchildren.
