Working on a Political Campaign is a Social Justice Action
Note: There will be a social justice meeting Thursday, August 4 at 7 pm. Here is the Zoom link. All are welcome to attend.

Politics cannot be divorced from social justice. Politics influence which social justice issues are prioritized
and the approach to addressing an issue. It is how decisions are made relating to the governance of an
organization. A little congregational politics in social justice is good. The other side of politics is electoral
politics, choosing who we want to represent us and head our government.
Electoral politics is what refer to as politics. It’s the candidate ads, issue ads, door to door canvasing, and
mailers that occur before elections. However, it has embraced emotional wedge issues which are often
based upon false information and misleading statements. Often wedge issues – homelessness,
immigrants taking American jobs, welfare fraud, LGBTQIA persons grooming youth, “evil black people” –
are issues which exacerbate or create injustices. A great example is how homelessness is being used in
the Oregon governor’s race.
Being active in politics can be a good social justice investment. For example, who is elected determines if
being homelessness will be criminalized or housing and services provided that enables the homeless to
find housing. You might not think your efforts working to elect a candidate will make a difference, but it
can. Especially, if it leads to the vote that wins the election.
Working on a political campaign is not seen as a social justice activity. It is if electing a candidate reduces
social injustices or prevents an increase in social injustices.