According to the report, while the Caucasian population in Chicago has not changed much, Latinos/Latinx became the 2nd largest racial or ethnic population. And while the white, Latino and Black residents remain comparable in terms of numerical growth, Asians, currently the fourth largest ethnic or racial group, became the fastest growing population in the city.
The report ‘signals the urgency to protect voter rights and "quantifies" the growing diversity of the country,’ said the Rev. Al Sharpton, president and founder of National Action Network, adding that “When it comes to choice and power in politics, marginalized groups that built this country have been silenced historically and many across racial lines are galvanizing to oppose the assaults on voting rights."
As of June, 17 states had passed laws that make it harder for the constituents of those states to vote. We have not seen such an "unprecedented assault on voting rights" since the likes of Jim Crow. Two bills demanding fair voting process -- “For the People Act” and the “John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act” -- are currently stalled in the Senate. Support the “For the People Act” by calling or writing to your elected officials.
In addition to supporting the effort to protect voter rights, as a church we also need to think creatively and explore ways to be in ministry with our Latinx and Asian (2 fastest growing populations in Chicago) siblings. I am open to suggestions and ideas for outreach. Please feel free to share them with me.
And let us not forget to mask when inside buildings or in huge crowds. As much as we wish, we are still not out of the woods. Let us continue to take precautions, even if we are vaccinated. Let’s not forget -- we are doing it to protect those around us.
