For World Quaker Day: What I’d like to see for Quakerism in the years to come
Apparently, it’s World Quaker Day. The Friends Journal just published a lovely interview with Eunsung Kim to mark the occasion. She answers the question, "What would you like to see for Quakerism in the years to come?" It’s a great query. Here are my answers.
1. Unequivocal acceptance and celebration of queer and trans people, and meaningful work for queer and trans liberation.
2. More white Quakers wrestling with our history and current practices of racism in a way that inspires action, not guilt.
3. No more waiting around to be “good enough” to work for justice. I want Quakers to be open to making mistakes while following leadings and willing to take risks for justice.
4. In the United States, I want to see honestly about Quaker American history, instead of fairy tales about being “good white people” and less tokenism/erasure of Quakers of color.
5. A focus on structural violence, rather than ethical consumerism.
6. New conversations about prisons and policing. If we oppose war, we need to oppose the prison system too.
7. Less guilt. More laughter, more fun (we’re pretty good at that already.)
8. A willingness to be angry and stay in community with others when they express unpleasant emotions. No more tone policing.
9. A genuine welcome of young adults, including those without children. An expansion of our ideas of what looking and acting Quaker can mean, but a deepening commitment to open conversation about our practices and beliefs.
10. No more socks and sandals. No more high-waisted jeans and earnest sweater vests. We’re better than that, people.
- Dapper Joy
What would you like to see for Quakerism in the years to come?
