Blog:FOREST LAKE TALKS

Last night, 41 FLPC folks gathered with a larger interfaith group called MORE Justice for a community meeting called the Nehemiah Action. We filled the auditorium of Eau Claire High School to ask elected officials to commit to small steps to make the Midlands (and state) a more equitable place to live. Often, I am challenged by those who are wary of MORE Justice to define what we mean by “justice.” This is because the word “justice” has become politicized, and the word is used as a weapon by both left and right. But while justice always has political outcomes, justice is NOT partisan. For Christians, Jews and Muslims, the pursuit of justice is a commandment from God.

Last night I learned that South Carolina has an eviction filing rate that is more than double the national rate. I learned that it only costs $40 to file an eviction notice in SC (national average is $109) and that an eviction filing – even if the person is never evicted – stays on that person’s record forever. In Richland County, one in four rental households will face an eviction notice. I learned that once an eviction filing is on your record, you are much less likely to be able to rent elsewhere – even if the eviction filing was settled, dropped, or judged wrong. I learned that there is a statewide proposal before our legislature – H4270 – to remove eviction records when those filings were either won or dropped, and to remove any eviction case older than six years old. Stable housing supports mental, physical, and emotional health and strengthens families. This is not a simple or easy fix for evictions, but it is one small thing that our state legislature can do to protect some of the most vulnerable among us.

We have known for years that the Richland County zip code, 29203, has one of the highest rates in the nation for diabetic amputations. Diabetic amputations are often closely correlated with unhealthy diets, and many in this zip code struggle to get fresh fruits and vegetables. “Food deserts” are real! Because of the advocacy of MORE Justice, Columbia has partnered with a local farm, Tom’s Creek, to bring a mobile market to sell fruits and vegetables in areas of our city that are food deserts. If you are of a mind to do something good for the whole community – to support justice – then consider shopping at one of the Toms Creek Mobile Markets. See inside this newsletter for days, locations and times.

None of us can fix what is wrong with our community or nation. And all of us are responsible to do what we can to advocate for the poor and vulnerable. The question for disciples of Jesus is not, “WILL we work for justice?” The question for disciples is, “HOW will we work for justice?”