Texas Impact's Weekly Witness Texas Impact

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs in Texas colleges came under fire in the last legislative session. The passage of SB17 has been controversial with many students and faculty over the elimination of these programs.

This week we are joined by Dr. Karma Chávez, the Bobby and Sherri Patton Professor of Mexican American and Latina/o Studies and Chair of Mexican American and Latina/o Studies at the University of Texas at Austin. Dr. Chávez will talk to us about what is driving this movement, why it matters and how you can help. 

This week we are joined by Emily Bourgeois, Community Organizer of RAC-Texas, the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism—one of Texas Impact’s member institutions. We always enjoy working with Emily across a range of policy issues, including public education and religious freedom. 
Over the last month, we have had several episodes about the holy seasons many of our traditions have been observing. Emily will join us today to talk about Passover and the intersection with advocacy.
Learn more about the work of RAC-Texas at rac.org/take-action/rac-your-state/rac-tx 

This week we are joined by Texas Impact's Climate Action Fellow, Becca Edwards, to help prepare for Earth Day on April 22. Becca has been meeting with many congregations talking about climate change, liberation theology, how communities of faith can engage in climate issues during this election season and so much more. So we thought we would bring those conversations to you as you think about what you and your congregation can do this Earth Day and beyond. One of the ways you can continue to engage this work is by joining the Texas Impact Climate Action Team!

This week we say goodbye to maybe our closest friend of the show, who has been on the program more than any other guest. Texas Impact announced last week that Advocacy Director Joshua Houston would be leaving soon to take a new position with Caritas of Austin. So we thought we needed to say goodbye (for now) with one last episode reminiscing on some of his proudest, and most hilarious, moments in his 14 years with Texas Impact. Keep the tissue box close by for this very special episode because we finally talk about feelings!
Find out ore about Caritas of Austin at caritasofaustin.org

Many Christians just finished Holy Week, Passover is coming and we are in the midst of Ramadan. All of those seasons can and should inspire people of faith to love our neighbor and have some intersection with advocating on behalf of our neighbors and communities at large.
This week, we have a friend of the program Usama Malik, Program Coordinator for Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary and Texas Impact Board Member, to talk with us about Ramadan and its intersection with advocacy work.
Our hope is that during these holy seasons, listeners will find meaning and peace and the strength and courage to do the work necessary to create a better and more just society during what promises to be a challenging year with plenty of opportunities for advocacy and civic engagement.
Find out more about the work of Muslim Space here: https://www.muslimspace.org

This week, we follow up on the conversation from two weeks ago in advance of the Texas Medical Board meeting. More than 2,000 Texans of faith signed Texas Impact’s petition calling for a rulemaking process to define the abortion exception in Texas state law relating to the life and health of the mother. We spoke about Steve and Amy Bresnen, two Austin attorneys and lobbyists from the aptly named BresnenAssociates who submitted that official petition to the Texas Medical Board. 
The Board did in fact begin the rulemaking process and introduced a draft rule for public comment. This week, we are fortunate to have the two petitioners, Amy and Steve Bresnen, for a conversation about that rule, the rulemaking process, and what YOU can do to help protect the lives and health of Texas women. 
Find the form to submit public comments to the Texas Medical Board here.
Sign Texas Impact's sign-on letter at txfaith.org/nogames