In this episode, Kelly interviews author, speaker, and immigrant advocate, Karen González, about what it looks like to, and ways we can, center immigrants in the Christian response to immigration. They discuss:
the importance of language and the words we choose to use (or choose to unlearn) when talking about immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers, as well as the real consequences of that language in their lives
ethics para joder, where citizens and immigrants partner together to "screw with the system" and defy unjust laws for the protection and flourishing of all
practical, actionable ways we can move the needle toward justice and equity and flourishing for immigrants on both small and large scales, locally and nationally...
and the political landscape of recent history and where things stand currently, and what that means for how we vote and what we do in the meantime.
THE CONGRESSIONAL SWITCHBOARD PHONE NUMBER TO CALL TO BE CONNECTED TO YOUR CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVE & SENATORS IS (202) 224-3121.
GUEST BIO: Karen González is a writer, speaker, and immigrant advocate who emigrated from Guatemala as a child. She attended Fuller Theological Seminary, where she studied theology and missiology, and has worked in the nonprofit sector for 13 years. In addition to her first book, The God Who Sees: Immigrants, The Bible, and the Journey to Belong, she has written for Christianity Today, the Christian Century, Sojourners, and The Baltimore Sun. Her second book, Beyond Welcome, was released in October of 2022. She lives in Baltimore, Maryland.
You can find her on Twitter and IG @_karenjgonzalez, on her website at karen-gonzalez.com or on her substack at karengonzalez.substack.com.
