by Ashana Bigard, Amplify Justice/Liberation Collective
Ashana Bigard of Amplify Justice/Liberation Collective will be leading the Theme Talk for Faith Development Week on Star Island July 13 – 20, 2025: Collective Courage: Navigating Relationships and Justice
As I sit down to bid farewell to the Unitarian Universalist College of Social Justice, I find myself grappling with a profound sense of loss. In a world where hope often feels like a fading ember, this program has been a beacon of light, illuminating paths of understanding, allyship, and transformative justice for individuals across our country. The voices of those at the helm have enriched my experiences and changed countless lives: Kirsten Hunter, Rev. Deanna Vandiver, and Gina Collignon have facilitated not just a program but a community built on genuine relationships and shared values.
In these challenging times when the weight of hopelessness bears down on so many and the urgency of collective action is clearer than ever is it not ironic that we must say goodbye to a program that serves such a critical need? In my time with the College, I have witnessed how real change arises from the bonds we forge, especially among those with different backgrounds and perspectives. Each engagement has renewed my belief in the possibility of transformative justice, driven by deep connections rather than superficial alliances.
The work of social justice can often feel like an insurmountable tide, as if we are attempting to empty the ocean with a teaspoon, feeling utterly alone. The friendships cultivated in this program have provided solace and fortitude amidst adversity. Together, we have rallied around one another’s victories, supported each other through losses, and strategized in the face of overwhelming challenges. Whether confronting the painful reality of failed education experiments, disaster capitalism, wrongful detentions, addressing food deserts, or fighting for the rights of marginalized veterans and children, our collective spirit has illuminated pathways toward justice.
However, as I contemplate the future, the looming question echoes: How do I say goodbye when this program is still so desperately needed? The College has acted as a vital thread, weaving together organizers, activists, faith leaders, educators, and community from coast to coast, creating a resilient network committed to reclaiming our democracy in a time of urgent need.
Yet, I know the relationships formed here can endure beyond the confines of this program. The connections with Rev. Deanna, Gina, Kirsten, Rev. Bell, and many others will not fade simply because the College is concluding its formal facilitation. Each of us has a role to play in continuing this work. I am determined to fight for the recognition of the value this program has brought not just for myself or organizers in Louisiana but for those across the Delta, Mississippi, Texas, Alabama, and beyond a movement rooted in sustainable justice work.
In this moment of farewell, I am determined not to let this program’s impact diminish. I want to appeal to anyone who will listen. We must ensure that those who hold the power recognize how invaluable the College of Social Justice has been and will continue to be to activists, organizers, writers, and thinkers nationwide. I have stood in front of cameras and given my voice for justice in documentaries, including projects by Spike Lee. Yet, I have never felt more heard or understood than in the space created by the UU College of social justice.
Is there anyone I can speak to, anyone who would help us keep this vital work alive? I stand ready to act swiftly, to communicate the essential nature of this program. It is crucial not just for our collective future but for all our shared dreams within this movement.
As we navigate these transformative times, let’s not just say goodbye; let’s continue to carry the torch lit by our relationships and shared mission. Together, we will find ways to forge ahead, ensuring that hope does not flicker out, but rather burns brighter than before.
