Northwest Michigan Habitat for Humanity has once again sent out their feel-good/please-help mailer, complete with its Whitmer/Damoose photo, taken in Alanson. And once again it is right to admit that Habitat does help some folks get into affordable homes. But once again it is right to wonder why Habitat can't stay in its own lane. Let's check out some of its other-lane attempts at social engineering (from the HFHI website).
First off, Habitat claims that the world is facing an 'unprecedented climate challenge'; that there are 'increasingly common and severe weather events such as hurricanes, floods, wildfires, tornadoes, and droughts'; and that 'climate change has a disproportionate impact on the people we serve.'
So they purpose to 'contribute to the achievement of ... the [United Nations] 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.' And, 'We emphasize equity and inclusion to ensure that the most vulnerable members of a community are integrated.' To that end, they have created a new position - Global Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer. Congrats!
Second, to affirm its wokeness: '[S]ystemic and racial injustice ... have infused and informed the life of our nation - we recognize that we must do more. We must ... do a better job connecting issues of racial and social injustice with historic barriers to affordable housing.'
And how will Habitat signal its wokeness? It will a) celebrate Juneteenth annually as a Day of Reflection; b) take bold actions to ensure racial equity; c) affirm, through word and action, that Black Lives Matter, and further 'this fundamental truth'; d) name and uproot all forms of racism and white supremacy; and e) support the Black Lives Matter movement.
And, if anyone isn't quite on board with this agenda, Habitat offers suggested readings and listenings. Readings include ... The Color of Law, White Rage: The Unspoken Truth of Our Racial Divide, How to Be an Anti-Racist (Ibram X. Kendi), White Like Me: Reflections on Race from a Privileged Son, and The Case for Reparations (The Atlantic). Listenings include ... Slavery by Another Name (PBS) and The Urgency of Intersectionality. All this from a CEO who has a salary close to $500K per year, Jonathan Reckford.
Habitat's expanded mission is troubling, especially since millions of our tax dollars go into its coffers. ERG implores our elected officials (including Sen. John Damoose) to take a responsible stand against the transfer of public monies for non-governmental endeavors.
Lansing, stay in your lane too!