Yet, in the midst of this turbulence, there's a powerful desire for values that ground us in kindness, justice, peace, and appreciation for one another, regardless of differences. It's like we're hoping to find a way forward that cultivates a garden of hope and understanding. We want to see flowers blooming across our dusty, sad landscape.
Like many, I enjoy watching YouTube videos. I’m not addicted—well, not yet. Occasionally, I stumble upon a video I didn’t know I needed to see. Wonderful.
James was born in Central Texas to a single mom who fled abuse. Through that experience, he learned the importance of standing up for those in danger and in need of help. He was educated at the University of Texas, Austin, and gained a Master of Education from Harvard. Returning to Texas, he joined Teach for America and taught English at a public middle school.
In 2018, he jumped into politics. Well, actually, he walked. James walked the full length of his district, becoming one of Texas’s youngest State Representatives at 28 years old.
Youcan read more about James Talarico here.
James’s work in the Texas legislature is a blend of heartfelt dedication and relentless advocacy, driven by his life experiences and unwavering belief in a more just and equitable society.
He capped insulin at $25, reformed state school financing to be more equitable, increased school mental health programs, and reduced student-to-teacher classroom sizes. He became known as a legislator who got things done.
The YouTube video which I needed to see was a powerful sermon on the Separation of Church and State, a topic of great relevance in this era of christian nationalism. He doesn’t lecture; he paints a vivid picture of what true freedom, justice, and peace look like in a democratic society that respects both religious diversity and secular governance.
What makes James's talk compelling is how he connects with everyone. Whether in a church sanctuary or at a computer, tablet or phone, his words restores life to bedrock values.
Whether you are Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish, Humanist, or none of the above, his words speak to the universal desire for a just, peaceful, and compassionate society. He shares stories from different traditions, showing how each one values the harmony that comes from mutual respect and understanding.
James doesn’t just talk about past history. He brings the conversation into our present times. He points out that in times when hateful speech and violence are all too common, we need to hold onto foundational principles more than ever.
By the end of his talk, James will have you not just thinking but feeling a deep sense of responsibility. He calls on us to be voices of reason and compassion in our communities, to stand up for the values of justice, kindness, peace, and the diversity of our beloved community. It isn’t just a call to understand the separation of church and state. No, it's a call to be lived out in our daily life.
I hope this video becomes a special one for you. May it become something you didn’t know you needed til you saw it. We're planting seeds in barren soil, trusting that flowers will come where there once was only dust.
