Grace Cathedral

Last weekend, youth from across the Bay Area met with our youth group for a transformative teach-in and art workshop about the Thirteenth Amendment and the national movement to abolish forced labor in prisons. 

With artists Akeil Robertson-Jowers, and Phoebe Bachman of Mural Arts, we went on a challenging but necessary journey through the history of racism and oppression in the US, following the throughline that runs from slavery to the current system of involuntary servitude in prisons. This system of involuntary servitude is made possible by an “exception” clause in the Thirteenth Amendment that means those incarcerated can be forced to work without compensation. 

These revelations led to a powerful discussion about how we can all be agents for change. We learned about the national End the Exception movement that is calling for an end to involuntary servitude. We also heard about the role of leaders in the Episcopal Church, including our Presiding Bishop, the Most Rev. Michael Bruce Curry, and other members of the Free at Last Coalition. 

Moved and inspired, we created a powerful piece of art calling for the end of slavery. This piece was blessed at our 6 pm Choral Eucharist, and will be on display permanently in the crypt of Grace.

We also made discoveries and connections that will stay with us forever. 

It was a privilege and honor to be part of this experience. I am so grateful to the youth and youth group leaders who participated from St. Mary’s the Virgin and St. James’ Episcopal churches, as well as congregants Ciara Bedingfield and Jodie Forve, who took these images.  

Thanks also go to Alma Robinson, Executive Director of California Lawyers for the Arts, and Amy Quirk of the Quirk Family Foundation for making this event possible.