Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life

Last week, the Initiative for Catholic Social Thought and Public Life continued its
series of Salt and Light Gatherings with Politics as a Vocation: Personal Perspectives on Catholic Faith and Public Service. Held in the U.S. Capitol building, this event brought together young Catholic professionals from across the city to hear insights on the challenges and joys of living the Catholic faith through public office. Speakers Representative Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE), Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), and Representative Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) addressed a crowd of nearly 70 young professionals and students in a House of Representatives meeting room. The energy in the room was buzzing as the attendees awaited each fantastic presenter in this dynamic setting.

Copley Formal Lounge was bursting at the seams to provide seating for all those eagerly awaiting to engage with an ex-white nationalist. Derek Black is not just anyone who has denounced white nationalism. He was considered the heir of such a movement and even popularized the term “white genocide” on his daily radio show. After two years attending New College of Florida, his seemingly normal world was exposed on his college’s online forum. Black described how this tension-filled backlash changed the direction of his life.