February Theme: Ties That Bind
At the beginning of Black history month’s annual observance to recognize African American contributions to American history, we still remember the hurt from last year’s Los Angeles City Council’s racist recording scandal against Black and indigenous people. This involved three majority Latino City Council members, led by former Council President Nury Martinez. Though the African American, Indigenous, and Hispanic/Latino communities have traveled different pathways, these communities share a parallel quest for equity. We will examine how BIPOC communities differ from one another, and what commonalities they share. Finally, how do we all, including allies and accomplices, come together to thwart … Continue reading February Theme: Ties That Bind
We Are Hope
“Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,I am the dream and the hope of the slave.”-Maya Angelou I am still the hope and the dream of the slave. In naming this, it is equally important to name the role of … Continue reading We Are Hope
Who is in? Who is out?
Jesus directly addressed in/outgroup behavior in Matthew 5: 44,47 he said, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. . . .If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Aren’t even tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Don’t even pagans do that?” Continue reading Who is in? Who is out?
White Pastor, Black Theology
“What do you think Jesus looks like?” asked the pastor who was leading the baptismal study. I said something like, “He has long hair and a beard and wears a robe.” The straightness of his hair was more or less … Continue reading White Pastor, Black Theology
After Life
Featuring Special Guest Contributors Keri Leigh Merrit and Yohuru Williams, who offer an op-ed I adapted/pulled from the Conclusion of their book After Life. Continue reading After Life
Finding Hope in Despair By Keri Leigh Merritt & Yohuru Williams
As Franklin Delano Roosevelt observed about the people who lived through the Great Depression, “Thisgeneration of Americans has a rendezvous with destiny.” The truth is, given the historical events of thepast several years, we now do, too. The long shadow … Continue reading Finding Hope in Despair By Keri Leigh Merritt & Yohuru Williams
Broken Toys In The Attic, and Forever Battles of Yesterday’s War.
In the words of the former Mayor of New Orleans, Mitch Landrieu, ‘We Cannot Be Afraid Of The Truth.’ His words were from a 2017 speech decrying monuments that glorified the confederacy – relics of a fractured nation, (The Broken … Continue reading Broken Toys In The Attic, and Forever Battles of Yesterday’s War.
History or His Story
On Aug. 13, 2017, a group of white nationalists headed to Charlottesville, NC, to protest the removal of a Confederate statue. Marching out of America’s history of racist ideology with tiki torches and chants of “Jews will not replace us,” … Continue reading History or His Story
The Truth will set Us Free!
So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “if you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31-32)[1]! In American society, we … Continue reading The Truth will set Us Free!
Three-Fifths 