What I Never Knew: Reading Richard Wright
The first time I read Richard Wright’s 1937 essay, “The Ethics of Living Jim Crow: An Autobiographical Sketch,” it took my breath away. I stumbled across it while flipping through a fat volume I’d checked out of the library, The … Continue reading What I Never Knew: Reading Richard Wright
Racist Roots of a Revolutionary Nation
If we truly seek harmony in these yet to be United States, we must stop the hagiography of its founding and fix the fragmentation built into this nation of our cohabitation. Continue reading Racist Roots of a Revolutionary Nation
The June Issue: When “I’m Sorry” just won’t do. Real Talk About Reparations
On June 19th, America observes the newest National Holiday, Juneteenth. That day we commemorated when Texas’ enslaved people received the news that they were set free two years after the fact. Today many Americas don’t want to acknowledge the wrong … Continue reading The June Issue: When “I’m Sorry” just won’t do. Real Talk About Reparations
Antiracist Resistance: How Reparations May Be The Missing Prescription
“Need a Different Med” “What in the world are you doing back here?” I stood in the doorway, confused by my patient’s appearance and mere presence. He winced as he shifted upright in his bed, bracing the same shoulder that … Continue reading Antiracist Resistance: How Reparations May Be The Missing Prescription
Remorse, Taking Responsibility, and Reparations
“Please, we need your help. We have recently suffered from the worst of possible tragedies, of which we had no part in this most unfortunate matter that has been so egregious and damaging to our crops, property, and livestock. Our … Continue reading Remorse, Taking Responsibility, and Reparations
Reparations and the Economy
The US American experience has always been one created by, driven by, managed by, andmotivated by money and the economy. Racist capitalism is the preface, premise, and table ofcontents for the American storybook. The ills of slavery and native genocide … Continue reading Reparations and the Economy
Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation – a Next Way Forward
In early January I walked through the Sand Creek Massacre exhibit at the Colorado History Museum. As I took in the experience, the atrocities done against indigenous peoples were on full display – broken treaties, forced displacement, and murder. While … Continue reading Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation – a Next Way Forward
The Problem with Reparations: Why I am Seeking Shalom
I have to admit that I’m not a fan of the notion of reparations as it is discussed in conversations about racial redress. This is not because I don’t think that African-Americans deserve to be restored for 404 years of … Continue reading The Problem with Reparations: Why I am Seeking Shalom
Why do reparations trigger fear in the hearts of so many white people?
To answer this question, I need to first talk about power, and more specifically, the fear of losing power. I have had to do my own serious unpacking around power and fear. In doing so, I found myself having to … Continue reading Why do reparations trigger fear in the hearts of so many white people?
Three-Fifths 