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Why we need more than a month for “black history”
Every February, Black History Month, Americans engage in a futile attempt to squeeze into 28 days the history of a people whose tribulations, contributions and successes are on every page of the American narrative. For African Americans, at least, the struggle to tell our story and make sense of our place in the American saga never recedes from view. Understanding…
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Walking in the darkness
David Brooks has been one of my favorite writers over the years. I have loved his columns in the New York Times and other media outlets as well as his books. Over the years he has allowed more of his own humanity into his writing and a recent column shows the depths of his own humanity in a new way.…
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Brokenhearted
“Being brokenhearted leads to clarity about our unwillingness to abide racist behavior. It is very disheartening to hear white people who are not trying to move beyond being allies try to explain acts of racist terror and other daily denigrations of people of color with oversimplifications instead of properly naming them. The energy generated from a broken heart will not…
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Moving from an ally to something deeper
“Ponder this: If you were dying, who would you prefer to be accompanying you on the journey — an ally or a fellow pilgrim?” — Catherine Meeks
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We are human… don’t become less
Some good thoughts in an age where “AI” writes papers, articles, journal articles, tells you the milk is low in the fridge and you’re not moving enough: If, say, you’re a college student preparing for life in an A.I. world, you need to ask yourself: Which classes will give me the skills that machines will not replicate, making me more…
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The wrestling
I have come to a place in my daily reading where the Lord has me once again tapping the brakes and saying, “Slow down. Stay here. I have something to say.” So many times I cherish these moments. These soft words. This time, I know I need it because one of the passages is Jacob wrestling with God (Gen. 32:22ff),…
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Why I keep talking and trying
Most of the time, I would imagine, I can come across to others (not here) as someone who can talk about sports and some news events in the world. A typical white guy. Get me talking about baseball or Kansas Jayhawks or the Chiefs… just look out. And that’s true. And there is a reason for it. It’s as far…
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Yes, I see color
“…I have concluded that for the most part such comments (“I don’t see color”) are an attempt to communicate a willingness to see beyond color. That’s admirable, but proclaiming not to see color does not get that point across very well. White people who are determined to confront racism in the outer world and in their inner world need to…
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Fear, rage, and continuing injustice
THIS ONE HAS OFFENSIVE LANGUAGE.
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A prayer for justice
Almighty God, you created us in your own image: Grant us grace to contend fearlessly against evil and to make NO PEACE with oppression; and help us to use our freedom rightly in the establishment of justice in our communities and among the nations, to the glory of your holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns…
