No Longer a Negro
Hope Yen of the Associated Press reports that “Negro will no longer be used on U.S. Census surveys.” How does this change influence your understanding of identity in America?
Read MoreCategory: Race and Culture
Turn off all stereotypes
“Have you ever wondered what educated black people like? Why do we like baked chicken? Why do we love neo- soul? Why do we rock patterned stockings?” a woman asks. She then encourages viewers to discuss these topics with friends. I was recently directed to a website called “Stuff Educated Black People Like.” The list […]
Read MoreThe Abolitionists
A new three part PBS series, The Abolitionists, will premiere today (Jan.8) and highlight the role of faith in the anti- slavery convictions of American abolitionists. Resources Religion News Series, “PBS series depicts American abolitionists as fired by faith” PBS, American Experience: The Abolitionists (a video)
Read MoreThe Real Tragedy
Today, the children and staff of Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT return to class. It’s been three weeks and I still feel uncomfortable saying the name of the school because of the unspeakable crimes committed there. I stopped watching news coverage when the first funerals began. I just didn’t want anymore details. I didn’t want […]
Read MoreRobert Griffin III and Authentic Blackness
“Is he a brother or a cornball brother?” asked ESPN’s Rob Parker. He was questioning the so- called blackness of the Washington Pigskins quarterback, Robert Griffin III, because apparently there are qualifiers, though stereotypical (i.e. You cannot have a socially colored white fiancee and you cannot be Republican.), for authentic blackness. For Parker, RG III […]
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The Raceless Gospel 