Before & After Ferguson

Persons who are protesting the shooting of unarmed teenager, Mr. Michael Brown, Jr., are saying, “I can’t believe we’re here again, that we’re doing this again.”  Some are angry and even disappointed that they are seeing the same old seemingly race- based, race- driven stories and they are responding the same way, using the same words […]

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Ferguson: Given Our History

“We are trapped in history and history is trapped in us,” James Baldwin said.  Perhaps, it is time to remove the snare, to be free to live in the moment.  To receive the present as a gift of newness. While I am certainly one who loves history, reflection and meditating on words of old, I […]

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Ferguson: Healing the Wounded Now

“Hands up; don’t shoot!”  It is the rallying cry of persons whose eyes are on and hearts are with the family of Mr. Michael Brown, Jr.  and the people of Ferguson.  It is an instruction given to police officers, reminding them of the universal sign of surrender and the appropriate action when it is given. […]

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Ferguson: The Healing Process

I have heard throughout this ordeal involving the death of Mr. Michael Brown and resultant protests, looting and rioting of the “old wounds” that have been reopened.  Apparently, “race relations” in the city have been bad for decades and Mr. Brown’s death is the straw that broke the community’s back.  His dead body lying on the street […]

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A Prayer for Ferguson

Last night, I sat in front of my television until after midnight.  I watched with a mixture of disbelief and disgust the unbelievable story of Ferguson.  There have been conflicting reports as to who initiated last night’s confusion whether with molotov cocktails from the protesters or tear gas from the police officers.  At this point, I […]

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