CHARIS: “MLK 50 Years” by Dr. Jerry Taylor and Dr. Doug Foster
This talk was originally given on September 28th, 2017. CHARIS
Read MoreTag Archives: racial unity
Why White Christians Should Know Black History
The past few months, I have had several conversations with White Christians surrounding Black History. In these conversations, I have shared how Africa is one of the wealthiest continents in the world due to its high volume of minerals, diamonds, gold and other natural resources. I have shared some current studies of how…
Read MoreNot My Sin, Not My Problem
There was a small platform, a single microphone, and two large speakers set up just outside the campus center. A large crowd was beginning to form, so I rushed to see what was happening. As I came within earshot of the demonstration, I heard the voice of one of my students. She had…
Read MoreTo White Christian Leaders
As a millennial African American leader, the past couple of months I have been fortunate to share meals with friends and associates who are white church leaders, missiologists, or ordinary good people. The conversations for most of these engagements were centered on the racial tensions that are evident throughout America. Most of my…
Read MoreFor the Kids
My childhood was awesome. I spent a substantial part of my childhood in rural Indiana, with a large backyard and a wild pack of older brothers. My most vivid childhood memories involve the joy of being small—hiding in our ramshackle fortresses during Nerf gun fights, wandering through cornfield mazes behind our house, crawling…
Read MoreWe Are Not Issues, We Are People
I remember the first time I was referred to as an “issue.” Growing up in a Church of Christ as a strong-willed, outspoken, female leader had its ups and downs. But rather than shut me down, my family tried to foster spiritual formation in my gifts, and my church family loved me despite…
Read MoreThe Machine: A Tale of Racism, Power, and Secrecy in Alabama
The devil took an Alabama student to a very high mountain and showed her Bryant-Denny stadium, and said to her, “All this I will give you…well, not all, but I will give you mediocre seats this season.” “Must I fall down and worship you?” she asked, certain her church-going parents would disapprove. “No…
Read MoreBus Ride for Justice
I’m taking a break this month from my ongoing Managing the Tension series to share something else I’ve written with you. You can find the articles in that series here: Introduction, Global & Local 1, Global & Local 2, Change & Stability. In September, our local newspaper, the Jackson Clarion-Ledger, asked me to write a brief article for…
Read MoreMaking it Personal: Conversations in Racial Unity
“Sweetheart, I hate to ask, but do you lock your bedroom door at night?” the middle aged white woman, concerned for my safety, cautiously whispered while reaching out for my hand. Her words seemed to spiral in my head and down to my chest as I struggled to respond. “No, ma’am…he’s…well, my brother.”…
Read MoreThe Riots and the Cross
I know many of us are tired, overwhelmed, and perplexed by the stories we’ve been hearing lately of race-related violence, police brutality, protests, riots, and counter-protests. I certainly am. When I heard the news from Charleston this past week, all of this hit home for me in a new way. Perhaps this is…
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