Martin Luther King Jr
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Choose Life: Nonviolence, Repentance, and the Beloved Community
Last week, as images and stories once again emerged from Minneapolis—of violence, grief, outrage, murder, and communities crying out for justice—I had the privilege of traveling across the Southern United States on a Civil Rights Pilgrimage. What I encountered there… Continue reading
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A Catholic Pope, A Protestant King, and Hope for God’s Impossible Future
One of the most incredible moments of Pope Francis’s stay here in the United States occurred when he selected Martin Luther King, Jr. as among the “greatest Americans”—but not just for the reason one might think. Yes, his decision to… Continue reading
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Telling Tales: Ferguson and the Church
In recent weeks, many white people have relied on these stories to make sense of and defend themselves against the events in Ferguson and New York. Above all, these stories of white supremacy allow white people to remain undisturbed and… Continue reading
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Martin Luther King, Jr. Was Not A Political Conservative
Some things to keep in mind on this fiftieth anniversary of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s famous “I Have A Dream” speech, a day when everyone is claiming King as their ideological ally. 1) Martin Luther King was against imperialism and… Continue reading
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How Should White Advocates of LGBT Rights Speak About Black History?
In 1996, famed Civil Rights leader John Lewis was one of very few Congressional representatives to vote against the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). It passed the House by a vote of 432 to 67. The U.S. Senate affirmed it… Continue reading
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White Supremacy, U.S. Citizenship, and the Body of Christ
This week marked the 2nd anniversary of the Haiti earthquake and the 51st anniversary of the CIA-backed assassination of Patrice Lumumba–the Congo’s first democratically-elected leader following its independence from Belgium. Also this week, the school district of Tuscon, Arizona decided… Continue reading
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Remembering Martin Luther King, Jr.
Last year on Martin Luther King Day, I reflected upon MLK’s radical critique of U.S. imperialism, an aspect of his legacy which is often forgotten. This year, I would like us to remember that racism continues to pervade nearly all aspects… Continue reading
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The 43rd Anniversary of MLK, Jr.’s Assassination
“Amen, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his native place.” Luke 4:28 It is easy to forget that, at the time of his assassination, Martin Luther King, Jr. was not a beloved figure. He was considered a… Continue reading