Tag Archives: Jesus

Lynching: Michael Donald

While most think of lynchings as something from another era, lynchings while not as numerous went well into the 20th century. The last recorded lynching was on the 21st of March, 1981. The young man’s name was Michael Donald, and he was lynched at the age of 19.  Even though we no longer have lynchingsContinue reading “Lynching: Michael Donald”

Lynching: The Cross and The Lynching Tree

Prominent African American theologian James Cone has made the connection between crucifixions in the first century under the Roman Empire  and lynchings in post Civil War America. Both of these rugged trees were used to maintain control over a people group. Criminals, revolutionaries, and innocent men were hung up on these trees to not onlyContinue reading “Lynching: The Cross and The Lynching Tree”

Lynchings: A Public Spectacle

While we tend to think of lynchings as an act by a few hateful individuals, the reality is that often times it was an event for the whole family. Many times as seen above, the whole town came out to watch the black body swing until the last breath has gone out. Often black malesContinue reading “Lynchings: A Public Spectacle”

Lynching: An American Symbol

Unfortunately, lynching is as much an American symbol as applie pie.  You don’t have to teach people about a noose, because even if someone doesn’t know the details, a noose’s meaning is embedded deep into America’s core.  It’s an ugly part of our history that most want to ignore or forget.  That is because lynchingsContinue reading “Lynching: An American Symbol”

Lynchings: Strange Fruit by Billie Holiday

Here is old footage of Billie Holiday performing her classic song Strange Fruit. Strange Fruit is a powerful and vivid song describing the henous lynchings that took place in the south. The strange fruit was the dead black bodies that were left hanging on the trees. This practice of lynching black bodies (especially black males)Continue reading “Lynchings: Strange Fruit by Billie Holiday”

The Perpetuation of Racial Inequality

One more from Divided by Faith, it says “The logic is straightforward. (1) In the United States there is racial inequality in access to valued resources (see Chapter One). (2) Access to valued resources–such as jobs, prestige, wealth, and power–is gained in significant part through social ties. (3) As we have previously discussed, for reasonsContinue reading “The Perpetuation of Racial Inequality”

Racialized Society

Here is a quote from the book Divided By Faith by Michael Emerson and Christian Smith. ‘The racialized society is one in which intermarriage rates are low, residential separation and socioeconomic inequality are the norm, our definitions of personal identity and our choices of intimate associations reveal racial distinctiveness, and where “we are never unawareContinue reading “Racialized Society”

A Prayer of Blessing from the Wilderness

In the midst of confusion, famine, drought, and struggle, while located in what seemed to be the most unfruitful place one could find themselves God commanded the Levites to pray this prayer of blessing over the Israelites. If you are in your own wilderness right now, this might be a timely blessing from God. BeContinue reading “A Prayer of Blessing from the Wilderness”

Tom Skinner’s “If Christ is the Answer, What are the questions?

  Sometimes in order to move forward, you have to look back. I am really excited after finding an old copy of Tom Skinner’s book “If Christ is the Answer, What are the Questions?” on Amazon.  Skinner has always been a hero of mine, and was also a family friend. While he is no longerContinue reading “Tom Skinner’s “If Christ is the Answer, What are the questions?”