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Four Dead in Ohio
“Ohio” by Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young Kent state was nearly a decade before I was born, but ever since I was in college, I found a deep attachment to this moment. It could be any campus, and really was: Kent State (May 4, 1970), its twin event at Jackson State (May 15, 1970), and the…
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Je Suis Baltimore?
It has been a week. A week since peaceful protests were transformed into an uprising. A week since the eyes of the world descended on the city to watch images that, since the dystopian experience of those living the protest and militarized police response in Ferguson, MO last year, have become increasingly familiar: flames, destruction…
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Grace in the streets of Baltimore
We might think it strange that the most significant image of grace and protection is shown by the uniting factions of rival gangs. We might think that these purveyors of violence would never be our example, our witness to grace. Of course, we’d be ignorant of what gangs hope for. Ignorant of what the people need.…
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Gamergate and making the world safe for bullying
I think I figured out what has been bothering me about #gamergate. Here’s what I know in an oversimplified narrative: 1. Several journalist gamers (virtually all women) were victims of doxing and bullying online for writing about video games as if it were the mature, mainstream medium that it has become over the last 20 years.…
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Bishop Waynick Calls for Election of 11th Bishop of Diocese of Indianapolis
Saturday, at the first part of the 178th Convention of the Diocese of Indianapolis, Bishop Catherine Waynick called on the diocese to elect her successor. Bishop Waynick is certainly a force, and her leadership will have a lasting impact on the region. Her announcement was eloquent and compassionate. The way this happened is instructive for the church,…
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What Ben Affleck reveals about our deepest need
When I heard that one of Ben Affleck’s ancestors owned slaves, I didn’t even blink. That he didn’t want to share that on national television surprised me even less. In our gotcha era of dualisms and polarities, an outspoken liberal actor/writer/director would be easy fodder for the outspoken conservative media personalities. His deep shame, perhaps…
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Don’t have time for taking sides
In a defensive rant a sci-fi author describes the concerns he has posed for his side. In a rising conflict over church practice, parishioners appeal for others to take their side. On Facebook, you post a meme about gender politics and your friends try to convince you that you are betraying your side. Or your other friends tell…
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I’m Reevaluating the Cross
After listening to Tony Jones speak about his new book, Did God Kill Jesus on Homebrewed Christianity, I found myself being pushed into new territory in my faith. Partly because I probably am one of those progressive Christians who wants to sanitize the faith and take the blood out of it. I think there’s more…