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What should marriage be?
A “Should’ve Asked Question” While the Supreme Court mulls about trying to figure out what to do with the Frequently asked question: What do we do with “gay marriage”? we are actually left with more pertinent questions. Digging into the politics and legal cases for and against “marriage equality” send us into a spiral of…
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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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A Poem for Freddie Gray, Baltimore, and all of us
GUILT When the preacher said “I’m absolutely convinced that a riot merely intensifies the fears of the white community while relieving the guilt.” My white ears hear the condemnation and the righteous call for peace. My poet ears hear the economy of language and concern. My pastor ears hear the prophetic reminding us our guilt…
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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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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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The delicate disposition of the white southern man
After Rusty had killed the man (He shot him in the back) he needed to reshape the evidence. That man–he came at me! This, of course, was hogwash But the shots were justified (All 12 of them to the back) self-defense is such an easy excuse – he came at me! – he would claim…
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A Generational Theory
Silents expect to be trained. Boomers refuse to be trained. Xers expect to not be trained. Millenials demand to be trained.