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The Problem of Proof
Having to prove a white dude hates blacks to even charge racism is like having to prove a spree killer hated his specific victims to even charge him with murder.
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Other People’s Clothes
In the front load washer, I can see whites and darks and grays mixed together. The checked blue shirt, gym shorts with the single cinched drawstring, and the lacy number that may be a halter top. I look at your clothes like an alien species or as a xenophobe looks at their neighbor, considering him…
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No More Racists
We struggle with truly understanding racism. Many of us think that racism is what begins inside our hearts. That racism is the necessary outward expression of an internal feeling of bias or racial animus. That one hates another so much that they intentionally push them down and oppress them. We often think that racism is only…
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What is Wrong?
We blame immigrants We blame minorities We blame women We blame sexuality We blame immorality We blame liberals We blame conservatives We blame judges We blame cops We blame communities We blame mothers We blame fathers We blame workers We blame corporations We blame executives We blame bankers We blame lawyers We blame soldiers We…
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When the Leader Is Not the Problem
We are eager in the U.S. to blame our leaders and hold them responsible for our dysfunction. I am now realizing that this often should not be the case. Or, to be honest, it should rarely be the case. A friend reminded me in the spring as I spoke to him about some structural plans…
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Focus on the Body
The body of Michael Brown lay in the street for over four hours. Nearly every conversation I have had or story I’ve consumed about Michael Brown has focused on the circumstances or the politics surrounding his death. We have focused on what led up to the shooting, about the character, the police, the press, the…
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Who Survives: the morbid morality of The Walking Dead
[Warning: While I am not recapping the most recent episode, there are some spoilers from “The Grove” and from earlier episodes in Season 4. I’ll leave the recaps for EW and The Daily Beast. The subject however, remains difficult and not suitable for all readers.] Last night’s episode of The Walking Dead, “The Grove” is…
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A generic response to prejudice
It has come to my attention that someone has recently acted in a prejudicial way. They said or did something that showed prejudice toward one or more minorities. I found these actions deplorable. However, as a Christian, I am confused about how I am to respond. I promise in my baptismal covenant to seek Christ…