Drew Downs

Make a New Normal

Racism

  • For decades the white power movement has tricked the U.S. into letting them organize without holding them responsible for their actions. One guy stockpiles a bunch of weapons. He makes a plan. Then he writes a manifesto. And then, when the time is right, he goes out to kill a bunch of people. We shouldn’t…

  • For many, talking about racism and white supremacy is hard. Of course, that’s by design. The white power movement intends to confuse you. The terms always guide the debate. But sometimes we mistake our seeking clarity of the terms for doing the work. There are so many names for racists and their organizations. Are we…

  • Jesus gives us a response to the questions of our time. In the face of fear and confusion, he offers something clear: a world to transform. And you’re too afraid to answerProper 14C | Luke 12:32-40 When somebody says “Do not be afraid,” my first response is Wait, should I be? I want to know…

  • In the Eyes

    By the time we get to Luke 12:13-21, Jesus has radically rejected our will to racism and hate, revealing the true way of life is equality and love. Standing for dignity means also standing against indignityProper 13C | Luke 12:13-21 I know you are super excited to hear a sermon about a real estate question,…

  • The bigger argument doesn’t rely on facts. Fact-checking racist tweets is only so useful. But it is really, really enticing. When the president suggested four U.S. Representatives “go back” to other countries he offered the kind of red meat few can resist. Not that resisting that impulse is actually better. It is not. But many…

  • Our silence on racism begins with a paradox we feel compelled to ignore.