sandhyarjha

Faith, fast food and the paddy wagon

photographs by Brooke Anderson: http://www.movementphotographer.com/ My father worries that if I ever try to go into politics, my arrest will ruin my career. “Not in Oakland,” I told him consolingly. “Ah yes,” he said; “Jerry Brown is from Oakland.” Neither of us is sure Jerry Brown’s been arrested for anything, but he remembered that IContinue reading “Faith, fast food and the paddy wagon”

When focusing on the “racist” upholds a broken system

or: When are we going to get real about poor people of color wanting to be safe and the underpinnings of the police force undermining the efforts of good police? I just came across this article about an Oakland firefighter filing a discrimination case because he and his young sons were held at gunpointContinue reading “When focusing on the “racist” upholds a broken system”

The heart (not just the head) of anti-racism

I was reminded today about why I do anti-racism work. By way of background, I am in the redwoods, at an AMAZING retreat with twenty other “young” changemakers. (The age range is 20-40ish.) It has been a phenomenal week grounded in how we can support each other to strengthen our work and how we canContinue reading “The heart (not just the head) of anti-racism”

Dedicating babies and what the church can be

I am missing the gene that is supposed to make me, as a woman of (rapidly waning) childbearing years baby crazy, but yesterday I hosted a baby dedication that reminded me of what church could be. I’ve been to (and performed) baby dedications and baptisms and sometimes they are moving for the immediate family, andContinue reading “Dedicating babies and what the church can be”

Indian Independence, a wandering Aramean and what makes up identity

“Jai Hind!” I greeted my Sikh neighbors in the elevator this morning. “Jai Hind!” the husband laughed in response. “I told my co-workers yesterday that I should get today off because it’s my July 4th!” I didn’t grow up celebrating Indian Independence. I knew when St. Andrew’s Day was when I was in Kindergarten, because myContinue reading “Indian Independence, a wandering Aramean and what makes up identity”

Michael Brown, Worship this Sunday, and Confusing Unity with Comfort

I am tired of my church breaking my family’s heart. I wasn’t going to write about Michael Brown. Many others have already done so, reflectively and powerfully, including writing about the role of the White church in the midst of this moment of pain. I wasn’t going to write about it because I’ve written on itContinue reading “Michael Brown, Worship this Sunday, and Confusing Unity with Comfort”

Homelessness, the woman on my patio and the Woman at the Well

Sermon preached at First Christian Church of Palo Alto, August 10, 2014. Text: John 4:5-15 (with references to later verses), the story of the Woman at the Well Preamble to the sermon: I am known in some circles for preaching a really up-on-your-feet, clap and shout amen kind of sermon. I think that was whyContinue reading “Homelessness, the woman on my patio and the Woman at the Well”

Are we getting played? Workers and small business owners are not enemies

Reflections on the Lift Up Oakland campaign for a fair wage (and its alternative) It was hard not to be fired up at the rally last Tuesday for a $12.25 minimum wage in the city of Oakland. Courageous workers stood at the podium and shared their struggles to care for a family on a minimumContinue reading “Are we getting played? Workers and small business owners are not enemies”

The case against “rent a collar:” religion and workers’ rights

Workers Prayer Lord Jesus, We offer you this day our works, Our hopes and struggles, Our joys and sorrows. Give us and all workers of the world The grace to work as you did So that everything we do May benefit our fellowmen and Glorify GOD, our Father. Your Kingdom come Into allContinue reading “The case against “rent a collar:” religion and workers’ rights”

The Myth of Street Smarts versus Book Smarts

Delivered June 13, 2014, at Disciples Divinity House at the University of Chicago annual Convocation. I looked, and a hand was stretched out to me, and a written scroll was in it. He spread it before me; it had writing on the front and on the back, and written on it were words of lamentation andContinue reading “The Myth of Street Smarts versus Book Smarts”