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”
Category Archives: justice
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”
“That’s why I don’t watch the news,” #notallmen and the global protection of rape culture
He was for real the sweetest guy I’ve ever met. I had opened up my home to a couple of people coming to Oakland for a conference for activists. We totally bonded over finding a space to create our own identities rather than the identities the world tried to impose on us. He told meContinue reading ““That’s why I don’t watch the news,” #notallmen and the global protection of rape culture”
Yo pastor is so poor… reflections on Lent, poverty and justice
Lent is a season of sacrifice or spiritual renewal in the Christian tradition, 40 days (plus Sundays) leading up to Easter to deeply consider one’s life. Or Lent is a way of providing a little dignity to really poor people. That’s how it started out, according to my mother. And this brings me some solaceContinue reading “Yo pastor is so poor… reflections on Lent, poverty and justice”
The wages of prosperity: why I support the upcoming Oakland minimum wage campaign
This weekend, you might see someone at the grocery store or BART station asking you if you to sign something. This time, it really matters. The Lift Up Oakland coalition is bringing hope back to Oakland by proposing we raise the minimum wage to $12.25 with paid sick days. (This is good news for allContinue reading “The wages of prosperity: why I support the upcoming Oakland minimum wage campaign”
Sandhya Rani Jha 