This morning I sat down to write a letter to a beloved recent teen in my life, a newly minted thirteen-year-old. We go to protests a lot, and museums where we learn about farm workers and the Black Panthers and the American Indian Movement. This beloved recent teen has been to hell and back, andContinue reading “Nonviolence, privilege and grief. Thoughts on South Carolina and a child I love.”
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On D’Angelo, Warriors fans, race and culture
The intersection of pop culture and race is some complicated stuff. There came point at the D’Angelo concert last night and when the joy went out of the show for me. That’s saying something, because I spent a whole lot more money than I have to be there and have been looking forward to itContinue reading “On D’Angelo, Warriors fans, race and culture”
That guy from Duke and the model minority myth
In Ohio, there’s a phrase we’d use to talk about Professor Jerry Hough: “God love him.” It’s different than the Southern “Bless his heart,” which has a little bit of syrup and a little bit of venom, and is sometimes used to a person’s face. In Ohio, as my friend Tami pointed out, we sayContinue reading “That guy from Duke and the model minority myth”
How Marcus Borg gave me hope
Renowned liberal theologian and Historical Jesus scholar Marcus Borg passed away yesterday at the age f 72. In honor of his life, here is my brief reflection on how his wisdom helped me in my ministry. I only got to hear renowned theologian Marcus Borg speak once. It was interesting. I was grateful for the chanceContinue reading “How Marcus Borg gave me hope”
Christmas values – Day 6: Charity
“Scrooge was better than his word. He did it all, and infinitely more; and to Tiny Tim, who did not die, he was a second father. He became as good a friend, as good a master, and as good a man, as the good old city knew, or any other good old city, town, orContinue reading “Christmas values – Day 6: Charity”
Dr. King, Ms. Morrison, and a random thought on my impending birthday
I am currently watching Toni Morrison on the Colbert Report, and he just mentioned a fact I hadn’t realized: Toni Morrison was 39 when she wrote her first book. I mention this because on January 2, I will turn 39. The reason that age is so significant to me is that Dr. King was killedContinue reading “Dr. King, Ms. Morrison, and a random thought on my impending birthday”
বিনম্র শ্রদ্ধা — Remembering Sushil Kumar Jha
My uncle has always had somewhat legendary status in my nuclear family. He’s the reason my father came west. When our family in India needed some financial assistance, my uncle took a job with a mining company and used every spare penny to send my father to Scotland so my father could get a westernContinue reading “বিনম্র শ্রদ্ধা — Remembering Sushil Kumar Jha”
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”
Sandhya Rani Jha 