Posts Tagged ‘Race and Religion’
Black and Brown Make Green
Back in 2010, I was teaching part-time for Operation Understanding, a leadership development program for Black and Jewish high school students in Philadelphia. We did lots of things together. But, the most intense part of that experience was during the summer. We spent the month of July traveling around the country on a bus. We…
Read More#RefuseToBeComplicit with White Supremacy in Your Church
An open letter to white people of faith:
At every point in the history of the United States there have been people whose faith has provided the bedrock for lifelong efforts to end violence, oppression, and inequity—Dorothy Day, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, Bishop Gene Robinson—and there have been others who have used their religion as a weapon to further these same forces; to maintain the oppressive status quo rather than challenge it.
Read MoreBridging Beyond Binaries: Painting Gloria Anzaldúa
One of the great joys of being an artist and writer is working on commissions, enlivening in paint, canvas, and word the stories of revolutionary holy women who have emboldened and inspired the one commissioning the Holy Woman Icon. Gloria Anzaldúa was on my list of holy women for a while when Dr. Robyn Henderson-Espinoza…
Read MoreAffirming LGBTQ People In The Black Church
Much of the pain and suffering LGBTQ African Americans experience in theologically conservative churches happens in silence and secret. Some LGBTQ congregants do not even recognize the source of their pain, because sexuality, let alone non-heterosexuality, is not discussed or taught in many African American churches. Black LGBTQ people are often unaware that some of…
Read MoreBuilding a Racially Responsible LGBTQIA Christian Movement
Last week Wade Davis offered this invitation to white Americans in response to what happened in Charlottesville: This grand display of domestic terrorism offers America yet another opportunity to confront white supremacy, not just white supremacists. And only self-identified white liberals and progressives are the individuals who should answer the call. Confronting or condemning white…
Read MoreSetting Black Mothers Free
As a teenager, I went to youth Bible study on Wednesdays, choir rehearsal on Fridays, and volunteered with the Children’s Ministry on Saturdays. My week, and my network of friends, revolved around social activities in church. We traveled from place to place because safe and loving adults cared to drive us from place to place.…
Read MoreCisgender Solidarity With Black Trans Women
You would think that we, those of us belonging to the LGBTQ community of faith would be mourning you and conspiring towards how we can work to protect you and cherish you in our communities. However, the silence around your death, Chyna Gibson, is deafening. As a black queer cisgender woman, I know that pain…
Read MoreBlack History Prayer for Those of Us In the Margins
For those whose families never healed Broken by water, whips, laws and cultural norms For those whose breasts unfed upon Mixed tears with milk at the memories of their babies sold. For those whose stripes were inflicted and celebrated By good Christians in white sheets For every boll gathered, every shoe cobbled or shined Every…
Read MoreJoin Believe Out Loud in North Carolina on February 25
Purchase tickets online | Comprar boletos en línea A gathering of LGBTQ people of faith and allies will explore opportunities to build skills and resources grounded in racial and gender justice to empower affirming religious communities to combat discrimination in North Carolina. Affirming congregations have the opportunity to be examples of a more equal and inclusive community.…
Read MoreTo Be Known: My Journey To Standing Rock
My entire life has been an exercise in chasing after the fulfillment of being known. I was born in Caracas, Venezuela but have lived in the Latin diaspora since I was 3 years old. I have never returned home. I do not know my people, my language, or my birth family. I’m exhausted from chasing…
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