Paul Simon wrote and recorded “Mrs. Robinson,” during a time of social upheaval in the United States. The Civil Rights Movement and the Vietnam War had divided American. Protests were common. Images of anger and injustice were commonplace on newspaper pages and TV screens. You can almost hear Simon longing for a simpler time as … Continue reading Where have you gone, Mr. Rogers?
What may I call you? A cultural dilemma
When I moved to the South in 1994 I experienced many new cultural expressions. One the most interesting was the unique use of honorific titles plus a first name (Miss Margaret, Mr. George, etc.) for adults with whom you have a close relationship. I often hear people from Oklahoma say that they are from the … Continue reading What may I call you? A cultural dilemma
Remembering 9-11: A Personal Reflection
I vividly remember Sept. 11, 2001. We were living in Waveland, Miss., at the time and was in my first year of study at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Kimberly taught first grade at Charles B. Murphy Elementary in Pearlington. Our son, Jonathan, was just 10 months old. At first it was a normal Tuesday. … Continue reading Remembering 9-11: A Personal Reflection
Is ‘my’ culture is better than ‘your’ culture?
Culture is a curious thing. Ask anyone to describe the ideal human culture and, chances are, the person will describe a culture very similar to his or her own. Some may point to subtle differences between the ideal and their own, but people tend to believe their own culture is not only "good" but "best." Can … Continue reading Is ‘my’ culture is better than ‘your’ culture?
The Hard Work of Empathy
Any way you look at it, empathy is hard work. Selfishness always comes easy. Unfortunately, selfishness and empathy cannot occupy the same space in our lives. Every time I scroll through social media I see a few expressions of empathy and many expressions that are anything but empathic. Words that dehumanize and marginalize people are … Continue reading The Hard Work of Empathy
Falling in Love with My City … All Over Again
When I moved to New Orleans 15 years ago, I was enamored. The architecture, the music, the art, the culture, and the people inspired me. This young love for the city focused on the positives. Because I lived on the seminary campus, I had a safe place to retreat. I could enjoy the city with … Continue reading Falling in Love with My City … All Over Again
Gaining Clarity and Hope
In the raw pain of writing about CJ’s death a few weeks back (“The Death and Life of an Imagine-bearer”), I could not communicate all I wanted to say with clarity. Here is an attempt to connect the dots. This is an honest effort meant to address difficult issues of race and culture. Talk will … Continue reading Gaining Clarity and Hope
Who is my neighbor?
Who is my neighbor? That can be a scary question to ask. And there is more than one way to ask that question. One is positive, and one is not. In the context of a larger discussion on keeping the Law (Torah) and gaining eternal life, an expert in the law posed this question to … Continue reading Who is my neighbor?
Lessons from a Car Burglar
Car burglaries are an urban reality. Just last week, using the daily crime report that I receive via email, I could track a criminal’s movement from the evening before as he went from address to address taking things from cars. In the 10 years I have lived at my current address, my car has been burglarized at … Continue reading Lessons from a Car Burglar
Death and Life of an Image-bearer
Will you weep with me over another life snuffed out too soon? It happens way too often in New Orleans. Over the past 15 years, I have heard countless news reports of young, black, teenagers shot to death on the streets of New Orleans. On some level, I have grieved over these deaths, but only … Continue reading Death and Life of an Image-bearer
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