Racism
Christianity and Racism: Does Christianity promote racism? Is it a “white person’s religion?” A biblical perspective on these controversial questions. (Probe radio series transcript.)
Church’s intolerant past not a true representation of Christianity. Does Christianity promote racism? Is it just for whites? How could the faith whose founder told people to “love one another” be associated with racial oppression? (Short op-ed)
‘Till’ movie: Racial murder helped spark civil rights movement. White racists brutally murdered young Emmett Till in 1955 Mississippi. His death, and his mother Mamie’s reaction to it, helped spark the civil rights movement. MGM’s Till tells their compelling story. What gave this grieving mother strength to pursue social change? (Short op-ed) Washington Examiner version
Racism and Religion: Sanctified bigotry, or unity and diversity solutions? Derek Chauvin’s conviction for killing George Floyd has returned race issues to public discourse’s center stage. In a world rocked by racial turmoil and demands for justice and equality, some view the Christian church as part of the problem – white supremacy, discrimination, apathy. Consider one faith movement’s efforts to become part of the solution. (Short op-ed)
Changing Racist Hearts: Can it be done? George Floyd’s horrifying death while pinned down by a white policeman has sparked global rage and anti-racism protests. Racial disparity is widespread and ominous. Can a racist’s heart be changed? Consider these powerful examples. (Short op-ed) Washington Examiner version
Changing Racist Hearts: Police brutality. George Floyd’s hideous death under a white policeman’s knee ignited worldwide protests against racism and police brutality. The ongoing conflict prompted me to reflect on South Africa’s once-state-enforced racial oppression. That apartheid regime’s top cop participated in the racist brutality, including bombings and attempted murder. Yet his contrition and reconciliation efforts have been remarkable. Lessons for today’s turmoil? (Short op-ed)
Changing Racist Hearts: My own. Anti-racism has become a global obsession, and rightfully so. Racism and racial oppression are repulsive. And, BTW, I don’t have a racist bone in my body. Or so I thought. (Short op-ed) Washington Examiner version
Changing Racist Hearts: ‘Amazing Grace’ hymnwriter’s racist past. You’ve likely heard the famous hymn, Amazing Grace. Were you aware of its writer’s racist past? I thought I knew his real story, but I didn’t. It holds valuable lessons for today’s racial turmoil. (Short op-ed) Washington Examiner version
Changing Racist Hearts: Abolishing the slave trade. Few examples of systemic racism are more glaring than the African slave trade. British parliamentarian William Wilberforce led a grueling twenty-year struggle to outlaw it. Inspired by a former slave trader, he became a model that current anti-racism activists could do well to emulate. (Short op-ed)
Harriet movie: Courage, freedom, faith. Antebellum abolitionist Harriet Tubman had convictions and courage that helped free herself and many others from slavery’s scourge. She’s inspired modern activists and academics, schoolchildren and senators. What drove her risk-taking and sustained her struggles? A new film dramatically portrays this heroine’s exploits. (Short op-ed)
Emanuel: Steph Curry movie documents Charleston church shooting forgiveness. Some members of Charleston’s Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church shocked observers by appearing in court two days after Dylann Roof massacred their family members at a 2015 Bible study session, and telling him they forgave him. Would I do that? Would you? (Short op-ed)
Best of Enemies movie: Klan leader, black activist; race, religion, reconciliation. What happens when you assign a Ku Klux Klan president and a Black civil rights activist – in the racially charged 1971 U.S. South – to collaborate on school desegregation? Shouting? Threats? Violence? Murder? Fasten your seatbelts for a wild ride that few back then could have predicted. (Short op-ed) Chinese
South African Confession Sparks Chilling Memory. A former South African justice official confesses to having ordering bombs planted in theaters premiering a controversial anti-apartheid film. The writer had tickets to see the film’s opening in Pretoria. (Short op-ed)
South African Apartheid Leader’s Apology for Racial Sins. A startling example of contrition by Adriaan Vlok, former Law and Order Minister under South Africa’s apartheid regime. Could it help inspire forgiveness and reconciliation in government, workplaces, neighborhoods and families? (Short op-ed)
West Africans to African-Americans: “We Apologize for Slavery”. Africans make poignant apology to African Americans for their ancestors’ complicity in the slave trade. (Short op-ed)
Amazing Grace Movie: Lessons for Today’s Politicians. Can God and politics mix? Leaders contemplating faith-in-action would do well to look back two centuries to William Wilberforce, the famous British parliamentarian who led a grueling but inspiring twenty-year struggle to outlaw the slave trade. (Short op-ed)
William Wilberforce and Abolishing the Slave Trade. A profound change led this famous British parliamentarian on a path that some say cost him the prime ministership, but helped rescue an oppressed people and a nation’s character. An inspiring story with lasting social and personal implications. (Probe radio series transcript.)
Amazing Grace in John Newton. This slave-trader-turned-pastor significantly impacted the eighteenth century British campaign to abolish the African slave trade. You’ve likely heard his classic song. Perhaps you think you know his inspiring story. You may discover that you don’t! (Probe radio series transcript)
Lessons in managing public-speaking fears. Fear of public speaking haunts countless people. I’m one…a shy introvert whose career – oddly – has involved lecturing worldwide. Presenting in a tense situation during my final Duke class taught me invaluable lessons. That speech topic – racism and religion – evokes today’s headlines. (Duke Magazine article)
A Little “Kramer” in All of Us? Comedian Michael Richards – “Kramer” on TV’s Seinfeld – saw his racist tirade at African-American hecklers ignite a firestorm. Lots of people have dark sides. Maybe everyone. Maybe you. I do. (Short op-ed)
Evangelicals’ Image Problem. God should have sued Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson for defamation, says New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof. “Few words conjure as much distaste in liberal circles as ‘evangelical Christian,’” he writes. So why does he sing evangelicals’ praises? (Short op-ed)
Human Trafficking Movie Grabs Hearts. Annika, a delicate young girl, has been unwittingly handed into virtual slavery by her homeless father. Sweatshop labor and sex-for-sale portend a bleak future, unless someone intervenes. Caden, a spoiled, rich, 20-year-old Southern California student, determines to be that someone. Their inspiring saga in the feature film Not Today might grab your heart, too. (Short op-ed)
Linsanity movie: hoops, hopes, Harvard, heaven. Benchwarmer Jeremy Lin set the basketball world ablaze when he led the faltering New York Knicks to seven straight wins and helped boost them into the NBA playoffs. The film documentary of his phenomenal rollercoaster ride – from struggling underdog to global star – will inspire you. (Short op-ed)
John Rhys-Davies: Veteran actor with heart and conviction. When I interviewed veteran actor John Rhys-Davies at a film premiere recently, I already knew we had several things in common. We both understand some Swahili, studied at UK universities, and married older women. But I was not aware of his deep concerns about two significant social issues – slavery and anti-Semitism – that also ignite my passions. (Short op-ed)
Woodlawn movie: racial strife, football, faith. A nation too-often tarnished by racial conflict could use an inspiring film like this. The poignant story of NFL star Tony Nathan and how football plus faith helped bring harmony among racial enemies during his high school years in early 1970s Birmingham, Alabama. Mark Burnett and Roma Downey are executive producers. (Short op-ed)
Birth of a Nation movie: Freedom fighter or domestic terrorist? Into a nation boiling with racial conflict enters a film about an antebellum Bible-quoting Virginia slave whose revolt inspires many today to counter racial oppression. Who was Nat Turner? What did he accomplish, and why should we care? (Short op-ed)
Same Kind of Different movie: An inspiring odd couple. Not always in sync with your spouse or partner? Try befriending a homeless ex-con who shuns you. Maybe some miracles will happen. Homeless drifter Denver Moore became a catalyst that transformed Ron and Deborah Hall’s lives and jumpstarted a major community service movement. Paramount and PureFlix bring the bestselling book Same Kind of Different as Me to the big screen. (Short op-ed)
Amazing Grace movie: recording Aretha Franklin’s best-selling album. After the Queen of Soul’s 2018 death, her family released the long-mothballed 1972 documentary about recording her bestselling album at a Los Angeles church. Mick Jagger was in Aretha’s church audience. Critics are raving. What’s it all about? (Short op-ed)
‘Respect’ movie: Aretha’s success, struggles, secrets, soul. Entertainment superstar Aretha Franklin was an industry icon and international treasure. Beloved by millions, honored by presidents, she also struggled with personal and family turmoil. The Queen of Soul handpicked Oscar® winner Jennifer Hudson to play her in this long-awaited MGM biopic. All Aretha was askin’ for was a little respect. Does this movie bring it? (Short op-ed) Washington Examiner version
‘The Chosen’ Jesus TV series: Why so popular? So, why would an online television series about Jesus be breaking popularity records? It has no big-name stars or producers. The stories are ancient. Are viewers looking for hope amid pandemic uncertainty? Are they bored with working from home and turning to diversions their bosses cannot monitor? What did TMZ think? (Short op-ed) Washington Examiner version