What’s the big deal about white privilege?

People are funny. We identify strongly with groups and are quick to be defensive about ourselves or others in the groups we belong to. We’re so oriented to this way of thinking that there’s even a phrase describing it (“groupthink”), and we learn to interpret communication according to often subconscious queues that are understood in […]

Racism and Christianity

A Southern, white, Anglo-Saxon, Protestant male in his mid-thirties writes about racism – a lot could go wrong here. Racism was never a topic I was interested in while growing up. I didn’t hate anyone, so – WASP that I am – why would it have been? But a funny thing happens when one is […]

A word on Confederate monuments

There is an important difference between remembering and honoring. With great hesitation I am submitting my thoughts on the primary motivation for a recent gathering of white supremacists in Charlottesville: the removal of a statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee. My hesitation stems from a desire not to get caught up in any of […]

To my African American brothers and sisters: I’m so sorry

I was incredibly touched by a sermon on forgiveness two weeks ago at my church. It was particularly moving to me because it touched on themes of collective forgiveness that I’d been thinking about for quite a while. The visiting priest who spoke has a special gift in generational healing, which is seeking healing and reconciliation […]

A word on discrimination

Discrimination is real. It goes beyond race, gender, sexuality, or any one particular thing. To discriminate means to recognize a distinction or difference. It is frequently evil when used to exclude or injure people based on their personal characteristics. It is often good when used to carefully choose which thoughts one wishes to verbally articulate. […]