Were you there when a defenseless man was pinned to the asphalt with a knee pressed down upon his neck? Were you there when a policeman knelt triumphantly on the neck of a dying man? Were you there when he pleaded for his life and exclaimed: “I can’t breathe”? Were you there when this agonizing … Continue reading Were You There?
In-Between Patriotism
This essay originally appeared on Progressive Southern Theologians (www.progressivesoutherntheologians.com). I encourage you to click the link for more progressive theological explorations of US politics, history, and religion. Like every other country, ours has a lot to be proud of and a lot to be ashamed of. But a nation cannot reform itself unless it takes … Continue reading In-Between Patriotism
True Words
Within the word we find two dimensions, reflection and action, in such radical interaction that if one is sacrificed---even in part---the other immediately suffers. There is no true word that is not at the same time a praxis. Thus, to speak a true word is to transform the world.[i] Paulo Freire What are true words? … Continue reading True Words
Justice is Blind
For us to try to go back to tell black people in the community that justice is blind, they'll say, 'you're right. It is so blind that they can't see us. It is so blind to whenever something happens to one of us, we get the max if we don't get killed first.' And so, … Continue reading Justice is Blind
Who Cares?
The struggle begins with men's recognition that they have been destroyed. Propaganda, management, manipulation - all arms of domination - cannot be the instruments of their rehumanization. The only effective instrument is a humanizing pedagogy in which the revolutionary leadership establishes a permanent relationship of dialogue with the oppressed. - Paulo Freire, Pedagogy of the … Continue reading Who Cares?
Liminal Theology 