Incarnation is about God’s presence. Throughout time and space, God is present in particular contextual moments. In the midst of near constant police oppression, God is present in the struggles of the people of South Dallas. This is what the presence of a street activist God might look like. God is the beginning. Love flows from God and nothing will ever interrupt it. God is real as fuck. People be walking around like zombies…scared of the police. God... Read more
Depression lurks like a roaring lion….seeking whom it may devour. My medicine ran out at the beginning of the week. It would be a few days before I could refill it. I was vulnerable. Then, the phone started ringing. Four deaths. I knew them all…some more than others…but…I knew them all. It wasn’t long before I… In the midst of it all, an old friend called. When I told him what was going on, he encouraged me to cling... Read more
To the surprise of no one, Dallas Morning News Editor Mike Wilson has finally canceled our meeting. Though Wilson declared his desire to take on injustice, I never believed him. Dallas only rewards those who behave. Now, he’s back in line….if he ever stepped out at all. His cancelation email from January 8, 2019 at 3:09pm with my commentary/response in bold is right below. // My formal reply to this email on January 9, 2019 at 7:56pm... Read more
January 7, 2019 Irrelevance in Print: The Dallas Morning News “Revenues are down.” Anytime you here that phrase, you know some shit is about to go down. For 43 people at the Dallas Morning News earlier today, those words were followed by, “we’re going to have to lay you off.” The first question that should have erupted from the lips of the gathered should have been, “You mean to tell me that our top executives have received hefty pay... Read more
Nearing four years ago, I set out to write a theology of queerness. Referring to God as “The Queer,” I set out on a journey. Pushed forward and endorsed by a motley crew of queer scholars and thinkers, the finished product (The Courage to Be Queer) speaks of a world set to rights or a world made right. As the new year approaches, I pray for the end of this world and the dawning of the world to come. Below,... Read more
“We were there. Embracing the beauty of the night. Something happened. Heavens opened. Love enraptured our souls. Infinity everywhere. Then the voice cried out as loud as it ever had, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to all Queers, on whom God’s favor rests!’ We were led to a mystical place. There, God was born.” Christmas night. Depressing. Mundane. Dull. Everybody gets all thrilled up and then the thrill is gone…the mundane is back. Not on this night. ... Read more
The QUEER CHRISTMAS: A Revolution of Sorts *This work is dedicated to my children. Many Christmases ago, I prayed for something more. I needed greater revelation. Following the queerness of God, I dared to dream. While I know this piece would be different if I wrote it now, God found me then. In the days of Governor Rick Perry, there was an old minister named Bob whose partner was named Tommy. For many years, Tommy... Read more
In the midst of rising anger concerning the Dallas Morning News’ treatment of oppressed and marginalized people, I was tasked (by fellow activists and at the invitation of the Editor) with writing something that would illustrate some of the issues. The piece below was rejected outright. The word “prejudice” seemed to be the breaking point. Often, there is beauty in rejection. Dangerous Words *Though this piece is written about the Dallas Morning News, it could be written to the... Read more
Greetings! This is Rev. – Dr. – Jeff – Hood. I am calling you with a very important message. On December 11, there will be a runoff election for Dallas City Council District 4. On the ballot, you will only find one candidate who shares your progressive values. Her name is Keyaira D. Saunders. Do not miss this opportunity to transform City Hall! Vote Keyaira!!! This message has been paid for by the Keyaira D. Saunders campaign. It felt... Read more
The flight was so early. New York grew closer and closer. The guy next to me slept and slobbered the entire flight. It’s always strange to experience such intimacy with a complete stranger. I don’t like it. Hours upon hours had passed since I got off the plane. I had filled every second with something new…art…theatre…music over and over. You name it…I did it. By the time I found myself wandering around in Times Square, I was too... Read more
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