Salim Faraji has been on a 25-year quest for answers to a transformation that took place more than 1,500 years ago. His findings led him to author the book “The Roots of Nubian Christianity Uncovered: The Triumph of the Last Pharaoh” (African World Press: Trenton and London, 2012). In it, Faraji, associate professor and chair of Africana studies at California State University, Dominguez Hills, explores the influence that a 5th century Nubian pharaoh had on ancient Nubian culture and its... Read more

Just looking at Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan, you might not think of them as cultural pioneers. But the Republicans make up the first presidential ticket in history not to feature a Protestant. Romney is Mormon, Ryan, Catholic. That might not seem like such a big deal — especially when you consider they are running against the first African-American president. But all of these individuals are emblematic of an enormous shift in both American demographics and political power. Fifty years ago,... Read more

One of my friends from my study abroad program in Europe listened to Barack Obama’s speech this weekend. “I was thinking ‘this is beautiful but sounds too religious a speech to be held in France,’” he told me. “Yes, well, we are religious folk,” I replied. Americans are some of the most religious of the developed world, and it is commonly held that their path from the pew to the ballot is a short one. Even the secularized American is... Read more

Raised in a Christian household, my political views were deeply influenced by my faith. This was a source of conflict for me as I faced controversial social issues during my transition into adulthood. Be that as it may, I’ve been a longtime supporter of Republican-aligned policies and some, but not all, center-right social, economic, and domestic political positions. This multidimensional identity, if you will, has further shaped my voter preferences over the years. To put it plainly, I was agitated... Read more

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by Edward BlumR3 Contributor Paul and I just finished our tour of the South (thank goodness for nice weather in Atlanta, Memphis, Nashville, and Birmingham). Along the way we met up with good old friends, made new ones, and heard so many stories of Jesus and race in America (and the world) that we could almost write another book. The highlights, for me, were meeting several friends of the four little girls who were killed in the 1963 Birmingham church... Read more

By Gee Joyner R3 Contributor I thought about introducing this piece by copying and pasting one of the numerous, if not exhausted, references by political media pundits equating Barack Obama to the Messiah (metaphorically speaking of course), or a savior, for the United States of America. Then, I decided that would be too obvious, too contrived, lame, even corny, at best. So, I thought about giving a brief 145 word historical analysis of the African in America since 1619 and the... Read more

by Earle Fisher R3 Contributor I have labored for months to find a biblical and/or spiritual platform to argue for the necessity of people of faith to participate in the political process.  I deemed this necessary because in a place deeply achieved in my soul I have felt it nothing short of sinful (and borderline blasphemous) for faith leaders to consider encouraging their parishioners not to vote.  On one hand, I could argue for a prophetic necessity of engagement with... Read more

GOP presidential contender Mitt Romney’s “47%” comments don’t sit well with some African American Mormons in Harlem. In fact the comments don’t reflect the candidate’s own practices as a Mormon leader. On the third Sunday of August with nearly eleven weeks remaining until the presidential election, the women’s group of Mormons (official name is The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-day Saints) in Harlem received a rare appearance during their meeting: a man. Not just any man, but Bishop... Read more

Some black clergy see no good presidential choice between a Mormon candidate and one who supports gay marriage, so they are telling their flocks to stay home on Election Day. That’s a worrisome message for the nation’s first African-American president, who can’t afford to lose any voters from his base during a tight race. The pastors say their congregants are asking how a true Christian could back same-sex marriage, as President Barack Obama did in May. As for Republican Mitt... Read more