I was an early signer of this open letter posted December 8, 2014 on the blog Black Space. We thought that in light of what’s happening on college campuses and university all across the nation, we would share the post again. We also like for you to know that we see you, hear you, feel you, and most of all, stand with you. We are Black professors. We are daughters, sons, brothers, sisters, cousins, nieces, nephews, godchildren, grandfathers, grandmothers,... Read more
by Amanda Nell Edgar The situation at the University of the Missouri is complicated, full of twists and turns and what feels like a constant stream of new information and misinformation. My own feeling of being overwhelmed by all of this information has been underscored by the near constant *ding* … *ding* … *ding* of iPhones and Facebook messages, as friends reach out to update me on the situation and check in to make sure I’m doing okay. While I... Read more
by Jonathan Butler Waking up to death threats, violent remarks, cyber bullying, and hate mail has been a disheartening experience this past week. Especially the negativity/hate from the supporters of people like Donald Trump, Rush Limbaugh, and Fox News who spread out blatant lies and hateful speech. It’s truly sad to see how ignorance manifests itself into hateful actions in this world but what’s really powerful is the power of love to breakdown all of that hate. Across the nation... Read more
There is a story circulating in social media that Jonathan Butler, the graduate student who went on a weeklong hunger strike at the University of Missouri in protest of racist conditions at the school, is a person of means. In an attempt to shame him and critique the movement, there are reports that his family is a “prominent family” in Omaha, Nebraska. According to the St. Louis Post- Dispatch, Butler’s father, Eric L. Butler, is an executive vice president for... Read more
by Lisa Sharon Harper *Note: President Tim Wolfe resigned as president of the University of Missouri on November 9, 2015 This started as a student protest months ago. Then, a week or two ago, one student started a hunger strike. Then, last week, football players said they would not play another game until action is taken. Then, over the weekend, the coach tweeted his support. Today the faculty joined the protest. The whole school will WALK OUT today and tomorrow!... Read more
On November 9, 2015, after continued protests on the campus of the University of Missouri, one of the major demands from protesters was met. President Tom Wolfe resigned his position. We here at R3 wanted to collect some reflections of this event from our readers. If you would like to share a reflection or thought, please email us at [email protected] or reach out to us on Facebook or Twitter It is paradoxically interesting that so many people cannot define systemic... Read more
by Dameon E. Madison For the past few months my heart has weighed heavy for our country. For many, the following sentiments may be considered race baiting but, for others like me, they reflect the reality of living in these yet to be United States. Whether you want to admit it or not, race IS an issue in this country. The inordinate amount of excessive force utilized by police on persons of color, the blatant disrespect for the President of this... Read more
by Fredrick Robinson “Against some images of God, the revolt of atheism is an act of pure religion,” mused Walter Wink. Could it be, then, that some humanists—in their rejection of false and oppressive concepts of God—are more beneficial to the Kingdom than some Christians? For really, who is actually following Christ: Smug Christians whose silence—or theology—support and preserve an UNJUST status quo or socialist nonbelievers who, for example, are fighting to expand Medicaid for the poor, end police brutality,... Read more
Fredrick D. Robinson is a social justice writer and advocate living in Charlotte, NC. A Board Member of the Charlotte Clergy Coalition for Justice, he earned his Master of Arts degree in Religion (MAR) with a concentration in Christian Thought from Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary. He is also a 2014 Fellow of the Black Theology and Leadership Institute at Princeton Theological Seminary. A former pastor and accomplished journalist, Fredrick has over 20 years of experience as an editor and writer... Read more
In 1968, theologian James Cone wrote what was then and still is a much contested essay. Titled Christianity and Black Power, Cone argued that Black Power, “even in it most radical expression is not an antithesis of Christianity,” but it was “Christ’s central message of 20th century America.” He warned that if the Church does not make a “determined effort to recapture “Jesus” through a total identification with the suffering poor as expressed in Black Power, then the “church will... Read more
Rhetoric Race and Religion
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