The killing of Mike Brown nearly a month ago has unfortunately proven that we do not live in a post-racial America. While a black man sits in the highest seat of authority in this country, his position has not lessened the degree to which black bodies are profiled and stereotyped on a daily basis. In fact, it can be argued that his appointment, along with the rapid browning of this country, has even intensified the resentment and anger among those... Read more

Can hip-hop and a history lesson help improve discussions about race among atheists? In “Humanism and/in Hip-Hop,” a new course offered through The Humanist Institute, Dr. Monica Miller argues that all atheists can learn by looking to hip-hop and African American Humanism. “Hip-hop and Humanism are both distinct areas of research in my work,” said Miller, Assistant Professor of Religion and Africana Studies at Lehigh University and author of Religion and Hip Hop. “But, as it turns out, there are... Read more

by Anthony NealR3 Contributor When we are young, we experience certain moments pre-linguistically, which is to say words do not entirely shape our world. There are certain gut reactions we have which are leftovers from our pre-linguistic days. These gut reactions or intuitions shape our early perceptual framework.  It is doubtful that certain of our present understandings could be explained otherwise. Even an analysis given totally to Wittgenstein’s framework would have to agree with this understanding, but would probably place... Read more

Dr. Anthony Sean Neal completed his undergraduate degree in Religion and Philosophy at Morehouse College and a master of divinity from Mercer University, focusing in the areas of philosophical theology and political philosophy. Anthony took his doctorate from Clark Atlanta University in Humanities focusing his studies in African American philosophy and religion. His research interests lie in the history of philosophy, aesthetics, and political philosophy. His teaching interests are his research interests plus logic. Anthony prefers to be considered a... Read more

When I was five years old, I joined the new Youth Liturgical Dance Ministry at my church. In the dance ministry we explored how to use our bodies to serve the Lord and minister to the congregation. However, there were some rules involved. Most of the movements we did solely involved arms, hands, or legs—no torso or hip movements because they could be perceived as sexual. We were also restricted in our appearance. Our ministry garments were loose and oversized... Read more

It may be more complicated than that, though. Rappers, experts say, have their own relationships with God, which show their appreciation may come from a variety of sources. (R3 contributor) Ebony A. Utley wrote a book called “Rap and Religion: Understanding the Gangsta’s God,” which looked at how different rappers interpret and feel about God. Some women, for example, see God as a father and provider, according to the book. Utley’s writings say that rappers use God in many ways, mostly to... Read more

The arrest of Minnesota Vikings halfback Adrian Peterson, who is accused of abusing his 4-year-old son while disciplining him with a switch, has rekindled the long-running debate about corporal punishment. There haven’t been any public opinion surveys that have asked specifically about the Peterson case. Nor has there been consistent polling of American attitudes on the use of switches. But polls consistently show most Americans believe spanking is an appropriate form of discipline, although it varies by party identification, race, region and... Read more

This year, no one is safe when it comes to the ridiculous onslaught of ignorance about to people of color. Whether it was the media, celebrities, or members of our own community, the backwards advice and excuses for the degrading of our people was annoying. I write this top 5 list not to be funny, but actually as a public resource for those who might not know they are not helping race relations in an era where we should actually... Read more

Many have been understandably astonished and disturbed this week by the video of NFL player, Ray Rice, punching his fiancé in an elevator. As I was still processing this repulsive offense, I was came across dozens of heartbreaking tweets from abuse victims around the world using the #WhyIStayed, expressing why they had remained with the person who abused them. As I read these tweets, I began to realize how often I have heard abuse victims share that the Church was... Read more

by Andre E. Johnson R3 Editor  An Open Letter to James Woods I read with interest the article by (former) Commercial Appeal’s Wendi Thomas as she informed us of your series of tweets challenging Attorney General Eric Holder to come to Memphis to address the “Kroger racial hate crime.” You further challenge the Attorney General to “do the right thing” by coming to Memphis and to “address the cancer of ALL racism in America.” I guess since Holder went to... Read more