Every Wednesday I post a handful of articles, blog posts, videos, columns, books or anything I find interesting and worth your time. Ranging from thought-provoking to funny to ridiculous, most are things I stumbled upon in the past week. Hope you enjoy, and thanks for reading along!
"Short Read" = 10 minutes or less. "Long Read" = 10 Minutes or longer.
#1 - Black and White Racism in America - The Liturgist Podcast - (98 Minutes)
If you have listened to any of the previous podcasts from, The Liturgist, the you will be familiar with their ability to tackle big subjects head-on, with depth and clarity. You have probably also found that you disagree with them in one way or another. This episode, focused on the issue of racial tensions in America is one of the best conversations I have seen in regards to this topic. I appreciate this discussion and encourage you to listen to all 98 minutes of the episode. In particular they discuss topics surrounding race, racism, and white supremacy/privilege. When I listened, I found myself humbled, encouraged, and motivated. Listen with humility and grace.
#2 - Love Stands in the Middle - John Sowers - Storylineblog.com (Short Read)
One of the temptations for us all, and I am particularly feeling this temptation during my studies, is to "stay on the outside" as John Sowers puts it. In this short, encouraging read, Sowers is calling for me involvement in the way we love, to love in ways that are beyond mere attainment of knowledge of certain issues. He argues that our obsession with ideas, many times, prevents us from involvement. "Ideas, when used this way," writes Sowers, "can be very self-indulgent. All the while, we remain outside the issue, and quite possibly, outside of our own story. But the great ideas - love, justice, intimacy, reconciliation - require something of us."
#3 - Minimum Wage Since 1938 - CNNMoney.com (Interactive Graph)
With California recently raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour, a lot of discussion has centered around the validity and effectiveness of this legislation. Regardless of where you land on this issue, this interactive graph offers a fascinating look deeper into how minimum wage has changed at a federal level since it became law in 1938. An interesting look into a complicated issue.
#4 - Teaching Men to be Emotionally Honest - Andrew Reiner - NYTimes (Long Read)
Great article exploring the social pressures placed on boys to live up to a socially constructed view of masculinity and the damage this is having on the emerging generation of men. Reiner illustrates how boys from infancy to age 5 actually demonstrate stronger emotive traits than girls. However, by the time of early and middle adolescents, we have socialized these traits out of them. Reiner briefly points out the effects this is having on our culture, and challenges us toward thinking through our cultural gender-specific biases.
#5 - When Religion Makes People Worse - David Gushee - ReligionNews.com (Short Read)
"A faith that stands with the crucified ones of this world," writes Gushee, "is very different from a faith that does the crucifying. The question becomes not whether you say you follow Jesus, but which Jesus you follow." This short Opinion piece from ethicists David Gushee reminds us that we all approach our beliefs with a blinding sense of arrogance. One can look no further than our leading presidential candidates, from both parties, and their differing views of "Christianity" to realize that not all claims of faith are the same. The role for all Christians is to continually pursue a life in step with the non-violent, loving your enemy, first will be last Jesus we call our Rabbi and Lord.