With the collapse of the U.S. financial system, all other news tends to pale in comparison. Still, sticking with the main theme of this blog, here are a few of the interesting news items and blog posts that I stumbled across over the past week.
- How a Race About Race Could Be Less About Race. A fascinating report from the Miller-McCune Center for Research, Media and Public Policy that takes readers through a Malcolm Gladwell-esque survey of the role race may be playing in the current presidential campaign. Inevitably, some voters will cast votes against Barack Obama because he is black, says the subtitle, but research suggests he has options for reducing prejudiced voting in November.
- Congressman Apologizes for His Race-Baiting Comments About Sarah Palin. “Anybody toting guns and stripping moose don’t care too much about what they do with Jews and blacks,” said Alcee Hastings, the Democratic Florida congressman with an apparently impaired sense of decorum. Maybe Chris Rock has the best response.
- A ‘Maverick’ Evangelical Leader’s Take on Identity Politics. This NPR interview with Rich Cizik, vice president of governmental affairs for the National Association of Evangelicals, touches on Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin and the consequences of identity politics in this year’s presidential election.
- Post-Racial Politics? Not Quite. Can an African American voter strongly support of John McCain while still esteeming Barack Obama? Yes, but it ain’t easy.
- Obama Effigy Found Hanging from Tree at Christian College. Most of you have probably heard about this unfortunate incident at George Fox University by now. Christianity Today had this report, and Princeton religion professor Yolanda Pierce had these observations over at The Kitchen Table, her excellent blog and ongoing dialogue with Princeton colleague Melissa Harris-Lacewell.
man, ed…that George Fox story really hits hard. so much of the struggle for racial righteousness is caught in just that single story. i’m still processing the elvels of mess. imagine if this had happened at judson. i don’t know…maybe something just a little more subtle did. i wasn’t much aware or focused on this stuff back then.
Ed,
I am particuarly distubed by the George Fox article. I am saddened by the fact that something like this would happen at a Christian College. As a Black Evangelical Christian preparing to work in the Christian College world, this article reminds me that we have long way to go to achieve any reconcilation.
I will say that I am proud of the way that Geoge Fox addressed the issue. it is encouraging to read that the President and staff/faulty members not only found this display dispicable, but also verbalized it.
I haven’t been in the blogosphere for a while. I started Graduate School in August, so life has been a little busy. I would love to catch up with you sometime.
Nate, thanks for your comment. I tried to imagine something like this at Judson but just couldn’t. I was so clueless about the racial dynamic for most of my college life, though. Plus, back then it was hard to imagine someone like Obama actually competing for the presidency.
Black Wasp, we do have a long way to go. But I must say that I’ve been encouraged by the level of engagement on these issues at the various Christian colleges I’ve visited since the publication of Reconciliation Blues. Young Christian leaders like yourself give me hope that we can get beyond stuff like this—or at least display the kind of vehement response that we saw from the administration at George Fox. Yes, let’s catch up. Send me an email with an update on where you are and what you’re doing.
Dear Reconciliation Blog,
I am contacting you on behalf of Joel Dykstra, Tom McClintock, Steve Stivers, and Marion Thorpe. I am writing because this campaign respects your impressive website which showcases your immense talent.
Blogs are underutilized in politics. This campaign is interested in developing a strong relationship with blogs across the nation, yours included. Please contact upon receiving this e-mail, as I would like future communication.
Sincerely,
Raymond Smalley
Martin-Stewart
(614)-383-7773
(330)-204-5331
B”H
Say Brother Ed,
Hmmm, looks like you may have been recognized by the Big Time movers and shakers.
Peace,
Shlomo
Looks like it. Steve Stivers is running for congress in the district next to mine.
Hummmmmm…As this remains such a delicateness of an issue…Race, Identity, Politics, and Reconsiliations….and as too the witnessed event I see everyday in my occuaption; the traumatic developements in our financial institutions. Gosh….they better think quick before people panic running to gather their moneys-and more severe caus sets in.
As for the discrimination sluurrr up top by a congressmen ; he needs to make a plentiful effort of an apology-and/or step out of his position immediately. As for Palin, and her indiscretionary acts of ariel shootings-“cheatings”-using the slang words such as ” youuus be-tcha–socceer Mom–duh…..”. I would consider “high cover”– reconsider as in the intergrity department– as to where her real plans are confirmed-and to which way they are leading. Discernments–yipes. Not Good.
As for the Mission of Reconsiliation with Jew, Gentile, Colored, or White, Street walk or Paper pusher..We all come from the same decendent of Adam–Non being any better or worse…financial freedom should be given to both–NOT just for the bennift of the rich-or middle classed either.
AS for commenting on Steve Shrivers…would have loved too; just somehow couldn’t hook on…
Actually, having been off in another country, I’d not heard about that last one. Makes me shiver. Blink. Sigh, a deep deep sigh.