I do not believe that most men, upon reflection, would want a negative depiction of men (as expressed in the slogan) to justify the rejection of an equal rights ordinance. "Men ofHouston", I do not believe you deserve the fear-mongering that used your gender to defeat an equal rights ordinance!
Read MoreDear Dale, I am writing you about my concern that the Bible and its significance is being diminished by those who believe they are honoring it.
Read MoreColleagues, I first heard of "Juneteenth" when we lived in Galveston, Texas, where my father, Rev. G. Haven Caldwell, was Pastor of Wesley Tabernacle Methodist Church. We lived in Galveston from 1948-50. I attended all-black Central High School in Galveston.
Read MoreIt is now time for an understanding that “Black Lives Matter” be embraced, not only in Police Stations, but in the words that black gang members tattoo on their arms, that Supreme Court Justices place on their walls, Congress members include in their legislation, and Presidents have on their desks in the Oval Office.
Read MoreSome persons wonder why we who are black are hurt and angered by what they call "isolated incidents" of bias and bigotry. Ouranswer; it is because they are NOT "isolated incidents". There is a connecting link between calling us the n_____ word, and treating us as less than human.
Read MoreMy hope is that we who are gay rights advocates, gay and straight, will link arms with a host of others in confronting the economic and educational disparities between the black community and other communities. May historians be able to write that on the day that Baltimore erupted and on the next day when the Supreme Court moved toward affirming marriage equality for same sex couples, a coalition emerged that began to do what had not been done before, acknowledging and addressing the damage done to black slaves and the sons and daughters of black slaves by a nation that claimed to be rooted in democracy and justice.
Read MoreI expect those who gather at the Jack Crum Conference to understand that if we have the will, God will enable us to break free from the language and legislation that has enslaved us since 1972, and guide us, regardless of our differences in Biblical interpretation, theology, and Christology, to be in mission and ministry in response to the major justice challenge of the 21st Century: THE ECONOMY!
Read MoreKermit the frog said, "It's not easy being green." I, many years ago, reached the conclusion, "It's not easy being white," as well. I have my own measurement as I have assessed whether white persons are authentic in their commitment to racial justice. My measurement? Whether or not white persons are able to confront other white persons about their racially insensitive attitudes, and at times racist actions, toward those of us who are black.
Read MoreWhat do I suggest black folk and all folk do to begin again the unfinished journey to black justice? Recognize that, as is true of all justice struggles, “It takes the complete village to achieve justice". But it is foolhardy to expect folk who are not black to give more energy to the achievement of black justice than the energy we who are black expend. Therefore, black persons and majority black organizations are challenged to challenge ourselves as much or more than we challenge those who are not black.
Read MoreThose who suggest that today's justice is universal and embraces us all, are either unknowing and unobserving, or they are seeking to preserve their privilege and power at the expense of those without privilege and power.
Read MoreThis morning I find myself fascinated that my critics are adamant about only one kind of faith-based "traditional marriage", but they accept, uncritically, the diversity that is present in the ecclesiological expressions of the Christian Church! The book of Acts and the Epistles address the beginnings of the Church and give hints of how and what the Church should be in form and function, but there is no agreed upon uniformity of Church ecclesiology. Thus for my critics, the Church can be un-uniform in its diversity of expressions, but marriage dare not be?
Read MoreHow should these pictures of a slice of Black History that some would deny, others would revise, and still others would respond to with amnesia, shape our response to the brutality of "Islamic State group militants?" In other pictures that I have, there are men in their white robes gathered around burning crosses. If they are not Christian terrorists, why should we be so certain about speaking/writing of "Islamic Terrorists?”
Read MoreAlthough I do not agree with Dr. Carson's views on marriage equality, nor with the ways he is being embraced by some conservatives, my greater concern is how Dr. Carson identifies with America's greatest protest movement, the Civil Rights Movement. Do those who embrace Dr. Ben Carson because of his conservatism on a host of issues do so as a way of separating him from a movement that was neither liberal or conservative — America's Civil Rights Movement? ...Dr. Ben Carson, Oprah Winfrey has given witness to her long support of black justice by playing the role of Annie Lee Cooper in SELMA. If given the opportunity, what role would you have played in the film?
Read MoreLangston Hughes ends his poem by asking; "What happens to a dream deferred?........ does it like a raisin in the sun explode?" How do we, or do we, find ways to assess the emotional and spiritual toll that hiding in the closet of internalized racism and/or internalized heterosexism takes on the lives, humanity and well-being of those who are black, those who are gay and those who are both? Could the THERE of "From Selma to Stonewall: Are we there yet?" be that place that none of us or few of us have dared to go?
Read MoreKy Dickens on becoming the Producer for "From Selma to Stonewall: Are we there yet?", “I wanted to be a part of this because I like to work on projects that have the potential to advance social justice and understanding. Comparisons between oppressive movements are made quite often and there are a lot of questions that people need answered. I hope this film can do that!”
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