S1E4 - Forgotten Histories

“Our stories are being told.” Of late, that phrase has become a rallying cry for minorities of all kinds. Embedded within the histories of any people group are their sense of identity, values, and aspirations. Sadly, those histories are not always told. It isn’t surprising then that the people whose histories have been forgotten are those outside of the majority culture. They are the ones who are on the fringe, those who hold the least power and influence. But now that minorities of all colors and creeds have more access to the cultural megaphone, many insist that these forgotten histories be brought back to the forefront of the American conscience.

It’s been said that those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it. But what happens when history has been forgotten? If cultural histories live on in the people who tell and embody them, what happens when those storytellers die and their stories die with them? More importantly, how do we bring those histories back into the light? How do we recall what has been lost to time? How do we remember what has been forgotten? All that and more on this edition of Questions from the Pew.

S1E2 - Juneteenth

Holidays are a defining characteristic of all cultures. It’s a time for the members of a group, whether national or religious, to reflect on a defining aspect of who they are. They can commemorate historical events, celebrate acts of heroism, and remind us of those who’ve passed on. The forms that these holy days take are nearly as numerous as the number of existing holidays, but the function is almost always the same. They connect us to the identity of the group we occupy and give us narratives for flourishing within it.

So it is in our American context. Our holidays tell stories of who we are, where we’ve come from, and what we value. Unfortunately, many of these narratives originate solely from a majority perspective, and often turn a blind eye to the struggle of minority groups. Enter Juneteenth. A lesser known holiday who’s adherence and celebration honors the freedom we as Americans enjoy, while also admitting and lamenting the struggle that many minority groups have had in attaining said freedom. Perhaps Juneteenth is the most American of any holiday.

Emanuel Padilla and Michael Yorke join us in conversation on this episode as we talk about the History of Juneteenth, how holidays shape our thinking, and how we can give due diligence to both America’s triumphs and shortcomings in the retelling of our own history.

S0E02 – Black Panther, Race in America, and the Church

In early 2018, Black Panther was released to critical acclaim and box-office success. It’s no secret that the movie would have some statements to make besides telling an interesting story. And at this point in history, there’s no better time to make them. With the election of the 45th President of the United States, many saw this as the manifestation of an open wound already present on the soul of America: the pervasiveness of racism in American society. What significance does this superhero movie hold for our local congregations? How can churches engage with the ever increasing racial tempest present in our culture?