Articles, Essays & Writings

Articles, Essays & Writings

On this page you will find my compostions that have been published in various publications over the years.

How To Make Your Point & Not Just A Lot of Noise: Conversation Cheaters and Debate Defeaters

Introduction

I have wondered what my first article of 2010 would be and I had given some long and hard thought concerning it. I have always been disturbed about the lack of real debate and real dialogue that takes place in our back-and-forth discussions in our society and world. This is not a new phenomenon; nor is it isolated to our political landscape --- it can be found in our homes, offices, congregations and schools.I would like to discuss a few of these sure dialogue stoppers that prevent understanding and thwart real communication.

1. Try to refrain from using "always" or "never": Human beings may be peculiar creatures of habit, but rarely can it be said in our interactions that we are either always guilty of something or incapable of doing certain things. I want to make this personal. Think about your personal or familial relationships; then think about the myriad discussions, conversations and disagreements that you have had that have met an impasse at the intersection of always and never.

This piece first appeared on SearchWarp, where I am a featured columnist, on January 11, 2010. You can read it in its entirety here.

Caucasian Please! America’s True Double-Standard for Misogyny & Racism

Introduction

In this composition I will not be addressing the whole of hip-hop and rap, but rather hardcore and gangsta rap. It is my assertion that the mainstream media and political pundits---right and left--- have painted rap and hip-hop with a very broad brush.

Let me be perfectly clear, hardcore and gangsta rap is not listened to, watched, consumed or supported in my home and never has. I will not be an apologist for anything that chooses to frame the dialogue about Black women (and women in general) and Black life in morally bankrupt language and reprehensible symbols.

This piece appeared originally in the Black Agenda Report on April 17, 2007. Since that time, it has been re-published in various journals, magazines and textbooks. You may read the rest of the piece here

Festivus For the Rest of Us: The Airing of Grievances By A Disappointed Christian Minister

The holiday of Festivus may be the product of the ramblings of George Constanza's father on Seinfeld, but there is something that I did glean from the meanderings of this fictional, sitcom madman: the need to air grievances. There are many things that have been disappointing to me about our society; our nation and our world.

Nevertheless, when any of us claim the moral high ground; or purport to speak from a superior ethical position, our actions will, and should be, scrutinized more closely. There have been several key moments and issues that, for me, have produced a greater level of consternation than others. These things were either generated from sources or groups that claimed some connection to Christianity or were given silent approval or advocacy by a great many people who called themselves Christians.

This piece first appeared on SearchWarp, where I am a featured columnist, on December 23, 2009. You can read it in its entirety here.

He That Despises The Poor Despises His Maker: Socio-Economic Scapegoating in an Economic Crisis

Introduction

There is a familiar and ominous theme that is recurring in the conversation about the economic crisis we still find ourselves in: that the implosion of the housing market and subsequent mortgage debacle was the result of subprime loans extended to unqualified buyers (the poor and people of color). In the Christian call “to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed,” I wanted to deconstruct this heinous lie.

This piece was written a little less than a year ago, but it is still extremely relevant and important today. I submit this writing to reasonable minds and compassionate hearts who also desire to do justice to those impacted by these myths and painful misconceptions.

This piece first appeared on SearchWarp, where I am a featured columnist, on October 8, 2009. You can read it in its entirety here.

Books Where Work Is Cited And/Or Writings Featured

Mirror on America: Short Essays and Images from Popular Culture 4th Edition

Should Music Lyrics Be Censored For Violence & Exploitation?

McGraw-Hill 2005-06 ANNUAL EDITIONS: Race and Ethnic Relations 05/06 , Fifteenth Edition

State of the Nation: South Africa 2007

Fit to Govern: The Native Intelligence of Thabo Mbkei

The Real Lives of Strong Black Women: Transcending Myths, Reclaiming Joy