H.U.E Podcast

Welcome to the H.U.E Podcast! *SPECIAL NOTE - If you have not done so, please listen to the Introduction Episode of this series first. (scroll down)* This is part 2 of the fourth and final episode in the series: What Do We Tell The Children? How To Talk To A Child About Race and Identity. In this episode three guest panelists (Amanda Flowers Peterson, Carrie Zelin Johnson, and JuTone Lajoie) share professional insights and genuine, heart-felt wisdom on supporting the development of a multi-ethnic child's identity. Our guests distinguish between learning and valuing the diverse cultural markers gifted to a child, versus the racial categorizations they are perceived by. Practical approaches and methods of explaining this difference to children are also discussed. Caregivers are encouraged to understand their own cultural gifts, and any bias or hurt associated with them, in order to teach and guide children from a position of healing, humility, and grace. The honest stories shared by our guests set an atmosphere of transparency, encouraging listeners to boldly evaluate their own journey of understanding and valuing the cultural gifts God has given them and passing those tools of discernment to the next generation. Amanda Flowers Peterson - Amanda comes with 15 years of experience focused on Cultural Competence, Inclusion and Unconscious Bias work. She currently works as the Programs and Diversity Inclusion Director at Launch Ministry. She is also a Pastor, Certified Yoga Instructor and is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. Carrie Zelin Johnson - Carrie Zelin Johnson M.Ed. is founder of Zelin Johnson Companies; an education and mental health consulting firm, a Mental Health Practitioner at David Hoy & Associates and a Program Officer at Greater Twin Cities United Way.  Her passion for racial equity and reconciliation is grounded by her belief in Christ; and that we are all made in His image. JuTone Lajoie - JuTone Lajoie acquired her masters in social work and is a licensed graduate social worker with several years of professional experience in addition to serving as a speaker and consultant. She is currently co-launching a private practice. Visit ebonyramquist.com to view the resources we discuss and listen to the Lyrical Lesson partnered with this episode.

Welcome to the H.U.E Podcast! *SPECIAL NOTE - If you have not done so, please listen to the Introduction Episode of this series first. (scroll down)* This is part 1 of the fourth episode in the series: What Do We Tell The Children? How To Talk To A Child About Race and Identity. In this episode three guest panelists (Amanda Flowers Peterson, Carrie Zelin Johnson, and JuTone Lajoie) share professional insights and genuine, heart-felt wisdom on supporting the development of a multi-ethnic child's identity. Our guests distinguish between learning and valuing the diverse cultural markers gifted to a child, versus the racial categorizations they are perceived by. Practical approaches and methods of explaining this difference to children are also discussed. Caregivers are encouraged to understand their own cultural gifts, and any bias or hurt associated with them, in order to teach and guide children from a position of healing, humility, and grace. The honest stories shared by our guests set an atmosphere of transparency, encouraging listeners to boldly evaluate their own journey of understanding and valuing the cultural gifts God has given them and passing those tools of discernment to the next generation. Amanda Flowers Peterson - Amanda comes with 15 years of experience focused on Cultural Competence, Inclusion and Unconscious Bias work. She currently works as the Programs and Diversity Inclusion Director at Launch Ministry. She is also a Pastor, Certified Yoga Instructor and is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. Carrie Zelin Johnson - Carrie Zelin Johnson M.Ed. is founder of Zelin Johnson Companies; an education and mental health consulting firm, a Mental Health Practitioner at David Hoy & Associates and a Program Officer at Greater Twin Cities United Way.  Her passion for racial equity and reconciliation is grounded by her belief in Christ; and that we are all made in His image. JuTone Lajoie - JuTone Lajoie acquired her masters in social work and is a licensed graduate social worker with several years of professional experience in addition to serving as a speaker and consultant. She is currently co-launching a private practice. Visit ebonyramquist.com to view the resources we discuss and listen to the Lyrical Lesson partnered with this episode. Part 2 of this episode  will be released Friday, February 19th.

Welcome to the H.U.E Podcast! *SPECIAL NOTE - If you have not done so, please listen to the Introduction Episode of this series first. (scroll down)* This is the third guest interview in the series: What Do We Tell The Children? How To Talk To A Child About Race and Identity. In this episode Pastor Jamey Johnson uses a 3-teir model of "for-to-with" to distinguish between the ideology of opposing racism versus the action and sacrifice of fighting racism. He implores caregivers to honestly share the historical and current actions of white supremacy, and allow white children to fully process through responses of surprise, sadness, guilt, or shame as they are guided to the significance of loving your neighbor through word and action. Visit ebonyramquist.com to view the resources we discuss and listen to the Lyrical Lesson partnered with this episode. The next episode with JuTone Lajoie will be released on Wednesday, January 6th.

Welcome to the H.U.E Podcast! *SPECIAL NOTE - If you have not done so, please listen to the Introduction Episode of this series first. (scroll down)* This is the second guest interview in the series: What Do We Tell The Children? How To Talk To A Child About Race and Identity. In this episode Rev. Darrell Gillespie emphasizes three essential principles in building a foundation of confidence and strength for BIPOC children. He encourages caregivers not to be anxious in sharing the reality of racism and its effects while grounding children in the truth of their history and the value of their voice. Rev. Gillespie's compassion and candid insight will encourage caregivers to equip and embolden BIPOC children in moving beyond the white-washed narrative of society to the reality of their value and a bright future. Visit ebonyramquist.com to view the resources we discuss and listen to the Lyrical Lesson partnered with this episode. The next episode with Pastor Jamey Johnson will be released on Wednesday, December 30th.

Welcome to the H.U.E Podcast! *SPECIAL NOTE - If you have not done so, please listen to the Introduction Episode of this series first. (scroll down)* This is the first guest interview in the series: What Do We Tell The Children?: How To Talk To A Child About Race and Identity In this episode, Brittany Salmon speaks to the dynamics of bridging the gap between a child's adoptive family of origin and the heritage(s) they are gifted with. While providing a clear, three-part framework to support caregivers, she also emphasizes the significance of caregivers identifying and decentering their own cultural heritage toward the goal of a multicultural home. Brittany's mix of candid advice and heartfelt encouragement inspires caregivers to confidently continue the humble pursuit of "better". Visit ebonyramquist.com to view the resources we discuss and listen to the Lyrical Lesson partnered with this episode. The next episode with Rev. Darrell Gillespie will be released on Wednesday, December, 23rd.

Welcome to the H.U.E Podcast! This is the introduction episode to the series: What Do We Tell the Children?: How to Talk to a Child About Race and Identity As your hosts (Ebony and Bibi), in this episode we introduce ourselves, speak on the highlights that stood out to us in the series, and share quotes that bring us hope when we are weary or discouraged. We believe the experience, insight, and wisdom of the series' guests will equip you with principles and practical advice on teaching race, identity, and antiracism to children. Visit ebonyramquist.com to view the resources we discuss and listen to the Lyrical Lesson partnered with this episode.

Welcome to the H.U.E Podcast! The bonus content in this episode is from our podcast series: Will the Church Ever be Free of White Supremacy? In this episode, Dr. Ruben Rivera shares core principles that are necessary for  effective conversations on controversial topics. Drawing upon examples from his twenty-plus years of experience in intergroup dialogue, Dr. Rivera illustrates how it is possible to challenge and disagree with others constructively through a posture of curiosity and humility. Visit ebonyramquist.com to listen to the complete series and listen to the Lyrical Lesson partnered with this episode.  

Welcome to the H.U.E Podcast! The bonus content in this episode is from our podcast series: Will the Church Ever be Free of White Supremacy? In this episode, Dr. Ruben Rivera shares core principles that are necessary for  effective conversations on controversial topics. Drawing upon examples from his twenty-plus years of experience in intergroup dialogue, Dr. Rivera illustrates how it is possible to challenge and disagree with others constructively through a posture of curiosity and humility. Visit ebonyramquist.com to listen to the complete series and listen to the Lyrical Lesson partnered with this episode.  

Welcome to the H.U.E Podcast! *SPECIAL NOTE - If you have not done so, please listen to the Introduction Episode of this series first. (scroll down)* This is the third guest interview in the series: Will the Church Ever be Free of White Supremacy? In this episode, Dr. Ruben Rivera pursues a core question of the Church: how to take Christ the One Way into the cultural many? He stresses the necessity of Christ as always being culturally relevant but never culturally captive. Dr. Ruben calls us to a transformative faith that does not follow Christ while believing dehumanizing views of our personal "Samaritans" ("the other"). Visit ebonyramquist.com to view the resources we discuss and listen to the Lyrical Lesson partnered with this episode. This is the final episode of the series.

Welcome to the H.U.E Podcast! *SPECIAL NOTE - If you have not done so, please listen to the Introduction Episode of this series first. (scroll down)* This is the third guest interview in the series: Will the Church Ever be Free of White Supremacy? In this episode, Dr. Ruben Rivera pursues a core question of the Church: how to take Christ the One Way into the cultural many? He stresses the necessity of Christ as always being culturally relevant but never culturally captive. Dr. Ruben calls us to a transformative faith that does not follow Christ while believing dehumanizing views of our personal "Samaritans" ("the other"). Visit ebonyramquist.com to view the resources we discuss and listen to the Lyrical Lesson partnered with this episode. This is the final episode of the series.

Welcome to the H.U.E Podcast! *SPECIAL NOTE - If you have not done so, please listen to the Introduction Episode of this series first. (scroll down)* This is the second guest interview in the series: Will the Church Ever be Free of White Supremacy? *NOTE: Suicide is briefly discussed in this interview.* In this episode, Dr. Ruthanne Crapo Kim demonstrates the courage of authenticity to disrupt the norm of hurtful stereotypes. She also emphasizes the distinction between healing versus accepting others expectations as a cure, or standard, to live up to. Dr. Ruthanne points to the healing liberation of the Gospel, to inspires us to adopt paradigms of wonder and curiosity about those around us and the complexity of their stories. Visit ebonyramquist.com to view the resources we discuss and listen to the Lyrical Lesson partnered with this episode. The next episode with Dr. Ruben Rivera will be released on Friday, June, 19th.

Welcome to the H.U.E Podcast! *SPECIAL NOTE - If you have not done so, please listen to the Introduction Episode of this series first. (scroll down)* This is the second guest interview in the series: Will the Church Ever be Free of White Supremacy? *NOTE: Suicide is briefly discussed in this interview.* In this episode, Dr. Ruthanne Crapo Kim demonstrates the courage of authenticity to disrupt the norm of hurtful stereotypes. She also emphasizes the distinction between healing versus accepting others expectations as a cure, or standard, to live up to. Dr. Ruthanne points to the healing liberation of the Gospel, to inspires us to adopt paradigms of wonder and curiosity about those around us and the complexity of their stories. Visit ebonyramquist.com to view the resources we discuss and listen to the Lyrical Lesson partnered with this episode. The next episode with Dr. Ruben Rivera will be released on Friday, June, 19th.

Welcome to the H.U.E Podcast! *SPECIAL NOTE - If you have not done so, please listen to the Introduction Episode of this series first. (scroll down)* This is the first guest interview in the series: Will the Church Ever be Free of White Supremacy? *NOTE: The Kyle J. Howard interview was recorded in January 2020 and refers to events that occur prior to that date.* In this episode, Kyle J. Howard reveals the significance of acknowledging our pain from racial trauma. While providing clear examples to help identify the elements of racially abusive church dynamics, Kyle implores us to not centralize whiteness in our hurts or in our healing. Ultimately, Kyle desires to heal saints to the culmination of God's triumphant and grand redemptive plan. Visit ebonyramquist.com to view the resources we discuss and listen to the Lyrical Lesson partnered with this episode. The next episode with Dr. Ruthanne Crapo-Kim will be released on Friday, June, 12th.

Welcome to the H.U.E Podcast! This is the introduction episode to the series: Will the Church Ever be Free of White Supremacy? As your hosts (Ebony and Alyssa), in this episode we introduce ourselves, tell the story and purpose behind the series, and share quotes that bring us hope when we are weary or discouraged. We believe the insight and wisdom of the series' guests will encourage, equip, and challenge you to navigate the present, while inspiring you to look beyond white supremacy through the bold prayer: What Next? Visit ebonyramquist.com to view the resources we discuss and listen to the Lyrical Lesson partnered with this episode.

Welcome to the H.U.E Podcast! *SPECIAL NOTE - If you have not done so, please listen to the Introduction Episode of this series first. (scroll down)* This is the first guest interview in the series: Will the Church Ever be Free of White Supremacy? *NOTE: The Kyle J. Howard interview was recorded in January 2020 and refers to events that occur prior to that date.* In this episode, Kyle J. Howard reveals the significance of acknowledging our pain from racial trauma. While providing clear examples to help identify the elements of racially abusive church dynamics, Kyle implores us to not centralize whiteness in our hurts or in our healing. Ultimately, Kyle desires to heal saints to the culmination of God's triumphant and grand redemptive plan. Visit ebonyramquist.com to view the resources we discuss and listen to the Lyrical Lesson partnered with this episode. The next episode with Dr. Ruthanne Crapo-Kim will be released on Friday, June, 12th.

Welcome to the H.U.E Podcast! This is the introduction episode to the series: Will the Church Ever be Free of White Supremacy? As your hosts (Ebony and Alyssa), in this episode we introduce ourselves, tell the story and purpose behind the series, and share quotes that bring us hope when we are weary or discouraged. We believe the insight and wisdom of the series' guests will encourage, equip, and challenge you to navigate the present, while inspiring you to look beyond white supremacy through the bold prayer: What Next? Visit ebonyramquist.com to view the resources we discuss and listen to the Lyrical Lesson partnered with this episode.

How to Forgive & Be Forgiven My Fight with Forgiveness This was an intimidating podcast episode to create. Before I even began podcasting I sent a survey out to friends asking what topics I should cover within the realm of faith, ethnicity, and culture. When one friend submitted the topic forgiveness I cringed. It’s an area I’ve had to grow in and it does not always come naturally, especially in situations regarding ethnicity and discrimination. In fact, it was only several months ago that I came to a crossroads with God about this topic. I knew in order to be used effectively to create change I could not be bitter or blindly defensive, but I could not get over the history of wrong. The centuries of oppression over multiple people groups that have left consequences in our nation still powerfully effective today. Then, and don’t remember how, I came across Corrie Ten Boom’s story. Corrie Ten Boom was arrested by the Nazis when she and her family were caught hiding Jews in their home during the Holocaust. She was sent with her sister to the Ravensbruck concentration camp were her sister died days before Corrie was released. After Corrie’s release she set up a recovery home for concentration camp survivors and traveled widely preaching God’s forgiveness and the need for reconciliation. At one of her engagements where she spoke on forgiveness a man approached her who she immediately recognized as a guard at the camp where she was imprisoned. He did not recognize her. Below is the story of her encounter directly from Corrie Ten Boom’s autobiography, The Hiding Place. Betsie and I had been arrested for concealing Jews in our home during the Nazi occupation of Holland; this man had been a guard at Ravensbruck concentration camp where we were sent. ... "You mentioned Ravensbruck in your talk," he was saying. "I was a guard in there." No, he did not remember me. "But since that time," he went on, "I have become a Christian. I know that God has forgiven me for the cruel things I did there, but I would like to hear it from your lips as well. Fraulein, ..." his hand came out, ... "will you forgive me?" And I stood there — I whose sins had every day to be forgiven — and could not. Betsie had died in that place — could he erase her slow terrible death simply for the asking? It could not have been many seconds that he stood there, hand held out, but to me it seemed hours as I wrestled with the most difficult thing I had ever had to do. For I had to do it — I knew that. The message that God forgives has a prior condition: that we forgive those who have injured us. "If you do not forgive men their trespasses," Jesus says, "neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses." ... And still I stood there with the coldness clutching my heart. But forgiveness is not an emotion — I knew that too. Forgiveness is an act of the will, and the will can function regardless of the temperature of the heart. "Jesus, help me!" I prayed silently. "I can lift my hand, I can do that much. You supply the feeling." And so woodenly, mechanically, I thrust my hand into the one stretched out to me. And as I did, an incredible thing took place. The current started in my shoulder, raced down my arm, sprang into our joined hands. And then this healing warmth seemed to flood my whole being, bringing tears to my eyes. "I forgive you, brother!" I cried. "With all my heart!" For a long moment we grasped each other's hands, the former guard and the former prisoner. I had never known God's love so intensely as I did then. Reprinted with permission from Guideposts. Copyright © 1972 by Guideposts, Carmel, New York 10512. All rights reserved. (www.guideposts.com)   I barely got through the story without breaking down because I knew after weeks of anguished prayer over the issue of forgiveness this was God’s answer. I had no excuse. Somehow the fact God requires us to forgive,

How to Forgive & Be Forgiven My Fight with Forgiveness This was an intimidating podcast episode to create. Before I even began podcasting I sent a survey out to friends asking what topics I should cover within the realm of faith, ethnicity, and culture. When one friend submitted the topic forgiveness I cringed. It’s an area I’ve had to grow in and it does not always come naturally, especially in situations regarding ethnicity and discrimination. In fact, it was only several months ago that I came to a crossroads with God about this topic. I knew in order to be used effectively to create change I could not be bitter or blindly defensive, but I could not get over the history of wrong. The centuries of oppression over multiple people groups that have left consequences in our nation still powerfully effective today. Then, and don’t remember how, I came across Corrie Ten Boom’s story. Corrie Ten Boom was arrested by the Nazis when she and her family were caught hiding Jews in their home during the Holocaust. She was sent with her sister to the Ravensbruck concentration camp were her sister died days before Corrie was released. After Corrie’s release she set up a recovery home for concentration camp survivors and traveled widely preaching God’s forgiveness and the need for reconciliation. At one of her engagements where she spoke on forgiveness a man approached her who she immediately recognized as a guard at the camp where she was imprisoned. He did not recognize her. Below is the story of her encounter directly from Corrie Ten Boom’s autobiography, The Hiding Place. Betsie and I had been arrested for concealing Jews in our home during the Nazi occupation of Holland; this man had been a guard at Ravensbruck concentration camp where we were sent. ... "You mentioned Ravensbruck in your talk," he was saying. "I was a guard in there." No, he did not remember me. "But since that time," he went on, "I have become a Christian. I know that God has forgiven me for the cruel things I did there, but I would like to hear it from your lips as well. Fraulein, ..." his hand came out, ... "will you forgive me?" And I stood there — I whose sins had every day to be forgiven — and could not. Betsie had died in that place — could he erase her slow terrible death simply for the asking? It could not have been many seconds that he stood there, hand held out, but to me it seemed hours as I wrestled with the most difficult thing I had ever had to do. For I had to do it — I knew that. The message that God forgives has a prior condition: that we forgive those who have injured us. "If you do not forgive men their trespasses," Jesus says, "neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses." ... And still I stood there with the coldness clutching my heart. But forgiveness is not an emotion — I knew that too. Forgiveness is an act of the will, and the will can function regardless of the temperature of the heart. "Jesus, help me!" I prayed silently. "I can lift my hand, I can do that much. You supply the feeling." And so woodenly, mechanically, I thrust my hand into the one stretched out to me. And as I did, an incredible thing took place. The current started in my shoulder, raced down my arm, sprang into our joined hands. And then this healing warmth seemed to flood my whole being, bringing tears to my eyes. "I forgive you, brother!" I cried. "With all my heart!" For a long moment we grasped each other's hands, the former guard and the former prisoner. I had never known God's love so intensely as I did then. Reprinted with permission from Guideposts. Copyright © 1972 by Guideposts, Carmel, New York 10512. All rights reserved. (www.guideposts.com)   I barely got through the story without breaking down because I knew after weeks of anguished prayer over the issue of forgiveness this was God’s answer. I had no excuse. Somehow the fact God requires us to forgive,

6 Ways Any Parent or Child can Stop Racism Have you heard about the Black Panther movie? Black Panther is an upcoming Marvel Comic release that I am excited to see. As I researched the movie I learned about a Go Fund Me campaign that was started to give underprivileged and underserved children in Harlem an opportunity to see the movie. The campaign was started by Frederick Joseph with a goal of raising $10,000 which would go toward purchasing tickets and refreshments for the children and their chaperones. Any donations exceeding the cost would be donated to the Boys and Girls Club of Harlem. Within 10 days the campaign had tripled its original goal with more than 700 people donating[1]. Frederick Joseph said his intent in starting this campaign was to give young people an opportunity to see themselves in a story, and in particular a story that Clarkisha Kent of TheRoot.com writes, “remains socially and culturally relevant because it imagines a world where black people continually triumph over the influences of capitalism, Western imperialism and white supremacy[2]." To this date, Frederick Joseph’s campaign has raised $43,367. The latest update shared that through the generosity of Ellen DeGeneres and her team paying for the entire event, all donations would be given to the Boys and Girls Club of Harlem where a new program will be created that teaches children to critically consume content and create their own stories. The new program will be called the BGC Harlem Storytellers.[3] So how does this relate to redeeming the race narrative? I would respond to that question with this question: have you ever wondered why prejudice, discrimination, and the ethnic divides in our society still exist? Studies as recent as 2017 show that millennials, the generation applauded as being “aware” and different than those that went before them, are actually divided on the same ethnic, discrimination, justice and opportunity issues as their parents and other generations before them. When categorized as African-American, Latino, Asian and white these groups showed the same divisions and preferences as polls taken in the past. This reality shows that unity cannot be accomplished via a trend. It can never be popular enough where one generation automatically falls into it. Change does not happen without intentionality. We wouldn’t assume our children will have a strong foundation of belief in God by chance. There is a reason we follow Proverbs 22:6 in training up our children in the way they should go (The Bible, NASB Translation). There is a reason God said to the Israelites “fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up” (Deuteronomy 11:18-19, The Bible, NIV Translation). It is clear that consistent intentionality in teaching children the “way they should go” is essential in building up their identity in Christ. We teach our children who God is so they can know who they are. But sometimes we focus so much on the fact that we are not of the world, that their identity is in Christ, that we forget we are still in the world. The societal issues of this age influence and impact us. Creating change via children is no small effort or impact, especially when we realize that prejudice is not a biological tendency – it is learned[4]. A research study published in Psychology Today shared that a child’s awareness of race and racial identity is present as early as three years of age[5]. By the tender ages of 3-4 children can already show preferences toward one particular race. The rationale that a child is color blind and will have no bias in choosing friends or in how they treat others perceived as different from themselves is false.[6] Children’s biases occur as a child notices differences in others and recognizes that these differ...

6 Ways Any Parent or Child can Stop Racism Have you heard about the Black Panther movie? Black Panther is an upcoming Marvel Comic release that I am excited to see. As I researched the movie I learned about a Go Fund Me campaign that was started to give underprivileged and underserved children in Harlem an opportunity to see the movie. The campaign was started by Frederick Joseph with a goal of raising $10,000 which would go toward purchasing tickets and refreshments for the children and their chaperones. Any donations exceeding the cost would be donated to the Boys and Girls Club of Harlem. Within 10 days the campaign had tripled its original goal with more than 700 people donating[1]. Frederick Joseph said his intent in starting this campaign was to give young people an opportunity to see themselves in a story, and in particular a story that Clarkisha Kent of TheRoot.com writes, “remains socially and culturally relevant because it imagines a world where black people continually triumph over the influences of capitalism, Western imperialism and white supremacy[2]." To this date, Frederick Joseph’s campaign has raised $43,367. The latest update shared that through the generosity of Ellen DeGeneres and her team paying for the entire event, all donations would be given to the Boys and Girls Club of Harlem where a new program will be created that teaches children to critically consume content and create their own stories. The new program will be called the BGC Harlem Storytellers.[3] So how does this relate to redeeming the race narrative? I would respond to that question with this question: have you ever wondered why prejudice, discrimination, and the ethnic divides in our society still exist? Studies as recent as 2017 show that millennials, the generation applauded as being “aware” and different than those that went before them, are actually divided on the same ethnic, discrimination, justice and opportunity issues as their parents and other generations before them. When categorized as African-American, Latino, Asian and white these groups showed the same divisions and preferences as polls taken in the past. This reality shows that unity cannot be accomplished via a trend. It can never be popular enough where one generation automatically falls into it. Change does not happen without intentionality. We wouldn’t assume our children will have a strong foundation of belief in God by chance. There is a reason we follow Proverbs 22:6 in training up our children in the way they should go (The Bible, NASB Translation). There is a reason God said to the Israelites “fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up” (Deuteronomy 11:18-19, The Bible, NIV Translation). It is clear that consistent intentionality in teaching children the “way they should go” is essential in building up their identity in Christ. We teach our children who God is so they can know who they are. But sometimes we focus so much on the fact that we are not of the world, that their identity is in Christ, that we forget we are still in the world. The societal issues of this age influence and impact us. Creating change via children is no small effort or impact, especially when we realize that prejudice is not a biological tendency – it is learned[4]. A research study published in Psychology Today shared that a child’s awareness of race and racial identity is present as early as three years of age[5]. By the tender ages of 3-4 children can already show preferences toward one particular race. The rationale that a child is color blind and will have no bias in choosing friends or in how they treat others perceived as different from themselves is false.[6] Children’s biases occur as a child notices differences in others and recognizes that these differ...

H.U.E Podcast – Redeeming the Race Narrative Heal. Unite. Engage. - Cultivating transformative unity in our homes, circles of influence and churches through informed, Christ-centered, cross-cultural perspective and actionable faith.   H-O-P-E… A 4 Letter Word HOPE is a four-letter word. It’s risqué and can be spoken with anger or disgust. The difference is that the meaning is not crude. Webster’s dictionary defines HOPE as a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen.  But if you study the biblical definition of HOPE the meaning is far more dynamic. There are two parts to the definition:   The essence or very nature of a promise (Acts 26:6); An act/action (Acts 26:7); Requires belief in potential or promise (Romans 4:18); Expectancy (Acts 28:20); Produced by character (Romans 5:4); Deliverance (Romans 8:20) Reliant/based on God (Acts 24:15), Does not disappoint because of the love of God in our hearts through the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5); Wait for it through the Spirit, by faith (Galatians 5:5)     If this is what HOPE is then why do we ever develop a love/hate relationship with the word? When I heard about the latest police shooting of an African – American, particularly Philando Castile, I was done with hope. The reality was I was bitter. And finished with the church in all her good intentions – especially my white brothers and sisters.   You see when all the events around ethnicity had been tearing our nation apart I saw an overwhelming number of responses from non-white friends. But in contrast, the vast majority of white friends on my Facebook feed or in conversations were painfully quiet, it was like the absence even of white noise – just still.   I raged to God and asked what’s the point of starting a podcast? Of meaningful, constructive conversations when sincere Christians I know, respect, admire & love are so oblivious or disengaged? The level of disengagement made me question my conviction, what I saw with my own eyes. I thought: well maybe things aren’t that bad, or maybe it isn’t wrong, or maybe it isn’t injustice, because if it was injustice surely my friends would say something? I was beyond weary of Christian clichés to address or more accurately dismiss the issues and their impact. Scriptures that were given to comfort but felt more like placation. Or the theology of: “focus on God, it’s ok, it will get better, don’t be mired down by what’s not good, you should always be up and encouraged in the Lord”.   Maybe you’re coming from a different perspective, where the police shootings, BLM protests, the KKK Charlottesville rally and other issues have come as a shock in their existence and intensity. You had no idea things were so bad and now it seems they can only get worse.   Or maybe you’re the turtle in the shell. Regardless of how these events have impacted you or loved ones you simply can’t engage on any level. There’s no time, energy or emotion that you have to give, so the HOPE you have is more of a wish than a belief.   Why Does Faith Matter? But we are called to HOPE. Not because it is good, or the right thing to do, or even a practical way to live peaceably as a society. We are called to HOPE because we know God. HOPE is contingent on the power and love of God. It’s cliché when I say it like that, but here’s why I think HOPE depending on God makes a difference. Here’s how I answer the question: why does faith matter?   There is nothing significant about addressing the concept of reconciliation or the reality of white supremacy (passive and aggressive), discrimination or injustice through the Christian world lens. The Christian world lens is no different than a person who wants to do good, encourage others to do the right thing, and create change – outside of God. In fact, you could argue that more impactful, practical solutions are offered by non-faith based initiatives through regulations,

H.U.E Podcast – Redeeming the Race Narrative Heal. Unite. Engage. - Cultivating transformative unity in our homes, circles of influence and churches through informed, Christ-centered, cross-cultural perspective and actionable faith.   H-O-P-E… A 4 Letter Word HOPE is a four-letter word. It’s risqué and can be spoken with anger or disgust. The difference is that the meaning is not crude. Webster’s dictionary defines HOPE as a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen.  But if you study the biblical definition of HOPE the meaning is far more dynamic. There are two parts to the definition:   The essence or very nature of a promise (Acts 26:6); An act/action (Acts 26:7); Requires belief in potential or promise (Romans 4:18); Expectancy (Acts 28:20); Produced by character (Romans 5:4); Deliverance (Romans 8:20) Reliant/based on God (Acts 24:15), Does not disappoint because of the love of God in our hearts through the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5); Wait for it through the Spirit, by faith (Galatians 5:5)     If this is what HOPE is then why do we ever develop a love/hate relationship with the word? When I heard about the latest police shooting of an African – American, particularly Philando Castile, I was done with hope. The reality was I was bitter. And finished with the church in all her good intentions – especially my white brothers and sisters.   You see when all the events around ethnicity had been tearing our nation apart I saw an overwhelming number of responses from non-white friends. But in contrast, the vast majority of white friends on my Facebook feed or in conversations were painfully quiet, it was like the absence even of white noise – just still.   I raged to God and asked what’s the point of starting a podcast? Of meaningful, constructive conversations when sincere Christians I know, respect, admire & love are so oblivious or disengaged? The level of disengagement made me question my conviction, what I saw with my own eyes. I thought: well maybe things aren’t that bad, or maybe it isn’t wrong, or maybe it isn’t injustice, because if it was injustice surely my friends would say something? I was beyond weary of Christian clichés to address or more accurately dismiss the issues and their impact. Scriptures that were given to comfort but felt more like placation. Or the theology of: “focus on God, it’s ok, it will get better, don’t be mired down by what’s not good, you should always be up and encouraged in the Lord”.   Maybe you’re coming from a different perspective, where the police shootings, BLM protests, the KKK Charlottesville rally and other issues have come as a shock in their existence and intensity. You had no idea things were so bad and now it seems they can only get worse.   Or maybe you’re the turtle in the shell. Regardless of how these events have impacted you or loved ones you simply can’t engage on any level. There’s no time, energy or emotion that you have to give, so the HOPE you have is more of a wish than a belief.   Why Does Faith Matter? But we are called to HOPE. Not because it is good, or the right thing to do, or even a practical way to live peaceably as a society. We are called to HOPE because we know God. HOPE is contingent on the power and love of God. It’s cliché when I say it like that, but here’s why I think HOPE depending on God makes a difference. Here’s how I answer the question: why does faith matter?   There is nothing significant about addressing the concept of reconciliation or the reality of white supremacy (passive and aggressive), discrimination or injustice through the Christian world lens. The Christian world lens is no different than a person who wants to do good, encourage others to do the right thing, and create change – outside of God. In fact, you could argue that more impactful, practical solutions are offered by non-faith based initiatives through regulations,

Why Can’t We All Just Get Along? Sharif El-Gamal was slammed when his proposal to build a mosque near the grounds of the 9/11 attack were publicized. Passionate protests were held in the streets of New York with advocates from both sides declaring why they did or did not support the construction of what was to be a 15 story, $100-million-dollar mosque[1]. A firefighter who responded during the 9/11 attacks filed a lawsuit against Sharif and his backers, stating that the building of a mosque near Ground Zero would impede his ability to commemorate[2]. Ultimately Sharif won the lawsuit, however the mosque he envisioned was never built. At face value, the responses were extreme in their attacks against the establishment of a religious institution. But in order to understand the passionate reactions of people on the street, you need to know the historical and emotional context of 9/11. In our current, tension-filled and racialized society this truth also applies. When I read through Facebook quotes regarding police brutality, the most common sentiment I hear questions the validity of seeing these cases as systemic problems, accusing that approach of simply being an excuse to deny or gloss over the individual facts of a case. This begins a cyclical debate of accusations, where both sides ridicule each other’s awareness, sensitivity, and knowledge of “what is really going on”. The problem is, both sides can be woefully unaware of why their debates exist in the first place. To be clear, the current non-majority people groups (i.e African American, Latino, Native American, Asian American) are not unaware of our nation’s white supremacy on an experiential basis, but all groups can be lacking the historical information that put us here in the first place. The issues of police misconduct and the sincere disconnect between both sides knowing and understanding one another’s experiences are not happenstance - they were intentionally created and developed through social and legal strategies for the exact results we have today.   It is easy to demonize another person or judge them from a safe distance. Are all white people really born pathological “racists” and ignorant of all other people but themselves? Are African-Americans really born pathologically violent and self-destructive? To be honest, if I didn’t know many white people, I would be tempted to think the previous judgment is true, based on what I’ve seen and heard. But I know too many African-Americans to believe the latter judgment, even if I know some people who practice those qualities.   Noticing the Past It’s important to understand that in our nation’s history it was illegal in many states for whites and other groups of people to live by each other. Neighborhood contracts banned white residents from selling their homes to African-Americans, and cities created school and housing borders that told whites and other groups of people where they could and could not live[3]. You can guess which areas had significantly better living conditions. And before we assume that these practices were restricted to southern states, we only have to look into the past of a northern state like Minnesota to learn that legal methods were not the only ones used to prevent people from living together. Arthur Lee was a postal worker and World War 1 veteran who bought a home and moved in to the Linden Hills neighborhood in 1931. Protest over his family’s presence escalated until a mob of 4,000 white Minnesotans stood outside the home pelting it with rocks and threatening the police officers and friends who stood outside to defend the Lees in their home. Ultimately the Lees fought back and stayed for several more years, but not without experiencing several months of severe trauma.[4]   Why are We Here? These basic laws and social practices that strategically blocked us from living together in the past, are the roots of disconnect and division that now block our abi...

Why Can’t We All Just Get Along? Sharif El-Gamal was slammed when his proposal to build a mosque near the grounds of the 9/11 attack were publicized. Passionate protests were held in the streets of New York with advocates from both sides declaring why they did or did not support the construction of what was to be a 15 story, $100-million-dollar mosque[1]. A firefighter who responded during the 9/11 attacks filed a lawsuit against Sharif and his backers, stating that the building of a mosque near Ground Zero would impede his ability to commemorate[2]. Ultimately Sharif won the lawsuit, however the mosque he envisioned was never built. At face value, the responses were extreme in their attacks against the establishment of a religious institution. But in order to understand the passionate reactions of people on the street, you need to know the historical and emotional context of 9/11. In our current, tension-filled and racialized society this truth also applies. When I read through Facebook quotes regarding police brutality, the most common sentiment I hear questions the validity of seeing these cases as systemic problems, accusing that approach of simply being an excuse to deny or gloss over the individual facts of a case. This begins a cyclical debate of accusations, where both sides ridicule each other’s awareness, sensitivity, and knowledge of “what is really going on”. The problem is, both sides can be woefully unaware of why their debates exist in the first place. To be clear, the current non-majority people groups (i.e African American, Latino, Native American, Asian American) are not unaware of our nation’s white supremacy on an experiential basis, but all groups can be lacking the historical information that put us here in the first place. The issues of police misconduct and the sincere disconnect between both sides knowing and understanding one another’s experiences are not happenstance - they were intentionally created and developed through social and legal strategies for the exact results we have today.   It is easy to demonize another person or judge them from a safe distance. Are all white people really born pathological “racists” and ignorant of all other people but themselves? Are African-Americans really born pathologically violent and self-destructive? To be honest, if I didn’t know many white people, I would be tempted to think the previous judgment is true, based on what I’ve seen and heard. But I know too many African-Americans to believe the latter judgment, even if I know some people who practice those qualities.   Noticing the Past It’s important to understand that in our nation’s history it was illegal in many states for whites and other groups of people to live by each other. Neighborhood contracts banned white residents from selling their homes to African-Americans, and cities created school and housing borders that told whites and other groups of people where they could and could not live[3]. You can guess which areas had significantly better living conditions. And before we assume that these practices were restricted to southern states, we only have to look into the past of a northern state like Minnesota to learn that legal methods were not the only ones used to prevent people from living together. Arthur Lee was a postal worker and World War 1 veteran who bought a home and moved in to the Linden Hills neighborhood in 1931. Protest over his family’s presence escalated until a mob of 4,000 white Minnesotans stood outside the home pelting it with rocks and threatening the police officers and friends who stood outside to defend the Lees in their home. Ultimately the Lees fought back and stayed for several more years, but not without experiencing several months of severe trauma.[4]   Why are We Here? These basic laws and social practices that strategically blocked us from living together in the past, are the roots of disconnect and division that now block our abi...