Podcasts about birmingham jail

The Arise Podcast – Edited TranscriptSpeaker 1 (00:29):Welcome to the Rise Podcast. As part of this process, we're going to talk about what reality is—how to find it, and how to ground yourself in it. I'll have some regular co-hosts with me, as I mentioned earlier, and we'll continue to explore faith, gender, race, sex, the church—all in the context of discovering reality.Today is September 10, 2025. As I pushed to get this episode out, plans shifted and things got canceled. I was busy with the kids, checking the news, scrolling Instagram, running errands, picking up sandwiches—just an ordinary day. Then I saw the headline: Charlie Kirk had been shot.Interestingly, Charlie Kirk and I disagree on almost everything, but I've occasionally listened to his podcast. I also listen to the Midas Touch podcast and others across the spectrum to understand what people are thinking and believing.(01:47)I ask myself: what reality am I living in, and whose voices am I letting in? When I have the capacity, I listen to people like Charlie Kirk, sometimes tune in to Fox News, check X/Twitter, or look at Truth Social—just to gauge different perspectives.I live on Squamish land—land of cedar and clear salt water—here in Poulsbo, Washington. Kitsap County is an interesting rural mix. We're near Seattle, often labeled “ultra-liberal,” but that doesn't exempt us from racism, elitism, or entrenched power structures. And our rural neighbors may identify as fiscally or socially conservative. You might meet someone who voted very differently from you—someone who will happily bring you cookies, or someone who might actually despise you.(02:48)This mix, I think, is closer to reality than living in silos. We may choose echo chambers for news, but we still rub shoulders at coffee shops, restaurants, gyms, and schools with people who think differently.I keep asking: how do we find a shared space to even talk? How do we locate common reality?Back in 2020, when George Floyd was murdered, I saw deep fractures emerge. I was just starting therapy groups on race and whiteness. Our diverse group gathered to talk about racism at a time when the country seemed ready for those conversations.(04:54)But quickly I noticed what I call splitting—fracturing when someone said something others couldn't accept or even register in their bodies. It sometimes caused silence or confusion, and often led to sharp, even violent words meant to wound. And often the person speaking didn't realize the harm.This fascinated me as a therapist. From a psychological perspective, I began to wonder: which part of ourselves shows up in everyday interactions? At a store, maybe just a polite hello. With a friend, maybe a brief check-in that still doesn't touch the day's deeper feelings.(07:07)Sometimes those layers of relationship reveal unspoken emotions—feelings inside that remain hidden. Healthy boundaries are normal, but there's no guarantee that with those we love we suddenly share every vulnerable part of ourselves.Now add politics, faith, love, gender, culture: more layers. Many of these parts trace back to childhood—traumas, arguments, experiences at school or with caregivers.(08:15)So when I see splitting—what some call polarization, black-and-white or binary thinking, or even “boundaries as weapons”—I see people wrestling with what it means to be a neighbor and to engage someone who thinks radically differently.I feel the temptation myself to label everything all good or all bad. Children need that kind of distinction to learn what's safe and unsafe, but adults must grow beyond it. Two things can be true at the same time: you hurt me, and I still love you and will show up. Yet our world increasingly tells us that can't be true.(11:05)This pressure to split is intense—internally, from media, from social circles, from family. Sometimes I want to run away into the woods, start a farm, keep my kids home, just stay safe. Today, after news of a school shooting and Charlie Kirk's murder, that desire feels even stronger.There are days I simply cannot engage with people who think differently. Other days, I have more capacity.So where is reality? For me, it's grounding in faith—literally planting my feet on the earth, hugging a tree, touching grass.(13:30)I ask: who is God? Who is Jesus? And who have I been told God and Jesus are? I grew up in a rigid evangelical structure—shaped by purity culture and fear of punishment. I remember hearing, “If God calls you and you don't act, He'll move on and you'll be left behind.” Even now, at 47, that idea haunts me.When I meet people from that tradition, I feel the urge to split—making my perspective all right and theirs all wrong. I have to remind myself of their humanity and of God's love for them.Earlier this year, I chose to resist those splits. I called people where relationships felt scratchy or unresolved, inviting conversation. Not everyone responded, but the practice helped loosen old binds.(16:55)I also keep listening to multiple viewpoints. I never “followed” Charlie Kirk, but I'd check his posts and sometimes feel genuine tenderness when he shared about his family. That's part of loving your enemies—remembering their humanity, even when you feel anger or rage.I grew up surrounded by conservative media. I even remember the early days of Fox News. As a teen reading Time magazine, I once told my parents that Michael Dukakis's policies aligned more with my faith than his opponent's. Over time I drifted toward trickle-down economics, but that early instinct still stands out.(21:22)All of us are socialized into certain beliefs. I went from conservative evangelical spaces to a conservative liberal-arts college. People warned I might “lose my faith,” yet those history classes deepened it. Today many claim that consuming certain media will “distort your reality.” Political violence is rising. I listen to both progressive and conservative podcasts to understand different lives. Yet when I cite something I've heard, I'm often told it's “AI-generated” or “fake,” even when it's a direct quote. Liberals do this too, around issues like Palestine, policing, or healthcare.(24:47)It's painful to be around people who think differently. The question is: how do we converse without devolving into hate or shouting?Today is September 11. Between Charlie Kirk's assassination, yesterday's school shooting, and attempted political killings, it's clear our nation is split into competing realities that shape everything—from how we see safety to how we practice faith and empathy.This podcast is about examining those realities and how we process them.(26:44)Sometimes we retreat inward to cope with trauma—what psychology might call dissociation or a psychic retreat. I understand the instinct to step back for safety.Maybe these divisions always existed, and I just see them more clearly now while raising my children. That responsibility feels heavy.(29:12)I often turn to elders and their words—Cesar Chavez, Dolores Huerta, Martin Luther King Jr.'s “Letter from Birmingham Jail.” They remind me others have endured violence and hatred and still held onto hope and faith.I fight for that same hope now.(30:04)To ground ourselves we can:- Connect with the earth: literally touch the ground, trees, water.- Stay in community: share meals, exchange help, build fences together.- Nourish faith: draw on spiritual wisdom.- Cherish family: use loved ones as emotional barometers.- Engage work and service: notice how they shape and sustain us.- Face issues of race and justice: ask if we contribute to harm or to healing.Your grounding pillars may differ, but these guide me.(32:40)I invite you to this journey. You may agree or disagree—that's okay. We need space to coexist when it feels like only one side can survive.Violence won't change hearts. Bullets cannot replace ballots. Money cannot buy joy or transformation. Only sustained dialogue and care can.(34:05)I'll share some quotes from Dolores Huerta and Cesar Chavez in the show notes. Please stay curious and seek the mental-health support you need. Don't be alone in your grief or fear. If you feel triggered or overwhelmed, reach out—to a therapist, pastor, trusted friend, or crisis helpline.A special guest and new co-host will join me next week. I look forward to continuing the conversation.   Crisis Resources:Kitsap County & Washington State Crisis and Mental Health ResourcesIf you or someone else is in immediate danger, please call 911.This resource list provides crisis and mental health contacts for Kitsap County and across Washington State.Kitsap County / Local ResourcesResource Contact Info What They OfferSalish Regional Crisis Line / Kitsap Mental Health 24/7 Crisis Call Line Phone: 1‑888‑910‑0416Website: https://www.kitsapmentalhealth.org/crisis-24-7-services/ 24/7 emotional support for suicide or mental health crises; mobile crisis outreach; connection to services.KMHS Youth Mobile Crisis Outreach Team Emergencies via Salish Crisis Line: 1‑888‑910‑0416Website: https://sync.salishbehavioralhealth.org/youth-mobile-crisis-outreach-team/ Crisis outreach for minors and youth experiencing behavioral health emergencies.Kitsap Mental Health Services (KMHS) Main: 360‑373‑5031; Toll‑free: 888‑816‑0488; TDD: 360‑478‑2715Website: https://www.kitsapmentalhealth.org/crisis-24-7-services/ Outpatient, inpatient, crisis triage, substance use treatment, stabilization, behavioral health services.Kitsap County Suicide Prevention / “Need Help Now” Call the Salish Regional Crisis Line at 1‑888‑910‑0416Website: https://www.kitsap.gov/hs/Pages/Suicide-Prevention-Website.aspx 24/7/365 emotional support; connects people to resources; suicide prevention assistance.Crisis Clinic of the Peninsulas Phone: 360‑479‑3033 or 1‑800‑843‑4793Website: https://www.bainbridgewa.gov/607/Mental-Health-Resources Local crisis intervention services, referrals, and emotional support.NAMI Kitsap County Website: https://namikitsap.org/ Peer support groups, education, and resources for individuals and families affected by mental illness.Statewide & National Crisis ResourcesResource Contact Info What They Offer988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (WA‑988) Call or text 988; Website: https://wa988.org/ Free, 24/7 support for suicidal thoughts, emotional distress, relationship problems, and substance concerns.Washington Recovery Help Line 1‑866‑789‑1511Website: https://doh.wa.gov/you-and-your-family/injury-and-violence-prevention/suicide-prevention/hotline-text-and-chat-resources Help for mental health, substance use, and problem gambling; 24/7 statewide support.WA Warm Line 877‑500‑9276Website: https://www.crisisconnections.org/wa-warm-line/ Peer-support line for emotional or mental health distress; support outside of crisis moments.Native & Strong Crisis Lifeline Dial 988 then press 4Website: https://doh.wa.gov/you-and-your-family/injury-and-violence-prevention/suicide-prevention/hotline-text-and-chat-resources Culturally relevant crisis counseling by Indigenous counselors.Additional Helpful Tools & Tips• Behavioral Health Services Access: Request assessments and access to outpatient, residential, or inpatient care through the Salish Behavioral Health Organization. Website: https://www.kitsap.gov/hs/Pages/SBHO-Get-Behaviroal-Health-Services.aspx• Deaf / Hard of Hearing: Use your preferred relay service (for example dial 711 then the appropriate number) to access crisis services.• Warning Signs & Risk Factors: If someone is talking about harming themselves, giving away possessions, expressing hopelessness, or showing extreme behavior changes, contact crisis resources immediately.  Well, first I guess I would have to believe that there was or is an actual political dialogue taking place that I could potentially be a part of. And honestly, I'm not sure that I believe that.

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comMore than 60 years after MLK's “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” 11 a.m. on Sunday remains one of the most segregated hours in America. Why? And can the church finally become a catalyst for real racial healing?In this compelling conversation, Dr. David McFadden joins hosts Will Wright and Pastor Josh Burtram to discuss Kingdom Racial Change, a new book co-authored with Pastor Michael A. Evans and sociologist Michael Emerson. Drawing from lived experience and decades of ministry, medicine, and research, McFadden unpacks why systemic racism remains embedded in our institutions—and how the church must become a diverse force for justice rather than a segregated echo chamber.The episode explores micro, meso, and macro levels of racial inequality, interracial church collaboration, and the emotional and spiritual cost of pushing for unity in a divided time. For anyone committed to building a kingdom “on earth as it is in heaven,” this conversation offers both conviction and hope.➡️ Subscribe, share, and join the conversation.

For this "Summer Friday" we've put together some of our favorite conversations this year:Hua Hsu, New Yorker staff writer, professor of English at Bard College and author of the memoir Stay True (September 2022), discusses what college students lose when ChatGPT writes their essays for them and what that says about our evolving understanding of the purpose of higher education.Jessica Gould, education reporter for WNYC and Gothamist, shares her reporting on the deal struck between Big Tech and The American Federation of Teachers which offers artificial intelligence training and software to teachers in New York City public schools.Peniel Joseph, professor of history and public affairs and director of the Center for the Study of Race and Democracy at the University of Texas at Austin and the author of Freedom Season: How 1963 Transformed America's Civil Rights Revolution (Basic Books, 2025), talks about his new book, an examination of the impact of events in 1963 on the struggle for civil rights -- from MLK's “Letter from Birmingham Jail” to the assassination of JFK.From our centennial series, Bob van der Linden, commercial aviation curator at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, looks at the past 100 years of civilian air travel.Listeners share the best, maybe even most surprising, times they've been helped or helped others, inspired by an article for The Atlantic titled "A Wedding Reveals How Much Help Is Really Available to You," by Julie Beck. These interviews were lightly edited for time and clarity and the original web versions are available here:What Students Lose When ChatGPT Writes Their Essays (July 8, 2025)NYC Teachers' Union Embraces AI (July 28, 2025)How 1963 Defined the Civil Rights Movement (June 12, 2025)100 Years of 100 Things: Commercial Aviation (May 6, 2025)How Helping Can Feel Good (July 9, 2025)

Best-Selling Author & Distinguished Carter G. Woodson book award presented to exemplary books written for children and young people each year at the NCSS Annual Conference.My Show looks  at the Important Role Children Payed in The Fight for Civil Rights in America. I consider it a Privilege to cover the True Foot Soldiers who were physically THERE during the Events that Changed History in American Civil Rights to All.My Guest is author Robert H. Mayer author of the book "In the Name of Emmett Till"Children played a significant role in Birmingham's crucial civil rights struggle, and this stirring history of the movement, with many photos, news reports, and quotes from all sides, emphasizes the connections between the young people's power and that of the big leaders. Martin Luther King called Birmingham the most segregated city in America, and his Letter from Birmingham Jail is quoted at length. But when the adults' protest lost momentum, the leaders' decision to call on young people galvanized the movement--Hazel RochmanRobert H. Mayer is the award-winning author of When the Children Marched: The Birmingham Civil Rights Movement and the editor of The Civil Rights Act of 1964. As a teacher, Mayer's passion continues to be making history relevant and accessible to young people. His time spent in Jackson, Canton, and McComb, Mississippi, as well as meeting scholars and activists integral to the civil rights movement, fueled the desire to write In the Name of Emmett Till. He lives in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, with his wife Jan, where he writes, teaches, and tutors youth in a local middle school.The 1955 murder of Emmett Till in Mississippi is widely remembered as one of the most horrible lynching's in American history. African American children old enough that year to be aware personally felt the terror of Till's murder. These children, however, would rise up against the culture that made Till's death possible. Over the next decade, from the violent Woolworth's lunch-counter sit-ins in Jackson to the school walkouts of McComb, the young people of Mississippi picketed, boycotted, organized, spoke out, and marched, determined to reveal the vulnerability of black bodies and the ugly nature of the world they lived in. These children changed that world.© 2025 Building Abundant Success!!2025 All Rights ReservedJoin Me on ~ iHeart Media @ https://tinyurl.com/iHeartBASSpot Me on Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/yxuy23baAmazon Music ~ https://tinyurl.com/AmzBASAudacy:  https://tinyurl.com/BASAud   

Year C – 10th Sunday after Pentecost; Lectionary 20 – August 17, 2025 Pastor Megan Floyd Jeremiah 23:23-29 Luke 12:49-56 Grace and peace to you from God, our Creator, and from Jesus Christ, who guides our feet in the way of true and costly peace. Amen. *** So… this is a comforting gospel passage. The word of the Lord, everyone… Thanks be to God. These words from Jesus we have read today seem so contrary to Zechariah's proclamation in the beginning of Luke, that Jesus will be the one “…to guide our feet in the way of peace.” (Luke 1:79)… They seem contrary to the words of comfort he offers his disciples… “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you…” (John 14:27) Why then… why… does he say here that he does not come to bring peace… but rather, he comes to bring division and fire to the earth? Why? …what happened to Jesus as our good and loving shepherd?  …our strong vine… our bread of life? I love that Jesus… but I suppose… Jesus also said he is the way… and the truth… and the life. But following The Way… does not guarantee prosperity or health… following The Way of Christ does not ever guarantee that the path will be safe from outside harm. But if you value truth… and life… then the Way of Jesus is worth the earthly cost… it is worth the pain that can come when those you love… choose not to join you in your discipleship… …when they choose, rather, to cling to the systems of sin and oppression... to cling to hatred and bigotry… prejudice and violence… When they choose to cling to the very systems that Jesus came to destroy. Then yes… Jesus' words will cause division. Just as the prophet Jeremiah proclaimed… “Is not my word like fire, says the Lord, and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?” (Jeremiah 23:29) Do you trust the Lord, your God, to break what needs to be broken? Do you trust the Lord, your God… to guide your feet in the way of costly peace? Do you trust the Lord, your God… to break open your heart… and set your heart ablaze with the fire of the Holy Spirit? Do you trust your Creator? “I have come to cast fire upon the earth, and how I wish it were already ablaze!” (Luke 12:49) These… are challenging words… but the Good News of Jesus Christ should challenge us… The Good News of Jesus Christ should provoke us to break down the walls of sin and shame that we cling to… The Good News of Jesus Christ must break us open so that the dawn from on high will shine upon us… and love… true love… God's true life-giving love… can grow. Jesus knew… that this Good News… was worth dying for… surely for us, it is worth the discomfort of being re-cast… re-molded… re-formed by God's love. Have you ever watched an artist blow glass? …whenever I have had the opportunity to witness this art, I am captivated. It requires training, skill, and strength… an artist's eye for color, shape, and detail… and a willingness to work with materials that could destroy them… molten glass… and raging fire. And yet, the artist knows that by pulling together all the broken pieces and subjecting them to the fire… and then by using the very breath from their own lungs… something new and beautiful will be made. Still… nearly every time I have watched glass blowing, I have seen them also break the glass. Sometimes on purpose because it wasn't working out like the artist intended… and sometimes it just happens. Sometimes, after hours of sweat and toil and love and care… the creation falls away and breaks. And the artist, too, is shattered… but broken glass… is part of the art that is glass blowing. Broken pieces… are part of the process of creating. Broken pieces are not the goal in glass blowing… they are a byproduct… Just as division… is not Jesus's goal or purpose… but division will happen because of his mission. Jesus' mission is to let the fires of God's justice burn… a refining fire that turns over our systems of sin and oppression… turns over our world, and upsets hierarchies we'd rather keep intact… And for those who cling to and benefit from sinful systems… who cling to and benefit from inequality and exploitation… Jesus brings a hammer to break them into pieces. But for those who are oppressed… hungry… exploited… victims of violence, discrimination, and abuse… Jesus brings a word of liberation and …peace. The peace that Jesus brings… is a life-changing peace… a truth-telling peace… It is a peace that breaks us open, so that we might be made new… refined by the fire of God's justice… and redeemed by God's love. And… we are ALL called into this saving peace through our savior, Jesus. But make no mistake… this is not a passive or gentle peace. It is not, in the words of Martin Luther King, Jr., “…a negative peace, which is the absence of tension…” What Jesus calls us into is “…a positive peace, which is the presence of justice.” It's the kind of peace that comes when every mouth is fed… the kind of peace that comes when children are safe at school… the kind of peace that comes when tyrants are torn from their throne… the kind of peace that comes when all of God's children, no matter their color or gender or identity, can live and grow and thrive, free from persecution. Lord, “…let the fires of your justice burn… wipe away all tears, for the dawn draws near…” And he said… “I have come to cast fire upon the earth, and how I wish it were already ablaze!” (Luke 12:49) I said at the outset that these words seem contrary to Zechariah's proclamation in the beginning of Luke, that Jesus will be the one “…to guide our feet in the way of peace.” (Luke 1:79)… But …we often forget to include the line before it… verse 78… “By the tender mercy of our God… the dawn from on high will break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death …to guide our feet in the way of peace.” (Luke 1:78-79) The dawn will break upon us to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death. Perhaps Jesus' words for us today… are not so contrary after all. For God's word and God's promises come to us all… and it is joyfully good news to those who are oppressed… And for those who prefer a negative peace… who prefer the mere appearance of peace while others suffer… then God's word is a refining fire… But a refining fire can purify and make new… so indeed… Jesus' words are good news… if… if we are willing to be challenged. Jesus' words are good news… if we are willing to be provoked… if we are willing to sit in the discomfort of knowing that we have contributed to systems built on sin. But God's word can make us new… God's word can make ALL of us… new. So trust the Lord, your God, to break what needs to be broken… Trust the Lord, your God… to guide your feet in the way of costly peace… Trust the Lord, your God… to break you open and set your heart ablaze with the fire of the Holy Spirit… Trust your Creator… and know that real peace… the real peace that Jesus died for… is, for you… and it's worth living for. So let our prayers, both spoken and in song, be honest and true… Receive our prayers, O God, as we call out to you to break open our hearts… and bring us face to face with the fire of your justice. And we give you thanks, O Creator God, for your promise to pick up the pieces of our broken selves… and re-mold us into something beautiful… something crafted to shine your love upon others. We trust you, O God, we trust you with our lives. Amen. _______________________________________________________________________ Written with gratitude for the theology and commentary of Debie Thomas. (2019) MLK quote taken from “Letter from Birmingham Jail.” (1963)

Have you ever felt that conflict deep in your soul? The world screams for justice, but the words of Jesus echo in your spirit, telling you to turn the other cheek. This isn't a contradiction; it's a battle plan—a spiritual technology so powerful it changed the world. In this episode of "Coffee with Conrad," we trace the revolutionary path of nonviolence not as passive pacifism, but as an offensive spiritual declaration of war against the enemy. We'll uncover how the torch of truth, lit by Jesus, was passed to Leo Tolstoy, Mahatma Gandhi, and finally to Martin Luther King Jr., igniting transformative change in their wake Key Takeaways:The Battlefield and the Weapon: The true meaning of "turning the other cheek" is an active confrontation with spiritual weapons of love and truth, not passive resignation. Our battle is not against "flesh and blood, but against spiritual wickedness" (Ephesians 6).A Chain of Torchbearers: Learn how the radical idea of non-resistance to evil was passed from Jesus to Russian novelist Leo Tolstoy, who wrote The Kingdom of God Is Within You. This book then influenced a young Indian lawyer, Mahatma Gandhi, who forged the concept into a weapon he calledIgniting America: Discover how Martin Luther King Jr. found in Gandhi's satyagraha the method he needed to put the Christian doctrine of love into social action. King's nonviolent approach, rooted in agape love, led to monumental change like the Voting Rights Act of 1965.Your Calling and Your Hill: Each of us has a specific calling—a "divine assignment" where our passion aligns with kingdom purposes. The key is to find your "hill to die on" and confront the spiritual forces behind that specific injustice with Jesus's revolutionary love.Study the Word and the Torchbearers: "Study to shew thyself approved unto God" (2 Timothy 2:15). The chain of truth shows that one idea from Jesus can change the world, and we can be warriors for this cause by studying these principles"The Demon Slayer: John Wesley's Hidden Spiritual Battles" https://youtu.be/LK5npfA0YWA?si=zHcjynJx0uTaLweT The Kingdom of God Is Within You by Leo Tolstoy https://amzn.to/3H8klSu Letter from Birmingham Jail by Martin Luther King Jr https://amzn.to/45kqkM8 My Experiments with Truth by Mahatma Gandhi https://amzn.to/3JiOS0k Connect With Me:Blog: conradrocks.nethttps://www.conradrocks.net/Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | TikTok https://www.facebook.com/conrad.carrikerhttps://www.instagram.com/conradcarrikerhttps://twitter.com/MostRadicalManhttps://www.tiktok.com/@supernaturalchristianityFree Resources:Try Audible Free Trial https://amzn.to/2MT9aQWGet Readwise Free Trial https://readwise.io/i/conrad8Get Remnote Free Trial https://www.remnote.com/invite/sRJnqJujEgsGoLuc2Start Amazon Prime Free Trial https://amzn.to/2JtymteFor Creators: Get $10 off StreamYard https://streamyard.com/pal/d/5663052624035840My Work:Books: Open Your Eyes | Night Terror https://amzn.to/3RJx7byhttps://amzn.to/3XRFohlShop: Team Jesus T-Shirts https://teespring.com/stores/team-jesus-4Support:PayPal https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/ConradRocksThings we need on our Ministry WishList https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2GSBT99APHFQR?ref_=wl_share

Political activist and community organizer Joyce Vondrasek shares a deeply personal journey—from coming out in a conservative religious family to becoming a vibrant voice for democratic socialism in Nebraska. Influenced by the moral clarity of the Scout Law and Dr. King's Letter from a Birmingham Jail, Vondrasek reflects on civil disobedience, political activism, and hope through action.Vondrasek is a political activist, community organizer, and bicycle mechanic with deep roots in Omaha and a lifelong commitment to progressive change. A former Nebraska State Senate candidate and co-founder of the Omaha chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, Vondrasek has organized across cities—from Boston's transit unions to Nebraska's legislative districts. By day, he works for Heartland Bike Share; by night, he is dedicated to political education and grassroots activism. Vondrasek gets around Omaha on a bright orange electric cargo bike, often with his dog Kaiju happily riding along.

This week, Zachary hosts a conversation with Jeremi and Dr. Peniel Joseph about his new book, Freedom Season, which describes the pivotal significance of 1963 in the Civil Rights Movement, highlighting key events such as the Birmingham protests, the March on Washington, the Birmingham church bombing, and the assassination of JFK. This week, instead of the usual poem, we set the scene with an audio excerpt of Martin Luther King Jr. reading from his "Letter from Birmingham Jail." Peniel Joseph holds a joint professorship appointment at the LBJ School of Public Affairs and the History Department in the College of Liberal Arts at The University of Texas at Austin. He is also the founding director of the LBJ School's Center for the Study of Race and Democracy. His career focus has been on “Black Power Studies,” which encompasses interdisciplinary fields such as Africana studies, law and society, women's and ethnic studies, and political science. Prior to joining the UT faculty, Joseph was a professor at Tufts University, where he founded the school's Center for the Study of Race and Democracy to promote engaged research and scholarship focused on the ways issues of race and democracy affect people's lives. In addition to being a frequent commentator on issues of race, democracy and civil rights, Joseph wrote the award-winning books “Waiting ‘Til the Midnight Hour: A Narrative History of Black Power in America, “Dark Days, Bright Nights: From Black Power to Barack Obama," and “Stokely: A Life" as well as “The Black Power Movement: Rethinking the Civil Rights-Black Power Era” and “Neighborhood Rebels: Black Power at the Local Level.”" His most recent book is "Freedom Season: How 1963 Transformed America's Civil Rights Revolution."

Our Summer 2025 series, Beside Still Waters, focuses on the places where creativity brings life into a world fatigued by brokenness and division. From jazz to Jane Austen and in between, this season we'll focus on the ways literature and the arts can refresh and challenge our inner lives—and connect us with the Creator of the good, the true, and the beautiful.How should we live faithfully within a world created to be good and beautiful, and yet everywhere marred by ugliness and injustice? Jazz vocalist and composer Ruth Naomi Floyd will guide us in bringing together music, creativity, and justice, and help us think about our roles in repairing, re-envisioning, and creating new places of beauty and flourishing:We know that art shapes and reshapes us and that it's there in the cross of Jesus, I believe, where beauty and violence collided and beauty won. And so that act of loving someone…purposely trying to love someone, especially those that seem or are viewed or deemed unlovable, is…directly connected and intrinsically connected to our art making.We hope you are encouraged by Ruth's artistic journey, as she helps us to find beauty in the midst of suffering, and to express love through creativity.This podcast is an edited version of an online conversation recorded in 2021. Watch the full video of the conversation here, and learn more about Ruth Naomi Floyd.Authors and books mentioned in the conversation:The Frederick Douglass Jazz WorksIt Was Good, Making Music to the Glory of God, by Ruth Naomi FloydThe Problem of Good, by Ruth Naomi FloydDr. John NunezToni MorrisonMartin Luther King Jr.Vincent van GoghHans Christian AndersenMiles DavisFrancis SchaefferJoshua StamperRelated Trinity Forum Readings:A Narrative of the Life of Frederick DouglassLetters from Vincent van GoghLetter from Birmingham Jail, by Martin Luther King Jr.Revelation, by Flannery O'ConnorBulletins from Immortality, by Emily DickinsonRelated Conversations:A New Year With The Word with Malcolm GuiteTo listen to this or any of our episodes in full, visit ttf.org/podcast and to join the Trinity Forum Society and help make content like this possible, join the Trinity Forum Society

Year C – 2nd Sunday after Pentecost; Lectionary 12 – June 22, 2025 Pastor Megan Floyd Luke 8:26-39 Letter from Birmingham Jail, MLK Jr.   Grace and Peace to you from our Lord, Jesus Christ, who is the source of our liberation. Amen. *** This past Thursday was Juneteenth… it is the day we honor June 19, 1865, when the last remaining people who were enslaved in Texas were liberated by the US Army… three years after the Emancipation Proclamation had been issued. A few of us came together to honor this day by reading and discussing Martin Luther King, Jr's, Letter from Birmingham Jail, from April 16, 1963. Nearly 100 years after the liberation of those people who were enslaved… we were reminded in that letter… that people of color in this country… were still not free. They… were still bound. And 62 years after this convicting letter… 62 years after MLK wrote of his ‘hope that the dark clouds of racial prejudice would soon pass away and the deep fog of misunderstanding would be lifted from our fear-drenched communities…' we sat with the pain of knowing that we are still not free from our sin of holding our fellow siblings captive. We… are still bound. So many people in our country are committed to their idea of what is right and acceptable, that instead of growing in their understanding of the beautiful diversity of God's creation, they have added to the categories of people who are bound by our prejudice… People of color still face discrimination from white people… and this now overwhelmingly includes Native Americans, and our immigrant, refugee, and migrant communities. Additionally, our LGBTQIA+ neighbors face prejudice and discrimination as they have started living more openly as their beautiful, authentic selves… And yet, the Supreme Court just issued a ruling last week to uphold a state law allowing for the ban of medical care for transgender youth… disregarding the mountain of evidence that this care literally saves lives… We are bound by our sin… and we cannot free ourselves. We are bound… but we have before us, our God in the flesh… Jesus… the source of our liberation. Jesus… the one who comes to release our chains… release us from our prisons and enslavement of our own making. Jesus… comes to us… to set us free. If we are willing… if we are willing to be freed. Our gospel text tells a story of a man plagued by demons… so many demons… he is so burdened… so bound by these demons… that he identifies as his demons… When Jesus asks him his name… he replies… Legion… for we are many. This man is literally bound… bound by chains, shackles, and by distance… separated from his society… marginalized… and feared. For Jesus and his disciples, this man is the most unclean of all the unclean… he is a foreigner… a gentile… he is possessed by demons… he is naked and living among the dead… in the tombs. For Jesus and his disciples, this man is not just outside of the realm of what they found acceptable… he was in another world. And yet… Jesus shows up here… because there is no place that is beyond Jesus' reach and authority… but it was here, among these tombs and with this poor man… it was here… that he was needed most. This man was bound… and Jesus frees him. Jesus comes to this man because this man needs Jesus… but in going to him, we see, yet again, that Jesus is always challenging the borders and boundaries around the way we think things should be. Jesus is always challenging us to widen our understanding of God's love for all of God's creation… and when we understand that… we loosen our own bonds and draw closer to Christ. And yet… living in such a tied up way is what we know best… After this man is freed from his demons, he immediately wants to be bound to Jesus… but Jesus is not going to trade one form of bondage for another… no. Jesus tells him… that he is free… and to go and share all that God has done for him. He is free. And his neighbors? …they are still bound by their fear… perhaps even more afraid now that this man whom they thought was bound up and controlled is now free and living among them… as if he belonged. They preferred it when this man who was different… was set apart… so they didn't have to think about him… or care for him… The man is now free… but they are still bound to their sin… and unwilling to be freed. Thinking back to Dr. King's letter from Birmingham Jail… King writes ‘that the greatest stumbling block is not the KKK, but the white moderate… who is more devoted to order than to justice… Who prefers a negative peace, which is the absence of tension, to a positive peace, which is the presence of justice…' The people in the country of the Gerasenes… wanted to chain up the one who was different… they wanted a “negative peace” …they wanted him to not remind them that he existed. They wanted him to remain bound. White people, after the abolition of slavery, wanted people of color to remain oppressed… they wanted both whites and blacks to buy into the false notion of white supremacy… …and many today are still bound to this sinful endeavor. And those who are uncomfortable with the LGBTQIA+ community… really of queerness of any kind… they also want those folks to remain bound, hidden away from view. They certainly want people who are transgender, or trans-queer, to not exist, and they think they can legislate them out of existence. They want a negative peace… an absence of tension… rather than a positive peace… which requires shaking off the shackles of sin and working for justice for those we have oppressed. But Jesus… remember where Jesus went? …he didn't go to the townspeople to try and convince them that this man was their brother, and they should care for him and provide for his needs. No. Jesus went to the man who was bound… because that's where he was needed. And we, who seek Jesus… that's where we need to go, too. We need to go to those who are bound… Jesus is the source of our true liberation from oppressive forces, both known and unknown. And when we seek Jesus… we will find him among those we have pushed away… we will find him among those who are bound. When we seek Jesus… we will find him when we engage in the work of breaking those bonds… the work of seeking justice for those who are oppressed. A genuine relationship with Jesus and a commitment to the way of the gospel can only compel us to engage in the pursuit of social justice. For you cannot love your neighbor… if you insist that they remain bound. If we try… and Lord help us, we try all the time… we find that we are also bound… bound by our sin… bound by our fear of the ‘other.' We are bound… and we cannot free ourselves. But Jesus… Jesus is our liberation… and Jesus has shown us the way to freedom… We cannot become free by seeking liberation for ourselves. We can only become free by seeking liberation for our neighbor. When we engage in the work of seeking justice and life for our neighbor who is bound by oppressive forces… we, too, will become free… Seeking liberation for our neighbor… brings us face to face with Jesus… Seeking liberation for our neighbor… is loving our neighbor… just as Jesus commanded… and engaging in this work… frees us both. Amen.

Peniel Joseph, professor of history and public affairs and director of the Center for the Study of Race and Democracy at the University of Texas at Austin and the author of Freedom Season: How 1963 Transformed America's Civil Rights Revolution (Basic Books, 2025), talks about his new book, an examination of the impact of events in 1963 on the struggle for civil rights -- from MLK's “Letter from Birmingham Jail” to the assassination of JFK.

Seth on Harvard University's teetering tax-exempt status. Remembering the famous 1963 Letter from a Birmingham Jail by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. It's time to get our brains back, America. We're joined by John Dombroski, founder and president of Grand Canyon Planning Associates. White House Press Secretary Leavitt's comments on deported MS-13 gang member Abrego Garcia. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This conversation delves into Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s 'Letter from Birmingham Jail,' exploring its historical context, the necessity of direct action in the civil rights movement, the distinction between just and unjust laws, and the role of the church and white moderates in the struggle for justice. It emphasizes the urgency of action against racial injustice and the need for creative extremism to achieve true equality.***GlossaHouse resources are available at our website! - https://glossahouse.com/✏️ ***Sign up for classes with GlossaHouse U - https://glossahouse.com/pages/classes

In continuing the season's theme of truth telling...Trey reads Martin Luther King Jr's Letter from Birmingham Jail. Enjoy. To support the work that we do here and to join the conversation, please visit our Patreon: patreon.com/threeblackmen and if you'd like to support us financially outside of Patreon, you can do that via PayPal: threeblackmenpodcast@gmail.com

Best-Selling Author & Distinguished Carter G. Woodson book award presented to exemplary books written for children and young people each year at the NCSS Annual Conference.My Show looks to the final day of Jubilee Remembrances 60th Anniversary 2025 in the South this Week. I consider it a Privilege to cover the True Foot Soldiers who were physically THERE during the Events that Changed History in American Civil Rights to All.My Guest is author Robert H. Mayer author of the book "In the Name of Emmett Till"The Movie "Till" premiered in the Fall 2022. It was a Box-Office Hit!Emmett Till Antilynching Act is a United States landmark federal law which makes lynching a federal hate crime and signed into law on March 29, 2022, by President Joe Biden. The bill was named after 14-year-old Emmett Till, who was lynched in Mississippi in 1955, sparking national and international outrage.Children played a significant role in Birmingham's crucial civil rights struggle, and this stirring history of the movement, with many photos, news reports, and quotes from all sides, emphasizes the connections between the young people's power and that of the big leaders. Martin Luther King called Birmingham the most segregated city in America, and his Letter from Birmingham Jail is quoted at length. But when the adults' protest lost momentum, the leaders' decision to call on young people galvanized the movement--Hazel RochmanRobert H. Mayer is the award-winning author of When the Children Marched: The Birmingham Civil Rights Movement and the editor of The Civil Rights Act of 1964. As a teacher, Mayer's passion continues to be making history relevant and accessible to young people. His time spent in Jackson, Canton, and McComb, Mississippi, as well as meeting scholars and activists integral to the civil rights movement, fueled the desire to write In the Name of Emmett Till. He lives in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, with his wife Jan, where he writes, teaches, and tutors youth in a local middle school.The 1955 murder of Emmett Till in Mississippi is widely remembered as one of the most horrible lynching's in American history. African American children old enough that year to be aware personally felt the terror of Till's murder. These children, however, would rise up against the culture that made Till's death possible. Over the next decade, from the violent Woolworth's lunch-counter sit-ins in Jackson to the school walkouts of McComb, the young people of Mississippi picketed, boycotted, organized, spoke out, and marched, determined to reveal the vulnerability of black bodies and the ugly nature of the world they lived in. These children changed that world.© 2025 Building Abundant Success!!2025 All Rights ReservedJoin Me on ~ iHeart Media @ https://tinyurl.com/iHeartBASSpot Me on Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/yxuy23baAmazon Music ~ https://tinyurl.com/AmzBASAudacy:  https://tinyurl.com/BASAud   

If you enjoy these history lessons please follow, like, share, and subscribe for future videos. My YouTube channel is Sunny Sharma‪@IndiaInsightMovement‬ and my podcast is “India Insight with Sunny Sharma”This short era of immense change began with the critical case of Brown vs Board of Education in 1954 that established separate but not equal is unconstitutional. This marked a significant constitutional victory in favor of an integrationist approach which led to the beginning of the Civil Rights Movement which was launched through the Montgomery Bus Boycott in Alabama in 1955-1956. The revolutionary approach, depending upon who you ask, of active nonviolent Civil Disobedience led by such figures as Rosa Parks, Ella Baker, Fannie Lou Hamer, Dr. King, Ralph Abernathy, Reverend James Lawson, and Bayard Rustin was the leading philosophical and practical approach to integrate public institutions in America including restaurants, schools, and public transportation. This period was characterized by immense grassroots movements led by coalitions of very diverse groups of people welcomed by a more inclusive approach. The Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) founded by Dr. King in 1957 revolved around nonviolent civil disobedience as a protest strategy and the goal of achieving full democratic participation through legal protections for the vote. The young John Lewis and Ella Baker, major leaders in the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), demanded not just more radical change and group centered leadership while also endorsing Dr. King's methods, but they also represented a cognitive and philosophical shift that many leaders such as Dr. King would take after 1966. These shifts occurred due to frustrations from the inability to change the fundamental political and economic conditions of African Americans despite legislative victories such as the 1964 Civil Rights Act and the 1965 Voting Rights Act. This tension resulted in the rise of black nationalism, cultural nationalism, and black power movements which influenced many young people to leave the integrationist fold. However, the two most influential black power groups the Black Panthers and partly Black Electoral Politics were not as comprehensive systems compared to the moral tactics and philosophy of Dr. King. Nonetheless, these black power movements, along with Malcolm X who will be discussed in part 2 of We Shall Overcome, have certainly captured the imagination of many young people while inspiring a black artistic and cultural movement to contribute to black expression and excellence even if their approach was somewhat limited when compared to integration. Still, integration was meant for the meaningful realization of full equality and equity with whites and it was clear that Western civilization not only has structural political and economic barriers to the advancement of colored people, it was also in a crisis. This is why, after 1966, Dr. King viewed that black people were in danger of “integrating into a burning house.” However, his Letter from a Birmingham Jail of 1963 stood the test of time as still relevant today to freedom fighters around the globe of the need to break unjust laws, force the moderates into action against perceived injustice, the reclamation of the social justice function of institutions or to see their degeneration, and so much more. In the next section, I will discuss some of the major movements to shift black consciousness later in the period from 1954-1975 such as Malcolm X, the black panthers, and the movement to elect black political figures many of whom were freedom fighters in the 1970s. The question is why did Malcolm X shift to a black nationalist international perspective and were these movement's goal to protect, enrich the black community, and form an independent black politics successful in hindsight?

Brian Delamont, TeachBeyond Vice President, returns to the podcast to share from 2 Corinthians 5 about what it looks like for our personal, internal transformation to impact culture – “getting out of our heads and into our neighborhoods.”    Romans 12:1-2 “Every culture, every sub-culture, has patterns of thinking, patterns of behavior.” Corporate Cultures by Terrence Deal and Allan Kennedy “For everyone everywhere, there's a ‘way that we do things around here.' So what people think moves then from internal to external because it's the values that drive the action. What you value in your thinking is going to exhibit itself in what you do.” 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 “Transformed thinking leads to transformed practices.” “Trying to make people behave in the ways that Christians behave without the transformation of Christ is impossible. You can't make an old creation behave like a new creation.” “Because you have been made new in Christ, the life that you live should look different.” Christ and Culture by Richard Niebuhr Letter from a Birmingham Jail by Martin Luther King Jr. Culture Making: Recovering Our Creative Calling by Andy Crouch Galatians 2:20 “A life shapes culture because it lives out the transforming values of what it believes.” “Our lives matter more than we know because God, in His sovereignty, is working through the symphony of lives that is the single tone of each Jesus-follower combining with His global Church to reveal His glory to the world.” February Reflection: Where is the Holy Spirit prompting me to bring more of the culture of His Kingdom coming? What step will I take to be the influence that Jesus is giving me the opportunity to be? What's changing our lives: Keane: YouTube video about loading the dishwasher  Heather: Networking with new and old connections (and check out the Head of School search here!) Brian: Preparing legos from his sons' childhood to play with grandchildren Weekly Spotlight: International Christian School of Togo We'd love to hear from you! podcast@teachbeyond.org Podcast Website: https://teachbeyond.org/podcast Learn about TeachBeyond: https://teachbeyond.org/ 

Reginald Dwayne Betts originally read Martin Luther King Jr.'s 1963 "Letter from Birmingham Jail" – King's defense of the use of nonviolent civil disobedience in the fight for civil rights – while in solitary confinement in prison. Mr. Betts, who served over 8 years for a carjacking he committed when he was 16, went on to become an award-winning poet and graduate of Yale Law School. He has written the Afterword for a new commemorative edition of Dr. King's "Letter from Birmingham Jail." Mr. Betts talks about the book and the work done by Freedom Reads, an organization he founded that builds libraries in prisons.           Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Reginald Dwayne Betts originally read Martin Luther King Jr.'s 1963 "Letter from Birmingham Jail" – King's defense of the use of nonviolent civil disobedience in the fight for civil rights – while in solitary confinement in prison. Mr. Betts, who served over 8 years for a carjacking he committed when he was 16, went on to become an award-winning poet and graduate of Yale Law School. He has written the Afterword for a new commemorative edition of Dr. King's "Letter from Birmingham Jail." Mr Betts talks about the book and the work done by Freedom Reads, an organization he founded that builds libraries in prisons.           Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Political anthropologists Ajantha Subramanian and Lori Allen are back to continue RTB's Violent Majorities series with a set of three episodes on long-distance ethno-nationalism. Today, they speak with Peter Beinart (an editor at Jewish Currents and Professor of Journalism and Political Science at the City University of New York) about his just-released book, Being Jewish After the Destruction of Gaza: A Reckoning (Knopf, 2025). It aims to mobilize Jewish religious ethics and teachings to reach a Jewish-American audience shaped by Zionism. Beinart seeks to debunk myths that prevent many from realizing that the moral abominations committed against Palestinians are part of the Israeli settler-colonial-nation-state project. Peter is haunted by the fact that some of the most ardent opposition to apartheid in his parents' country of South Africa came from secular Jewish people, and is troubled by the nationalistic tendency of religiously observant Jews there in the apartheid era. The three also discuss questions of solidarity against and among authoritarians, Israel's threat to international law, the dangers of minority alliances with majoritarian politics, campus politics, and the importance of seeing Gaza and Palestine as connected to us all. Peter's Recallable Book is Accepting the Yoke of Heaven: Commentary on the Weekly Torah Portion, by Orthodox scientist, philosopher, and Judaica scholar Yeshayahu Leibowitz (1903-1994), who emphasized the idolatry of investing the state with anything more than a supportive role in Jewish life. Mentioned in the Episode: 119 Violent Majorities, Indian and Israeli Ethnonationalism. Episode 2: Natasha Roth-Rowland with Ajantha and Lori Aparna Gopalan, "The Hindu Nationalists Using the Pro-Israel Playbook," Jewish Currents. Isabella Hammad, Recognizing the Stranger: On Palestine and Narrative. Martin Luther King, Letter from a Birmingham Jail. Ta-Nehisi Coates, The Message. The Beinart Notebook podcast Listen and Read Here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

Political anthropologists Ajantha Subramanian and Lori Allen are back to continue RTB's Violent Majorities series with a set of three episodes on long-distance ethno-nationalism. Today, they speak with Peter Beinart (an editor at Jewish Currents and Professor of Journalism and Political Science at the City University of New York) about his just-released book, Being Jewish After the Destruction of Gaza: A Reckoning (Knopf, 2025). It aims to mobilize Jewish religious ethics and teachings to reach a Jewish-American audience shaped by Zionism. Beinart seeks to debunk myths that prevent many from realizing that the moral abominations committed against Palestinians are part of the Israeli settler-colonial-nation-state project. Peter is haunted by the fact that some of the most ardent opposition to apartheid in his parents' country of South Africa came from secular Jewish people, and is troubled by the nationalistic tendency of religiously observant Jews there in the apartheid era. The three also discuss questions of solidarity against and among authoritarians, Israel's threat to international law, the dangers of minority alliances with majoritarian politics, campus politics, and the importance of seeing Gaza and Palestine as connected to us all. Peter's Recallable Book is Accepting the Yoke of Heaven: Commentary on the Weekly Torah Portion, by Orthodox scientist, philosopher, and Judaica scholar Yeshayahu Leibowitz (1903-1994), who emphasized the idolatry of investing the state with anything more than a supportive role in Jewish life. Mentioned in the Episode: 119 Violent Majorities, Indian and Israeli Ethnonationalism. Episode 2: Natasha Roth-Rowland with Ajantha and Lori Aparna Gopalan, "The Hindu Nationalists Using the Pro-Israel Playbook," Jewish Currents. Isabella Hammad, Recognizing the Stranger: On Palestine and Narrative. Martin Luther King, Letter from a Birmingham Jail. Ta-Nehisi Coates, The Message. The Beinart Notebook podcast Listen and Read Here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Political anthropologists Ajantha Subramanian and Lori Allen are back to continue RTB's Violent Majorities series with a set of three episodes on long-distance ethno-nationalism. Today, they speak with Peter Beinart (an editor at Jewish Currents and Professor of Journalism and Political Science at the City University of New York) about his just-released book, Being Jewish After the Destruction of Gaza: A Reckoning (Knopf, 2025). It aims to mobilize Jewish religious ethics and teachings to reach a Jewish-American audience shaped by Zionism. Beinart seeks to debunk myths that prevent many from realizing that the moral abominations committed against Palestinians are part of the Israeli settler-colonial-nation-state project. Peter is haunted by the fact that some of the most ardent opposition to apartheid in his parents' country of South Africa came from secular Jewish people, and is troubled by the nationalistic tendency of religiously observant Jews there in the apartheid era. The three also discuss questions of solidarity against and among authoritarians, Israel's threat to international law, the dangers of minority alliances with majoritarian politics, campus politics, and the importance of seeing Gaza and Palestine as connected to us all. Peter's Recallable Book is Accepting the Yoke of Heaven: Commentary on the Weekly Torah Portion, by Orthodox scientist, philosopher, and Judaica scholar Yeshayahu Leibowitz (1903-1994), who emphasized the idolatry of investing the state with anything more than a supportive role in Jewish life. Mentioned in the Episode: 119 Violent Majorities, Indian and Israeli Ethnonationalism. Episode 2: Natasha Roth-Rowland with Ajantha and Lori Aparna Gopalan, "The Hindu Nationalists Using the Pro-Israel Playbook," Jewish Currents. Isabella Hammad, Recognizing the Stranger: On Palestine and Narrative. Martin Luther King, Letter from a Birmingham Jail. Ta-Nehisi Coates, The Message. The Beinart Notebook podcast Listen and Read Here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/political-science

Political anthropologists Ajantha Subramanian and Lori Allen are back to continue RTB's Violent Majorities series with a set of three episodes on long-distance ethno-nationalism. Today, they speak with Peter Beinart (an editor at Jewish Currents and Professor of Journalism and Political Science at the City University of New York) about his just-released book, Being Jewish After the Destruction of Gaza: A Reckoning (Knopf, 2025). It aims to mobilize Jewish religious ethics and teachings to reach a Jewish-American audience shaped by Zionism. Beinart seeks to debunk myths that prevent many from realizing that the moral abominations committed against Palestinians are part of the Israeli settler-colonial-nation-state project. Peter is haunted by the fact that some of the most ardent opposition to apartheid in his parents' country of South Africa came from secular Jewish people, and is troubled by the nationalistic tendency of religiously observant Jews there in the apartheid era. The three also discuss questions of solidarity against and among authoritarians, Israel's threat to international law, the dangers of minority alliances with majoritarian politics, campus politics, and the importance of seeing Gaza and Palestine as connected to us all. Peter's Recallable Book is Accepting the Yoke of Heaven: Commentary on the Weekly Torah Portion, by Orthodox scientist, philosopher, and Judaica scholar Yeshayahu Leibowitz (1903-1994), who emphasized the idolatry of investing the state with anything more than a supportive role in Jewish life. Mentioned in the Episode: 119 Violent Majorities, Indian and Israeli Ethnonationalism. Episode 2: Natasha Roth-Rowland with Ajantha and Lori Aparna Gopalan, "The Hindu Nationalists Using the Pro-Israel Playbook," Jewish Currents. Isabella Hammad, Recognizing the Stranger: On Palestine and Narrative. Martin Luther King, Letter from a Birmingham Jail. Ta-Nehisi Coates, The Message. The Beinart Notebook podcast Listen and Read Here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/jewish-studies

Political anthropologists Ajantha Subramanian and Lori Allen are back to continue RTB's Violent Majorities series with a set of three episodes on long-distance ethno-nationalism. Today, they speak with Peter Beinart (an editor at Jewish Currents and Professor of Journalism and Political Science at the City University of New York) about his just-released book, Being Jewish After the Destruction of Gaza: A Reckoning (Knopf, 2025). It aims to mobilize Jewish religious ethics and teachings to reach a Jewish-American audience shaped by Zionism. Beinart seeks to debunk myths that prevent many from realizing that the moral abominations committed against Palestinians are part of the Israeli settler-colonial-nation-state project. Peter is haunted by the fact that some of the most ardent opposition to apartheid in his parents' country of South Africa came from secular Jewish people, and is troubled by the nationalistic tendency of religiously observant Jews there in the apartheid era. The three also discuss questions of solidarity against and among authoritarians, Israel's threat to international law, the dangers of minority alliances with majoritarian politics, campus politics, and the importance of seeing Gaza and Palestine as connected to us all. Peter's Recallable Book is Accepting the Yoke of Heaven: Commentary on the Weekly Torah Portion, by Orthodox scientist, philosopher, and Judaica scholar Yeshayahu Leibowitz (1903-1994), who emphasized the idolatry of investing the state with anything more than a supportive role in Jewish life. Mentioned in the Episode: 119 Violent Majorities, Indian and Israeli Ethnonationalism. Episode 2: Natasha Roth-Rowland with Ajantha and Lori Aparna Gopalan, "The Hindu Nationalists Using the Pro-Israel Playbook," Jewish Currents. Isabella Hammad, Recognizing the Stranger: On Palestine and Narrative. Martin Luther King, Letter from a Birmingham Jail. Ta-Nehisi Coates, The Message. The Beinart Notebook podcast Listen and Read Here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/middle-eastern-studies

Political anthropologists Ajantha Subramanian and Lori Allen are back to continue RTB's Violent Majorities series with a set of three episodes on long-distance ethno-nationalism. Today, they speak with Peter Beinart (an editor at Jewish Currents and Professor of Journalism and Political Science at the City University of New York) about his just-released book, Being Jewish After the Destruction of Gaza: A Reckoning (Knopf, 2025). It aims to mobilize Jewish religious ethics and teachings to reach a Jewish-American audience shaped by Zionism. Beinart seeks to debunk myths that prevent many from realizing that the moral abominations committed against Palestinians are part of the Israeli settler-colonial-nation-state project. Peter is haunted by the fact that some of the most ardent opposition to apartheid in his parents' country of South Africa came from secular Jewish people, and is troubled by the nationalistic tendency of religiously observant Jews there in the apartheid era. The three also discuss questions of solidarity against and among authoritarians, Israel's threat to international law, the dangers of minority alliances with majoritarian politics, campus politics, and the importance of seeing Gaza and Palestine as connected to us all. Peter's Recallable Book is Accepting the Yoke of Heaven: Commentary on the Weekly Torah Portion, by Orthodox scientist, philosopher, and Judaica scholar Yeshayahu Leibowitz (1903-1994), who emphasized the idolatry of investing the state with anything more than a supportive role in Jewish life. Mentioned in the Episode: 119 Violent Majorities, Indian and Israeli Ethnonationalism. Episode 2: Natasha Roth-Rowland with Ajantha and Lori Aparna Gopalan, "The Hindu Nationalists Using the Pro-Israel Playbook," Jewish Currents. Isabella Hammad, Recognizing the Stranger: On Palestine and Narrative. Martin Luther King, Letter from a Birmingham Jail. Ta-Nehisi Coates, The Message. The Beinart Notebook podcast Listen and Read Here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/critical-theory

Political anthropologists Ajantha Subramanian and Lori Allen are back to continue RTB's Violent Majorities series with a set of three episodes on long-distance ethno-nationalism. Today, they speak with Peter Beinart (an editor at Jewish Currents and Professor of Journalism and Political Science at the City University of New York) about his just-released book, Being Jewish After the Destruction of Gaza: A Reckoning (Knopf, 2025). It aims to mobilize Jewish religious ethics and teachings to reach a Jewish-American audience shaped by Zionism. Beinart seeks to debunk myths that prevent many from realizing that the moral abominations committed against Palestinians are part of the Israeli settler-colonial-nation-state project. Peter is haunted by the fact that some of the most ardent opposition to apartheid in his parents' country of South Africa came from secular Jewish people, and is troubled by the nationalistic tendency of religiously observant Jews there in the apartheid era. The three also discuss questions of solidarity against and among authoritarians, Israel's threat to international law, the dangers of minority alliances with majoritarian politics, campus politics, and the importance of seeing Gaza and Palestine as connected to us all. Peter's Recallable Book is Accepting the Yoke of Heaven: Commentary on the Weekly Torah Portion, by Orthodox scientist, philosopher, and Judaica scholar Yeshayahu Leibowitz (1903-1994), who emphasized the idolatry of investing the state with anything more than a supportive role in Jewish life. Mentioned in the Episode: 119 Violent Majorities, Indian and Israeli Ethnonationalism. Episode 2: Natasha Roth-Rowland with Ajantha and Lori Aparna Gopalan, "The Hindu Nationalists Using the Pro-Israel Playbook," Jewish Currents. Isabella Hammad, Recognizing the Stranger: On Palestine and Narrative. Martin Luther King, Letter from a Birmingham Jail. Ta-Nehisi Coates, The Message. The Beinart Notebook podcast Listen and Read Here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/anthropology

Political anthropologists Ajantha Subramanian and Lori Allen are back to continue RTB's Violent Majorities series with a set of three episodes on long-distance ethno-nationalism. Today, they speak with Peter Beinart (an editor at Jewish Currents and Professor of Journalism and Political Science at the City University of New York) about his just-released book, Being Jewish After the Destruction of Gaza: A Reckoning (Knopf, 2025). It aims to mobilize Jewish religious ethics and teachings to reach a Jewish-American audience shaped by Zionism. Beinart seeks to debunk myths that prevent many from realizing that the moral abominations committed against Palestinians are part of the Israeli settler-colonial-nation-state project. Peter is haunted by the fact that some of the most ardent opposition to apartheid in his parents' country of South Africa came from secular Jewish people, and is troubled by the nationalistic tendency of religiously observant Jews there in the apartheid era. The three also discuss questions of solidarity against and among authoritarians, Israel's threat to international law, the dangers of minority alliances with majoritarian politics, campus politics, and the importance of seeing Gaza and Palestine as connected to us all. Peter's Recallable Book is Accepting the Yoke of Heaven: Commentary on the Weekly Torah Portion, by Orthodox scientist, philosopher, and Judaica scholar Yeshayahu Leibowitz (1903-1994), who emphasized the idolatry of investing the state with anything more than a supportive role in Jewish life. Mentioned in the Episode: 119 Violent Majorities, Indian and Israeli Ethnonationalism. Episode 2: Natasha Roth-Rowland with Ajantha and Lori Aparna Gopalan, "The Hindu Nationalists Using the Pro-Israel Playbook," Jewish Currents. Isabella Hammad, Recognizing the Stranger: On Palestine and Narrative. Martin Luther King, Letter from a Birmingham Jail. Ta-Nehisi Coates, The Message. The Beinart Notebook podcast Listen and Read Here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/israel-studies

Political anthropologists Ajantha Subramanian and Lori Allen are back to continue RTB's Violent Majorities series with a set of three episodes on long-distance ethno-nationalism. Today, they speak with Peter Beinart (an editor at Jewish Currents and Professor of Journalism and Political Science at the City University of New York) about his just-released book, Being Jewish After the Destruction of Gaza: A Reckoning (Knopf, 2025). It aims to mobilize Jewish religious ethics and teachings to reach a Jewish-American audience shaped by Zionism. Beinart seeks to debunk myths that prevent many from realizing that the moral abominations committed against Palestinians are part of the Israeli settler-colonial-nation-state project. Peter is haunted by the fact that some of the most ardent opposition to apartheid in his parents' country of South Africa came from secular Jewish people, and is troubled by the nationalistic tendency of religiously observant Jews there in the apartheid era. The three also discuss questions of solidarity against and among authoritarians, Israel's threat to international law, the dangers of minority alliances with majoritarian politics, campus politics, and the importance of seeing Gaza and Palestine as connected to us all. Peter's Recallable Book is Accepting the Yoke of Heaven: Commentary on the Weekly Torah Portion, by Orthodox scientist, philosopher, and Judaica scholar Yeshayahu Leibowitz (1903-1994), who emphasized the idolatry of investing the state with anything more than a supportive role in Jewish life. Mentioned in the Episode: 119 Violent Majorities, Indian and Israeli Ethnonationalism. Episode 2: Natasha Roth-Rowland with Ajantha and Lori Aparna Gopalan, "The Hindu Nationalists Using the Pro-Israel Playbook," Jewish Currents. Isabella Hammad, Recognizing the Stranger: On Palestine and Narrative. Martin Luther King, Letter from a Birmingham Jail. Ta-Nehisi Coates, The Message. The Beinart Notebook podcast Listen and Read Here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/politics-and-polemics

Thank You To Our Partners The Institute, AutoFlow, AutoLeap, Shop Dog Marketing, In-Bound:In this episode, Craig is concise as he reflects on the timeless wisdom of Martin Luther King Jr. and how his principles of nonviolent conflict resolution remain highly relevant today. Inspired by recent readings of King's works, specifically his iconic Letter from Birmingham Jail, Craig explores how these lessons can be applied to resolving conflicts in everyday life—even in situations as modern as addressing negative reviews.This thoughtful discussion acknowledges the historical context of King's writings while highlighting their enduring value in promoting understanding, negotiation, and meaningful resolution.Watch Full Video EpisodeKey Points Discussed:Craig's Appreciation for MLK's Legacy: Acknowledging King's brilliance as a leader, communicator, and writer, Craig emphasizes the enduring relevance of his concepts and principles.The Four Steps of a Nonviolent Campaign (as outlined in Letter from Birmingham Jail):Collection of Facts: Ensure injustices are present and verified.Negotiation: Open dialogue with a willingness to find common ground.Self-Purification: Prepare yourself to act constructively and maintain the ability to return to negotiation.Direct Action: Take deliberate action aimed at fostering a return to negotiation.The Word of the Day:Unfettered.Adj - Not controlled by anyone or anything. UninhibitedModern Applications:Craig draws parallels between these steps and common missteps in conflict resolution today, such as skipping fact-gathering and jumping straight to retaliation—like leaving a low review without understanding the full story. He discusses how these missed steps can lead to escalation rather than resolution.Takeaways for Listeners:People care about how much you know only after they know how much you care.Applying MLK's principles to situations like resolving a customer complaint or an unjust review can model constructive engagement and encourage others to seek facts, negotiation, and resolution.This episode is a thoughtful tribute to King's enduring legacy and a practical guide for applying his lessons to resolve conflicts with empathy and integrity.Links & Resources:Letter from Birmingham Jail by Martin Luther King Jr.Join Craig as he unpacks these timeless lessons and their power to transform the way we approach conflicts in our personal and professional lives.Thank You To Our Partners The Institute, AutoFlow, AutoLeap, Shop Dog Marketing, In-Bound:The Institute at WeAreTheInstitute.com. "Stop stressing over your business, you deserve a good night's sleep. The Institute's coaching helps you achieve success and financial peace.AutoFlow at AutoFlow.com. Your partner in technology, Autoflow consolidates your client interactions - before, during and after the visit to a single thread. Learn more at Autoflow.comAutoLeap at AutoLeap.com. Are you tired of juggling multiple tools to manage your auto repair shop? Say hello to the streamlined efficiency of AutoLeap, the #1 all-in-one Auto...

This week, a16z cofounder Ben Horowitz had a rare and invaluable conversation with Dr. Clarence B. Jones, a pivotal figure in American history. Dr. Jones, who served as speechwriter, attorney, and advisor to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., shared his personal insights on race, inclusion, and the lasting legacy of the civil rights movement in 2025.In their wide-ranging discussion, Dr. Jones reflected on the timeless wisdom of Dr. King, quoting one of the most enduring lines from the "I Have a Dream" speech: “I want my four children to be judged by the content of their character, not by the color of their skin.”“That, to me, is still, that's the template,” Dr. Jones said. “That still remains a template.”Their conversation covered critical themes in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, delving into the history of the movement, the lessons from "Letter from Birmingham Jail," and the profound impact Dr. King's work continues to have today.It was a rare opportunity to hear directly from someone who not only witnessed history but played a key role in shaping it, and we hope you enjoy it. About Dr. Clarence B. Jones:Dr. Clarence B. Jones served as legal counsel, strategic advisor, and draft speechwriter to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. from 1960 until Dr. King's assassination in Memphis, Tennessee, on April 4, 1968. During that time, Dr. King depended on Dr. Jones for legal and strategic counsel and assistance in drafting landmark speeches and public testimony. He is credited with writing the first seven paragraphs of the iconic I Have A Dream speech. Across the decades following Dr. King's assassination in 1968, Clarence B. Jones worked to carry on Dr. King's legacy, to continue the nonviolent struggle for social justice, voting rights, and democratic inclusion. He is the founder of the Dr. Clarence B. Jones Institute for Social Advocacy, and also serves as the Founding Director Emeritus of the Institute for Nonviolence and Social Justice at the University of San Francisco. Dr. Jones is also the author of three acclaimed books "What Would Martin Say?", "Behind the Dream: The Making of the Speech that Transformed a Nation" and "Last of the Lions". Stay Updated: Let us know what you think: https://ratethispodcast.com/a16zBen on X:  http://twitter.com/bhorowitzFind a16z on X: https://twitter.com/a16zFind a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16zSubscribe on your favorite podcast app: https://a16z.simplecast.com/Follow our host: https://twitter.com/stephsmithioPlease note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.

To further celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we're re-releasing our classic episode about the Children's Crusade, an effort to bring the youth of Birmingham, Alabama into the Civil Rights Movement in order to affect change across the country. April 20, 1963. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. walks out of Alabama's Birmingham Jail after being held for a week for peacefully protesting. He spent most of that time writing a letter that passionately defends the civil rights movement's nonviolent tactics. But despite King's passion, the movement's progress has stalled. King needs a major victory in Birmingham, but he's running out of people willing to risk their livelihoods and safety for this cause. So a new tactic starts taking shape: recruiting young people to protest. After all, kids have the least to lose and the most to gain from a more equal future. But King says the risk is too high. So what changes his mind about putting kids on the front lines? And how did the Children's March shift Americans' support of civil rights? Special thanks to our guests: Children's Crusade participants Jessie Shepherd, Janice Wesley Kelsey, and Charles Avery. And Ahmad Ward, former head of education at the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute and current Executive Director at Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park. To stay updated: historythisweekpodcast.com ** This episode originally aired April 17, 2023. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, we revisit the reading of Reverend Martin Luther King's 1963 "Letter From A Birmingham Jail". It was performed annually as a staged reading in the Great Hall of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library prior to the library's renovation. Today, we continue that tradition in virtual form, blending voices familiar and new, including DC Public Library staff and community members.

In this episode of The Mindshift Mami Show, we dive into one of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s most profound lessons from his Letter from Birmingham Jail: the role of tension in growth and transformation. Dr. King believed that discomfort and constructive tension were essential for creating meaningful change—whether in society or in our personal lives. Join me as we explore how this powerful concept applies to achieving personal goals, strengthening relationships, and pushing for social justice. From fitness challenges to tough conversations, we'll uncover why leaning into life's uncomfortable moments is the key to thriving. Stay tuned for actionable insights, mindset shifts, and powerful affirmations to help you embrace tension and unlock your potential.

To realize MLK's vision of a Beloved Community, we're all called to live from a moral conscience that interconnects and permeates society with justice and peace.Working at the intersection of politics, religion, and education, Dr. Lerone Martin of Stanford University is carrying forward the legacy of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in a social and historical context desperately in need of renewed moral imagination, connection across racial and economic divides, and the transformative power of love.In this conversation with Lerone Martin, we discuss:How his spirituality integrates with the meaning of education and formationThe legacy of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., his vision of thriving and justice, and the relevance of his life and writings for the contemporary worldThe role of emotion and affect and music in Christian faith and spiritualityWe dive into the core elements of MLK's famous “Letter from a Birmingham Jail”We explore the joint power of courage and love in non-violent actionWe look at practical insights about the kind of morality that leads to thriving,And we close by asking the question posed in Martin Luther King's final book, Where do we go from here?About Dr. Lerone MartinDr. Lerone Martin is the Martin Luther King, Jr., Centennial Professor in Religious Studies, and the Director of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Research and Education Institute at Stanford University.He's a historian of 20th-century religion and a cultural commentator. He's written books about White Christian Nationalism in the FBI, as well as the making of modern African American Christianity—as well as a book about MLK's adolescence and his early sense of vocation and calling.He stays deeply connected to teaching and community service, teaching the “Why College?” freshman course at Stanford, inspiring underserved high school students in Los Angeles and St. Louis, and developing programming and teaching courses for the incarcerated.Visit the King Institute online at kinginstitute.stanford.edu or follow him on X @DirectorMLK.Show NotesLerone Martin's spiritual background and early Pentecostal faith, concerned with personal moralityTeaching and Preaching“Why College?” Course at Stanford UniversityIndividual Conscience and Life in the Beloved CommunityJosiah Royce (1913) coined the term “Beloved Community”Lerone Martin on: What is thriving?Connections to communityThriving as living out your vocation, love God, neighbor, and selfSet apart for something“Set apart for the beloved community.”What gave MLK his strength and resilience?MLK's adolescence and early sense of vocation for ministry, pastoral service, and leadershipWorking in a Hartford, Connecticut kitchen to serve others and catch a vision for Beloved CommunityThe rediscovery and inspiration of MLK on young people todayReferences to Old Testament scripture in civil rights languageCentrality of “One Love” in MLK's political activism“Let justice roll down!”Benjamin Elijah Mays: The love of God and love of humanity are one love.”Thriving and living with dignity and respectOne love in a pluralistic setting“We can't just rely on expediency.”Values and guiding North Star for moralityTeaching as a guide for studentsHis spirituality was shaped by his mother's moral and cultural formation and his father's ministry.MLK and music“The musicality of his voice.”Spirituality as a jazz man“I Have Been to the Mountaintop” (Delivered by MLK in Memphis on April 3, 1968, a day before his assassination)“I've seen the Promised land.”“The musicality of  his voice moves people.”What is the role of music in Lerone Martin's life: hip hop poetry, awe in gospel music, and improvisation and teamwork in jazz“Music reminds me to be in my body.”Non-violent direct action theoryThe grit of practitioners of non-violent resistance“ There's really nothing passive or weak about non-violent resistance.”“ King would see a love as an action. For him, it's love in action because the means that you   use have to be commensurate  or match the ends that you seek.”Despite the fact that someone's oppressing you, you still love them.”Changing how we define citizenshipThe effectiveness of non-violent campaigns“Letter from a Birmingham Jail” (April 16, 1963)“In no sense do I advocate evading or defying the law, as would the rabid segregationist. That would lead to anarchy. One who breaks an unjust law must do so openly, lovingly, and with a willingness to accept the penalty. I submit that an individual who breaks a law that conscience tells him is unjust, and who willingly accepts the penalty of imprisonment in order to arouse the conscience of the community over its injustice, is in reality expressing the highest respect for law.”The four steps of a non-violent campaign: (1) collection of facts, (2) negotiation, dialogue, disagreement, or communication, (3) self-purification and self-reflection to cultivate resilience, and (4) then direct action.When does patience become passivity?How do we live out “Letter from Birmingham Jail”?Read it regularly, recognize the difference between just and unjust lawsPractice civil disobedience, but willingly, openly, and non-violentlyThe power of sacred textsCultivating the will to do justice, via love, courage, and disciplineWhere Do We Go from Here?: Chaos or Community?A path toward spiritual life or spiritual death?Cultivating civic virtue, bringing it back into our politics and our homes“Means must become commensurate to the ends we seek.”Virtue and valuesPam King's Key TakeawaysFor justice to roll down, we need to see our interdependence, interconnectedness, and live into the unity of One Love.There's a difference between just and unjust laws, the challenge is in cultivating the moral sense to tell the difference, and the courage to do something about injustice.Furthermore, the civil disobedience of MLK was grounded in the wisdom of community, accountability, and integrity.Courage and love are deeply connected, and work together to guide us toward love of neighbor, stranger, and enemy.Pursuing justice takes true grit and an agency that emerges from deep character formation, spiritual connection, and an unwavering commitment to realizing the beloved community. About the Thrive CenterLearn more at thethrivecenter.org.Follow us on Instagram @thrivecenterFollow us on X @thrivecenterFollow us on LinkedIn @thethrivecenter About Dr. Pam KingDr. Pam King is Executive Director the Thrive Center and is Peter L. Benson Professor of Applied Developmental Science at Fuller School of Psychology & Marriage and Family Therapy. Follow her @drpamking. About With & ForHost: Pam KingSenior Director and Producer: Jill WestbrookOperations Manager: Lauren KimSocial Media Graphic Designer: Wren JuergensenConsulting Producer: Evan RosaSpecial thanks to the team at Fuller Studio and the Fuller School of Psychology & Marriage and Family Therapy.

Happy MLK Day! in this episode, Martin Luther King Jr's famous Letter from the Birmingham Jail and his critique of white moderates and this quote from that letter: "I have almost reached the regrettable conclusion that the Negro's great stumbling block in his stride toward freedom is not the White Citizen's Counciler or the Ku Klux Klanner, but the white moderate, who is more devoted to "order" than to justice; who prefers a negative peace which is the absence of tension to a positive peace which is the presence of justice; who constantly says: "I agree with you in the goal you seek, but I cannot agree with your methods of direct action"; who paternalistically believes he can set the timetable for another man's freedom; who lives by a mythical concept of time and who constantly advises the Negro to wait for a 'more convenient season.'" That quote powerfully resonated with me and provides a key reason why I can no longer identify as a Democrat. All talk without any skin the game or offering actual solutions of their own. I also explore what King would think of AOC and Trump.

It's MLK weekend, and we'll read portions of King's Letter from a Birmingham Jail during worship, as we consider Jesus' own "call to ministry" from Luke, chapter 4.

Our Way Black History Fact is Dr. King’s Letter from a Birmingham Jail.Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/civiccipher?utm_source=searchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we're rebroadcasting an episode from the Resources Radio archive while the team is on a break through the rest of December. We'll be back with new episodes in the new year; in the meantime, enjoy this throwback and poke around the archive at Resources.org for more topics you might be interested in. In this week's episode rerun, host Margaret Walls talks with economists Maximilian Auffhammer, Paul J. Ferraro, and John Whitehead. All three guests are recent recipients of the Association of Environmental and Resource Economists (AERE) Fellows Award. The AERE Fellows Program recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the field of environmental and resource economics, including research, mentorship, service in the AERE community, and policy advising. Auffhammer, Ferraro, and Whitehead reflect on their careers, discuss winning the award, and offer insights into the current state of environmental and resource economics and the evolution of the field. References and recommendations: Association of Environmental and Resource Economists; https://www.aere.org/ Berkeley/Sloan Summer School in Environmental and Energy Economics; https://www.auffhammer.com/summer-school “Pricing the Priceless: A History of Environmental Economics” by Spencer Banzhaf; https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/pricing-the-priceless/417AAD8A445E8B64BAD6BC201D2F2163 “Letter from Birmingham Jail” by Martin Luther King Jr.; https://digitalcollections.libraries.ua.edu/digital/collection/p17336coll22/id/2681/

Transcript:Hello! This is Pastor Don of Christ Redeemer Church. Welcome to The Kingdom Perspective! Perhaps, there is no more famous articulation in recent memory of the limits of human government than that given by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. In his famous “Letter from a Birmingham Jail”. In it he reasons from the theology of St. Augustine, St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Paul and Jesus Himself. A human law and its application are only valid to the degree that they square with the law of God. Why? Because human law is only legitimate within the bounds given by divine appointment. Human authority has limits. Remember, Jesus told the corrupt Pontius Pilate: “You would have no authority…at all unless it had been given you from above” (John 19:11). St. Paul says: “For there is no authority except from God” (Romans 13:1). Therefore, all who wield authority have a solemn responsibility before Almighty God to do so, not as they please, but as justice and mercy would require. Moreover, all matters of justice must be properly weighted according to the balance given in the law of God. To do otherwise is to misuse the law and so to operate in functional lawlessness. As Jesus put it, the “weightier matters of the law” are “justice, mercy and faithfulness” (Matthew 23:23), and as the prophet Micah (6:8) admonished:He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.And what does the Lord require of you?To act justly and to love mercyand to walk humbly with your God. Do you exercise your rights, powers, and authority not merely for yourself, but for glory of God and the good of your neighbor? Something to think about from The Kingdom Perspective. “With what shall I come to the LordAnd bow myself before the God on high?Shall I come to Him with burnt offerings,With yearling calves?Does the Lord take delight in thousands of rams,In ten thousand rivers of oil?Shall I present my firstborn for my rebellious acts,The fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?He has told you, O man, what is good;And what does the Lord require of youBut to do justice, to love kindness,And to walk humbly with your God?”~ Micah 6:6-8 (NASB95)

Transcript:Hello! This is Pastor Don of Christ Redeemer Church. Welcome to The Kingdom Perspective! You would be hard pressed to find a better or more succinct statement of the Christian understanding of limited human authority than that given by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. In April of 1963, he was imprisoned for protesting the overreach of laws mandating the segregation of races in the Jim Crow South. Writing from a Birmingham jail, he responded to white clergy that criticized his tactics in fighting these unjust laws. King responded with gracious but pointed truth, deeply rooted in the biblical tradition. Listen:“One has not only a legal but a moral responsibility to obey just laws. Conversely, one has a moral responsibility to disobey unjust laws. I would agree with St. Augustine that ‘an unjust law is no law at all'” (emphasis added). Dr. King goes on to raise the question:“Now, what is the difference between the two? How does one determine whether a law is just or unjust? A just law is a man-made code that squares with the moral law…of God. An unjust law is a code that is out of harmony with the moral law. To put it in the terms of St. Thomas Aquinas: An unjust law is a human law that is not rooted in eternal law and natural law.” (King, Martin Luther Jr. “Letter from a Birmingham Jail.” In Why We Can't Wait, 1963.) Now, what is Dr. King saying? Governmental authority is legitimate only to the degree that it squares with the Law of God. When human authority runs contrary to the Law of God, it abrogates its authority and must be disobeyed. Something to think about from The Kingdom Perspective. “When they had brought them, they stood them before the Council. The high priest questioned them, saying, ‘We gave you strict orders not to continue teaching in this name, and yet, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.' But Peter and the apostles answered, ‘We must obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you had put to death by hanging Him on a cross. He is the one whom God exalted to His right hand as a Prince and a Savior, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses of these things; and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him.'”~ Acts 5:27-32 (NASB95)

Clay interviews himself about his foray into Texas on Phase Three of the great John Steinbeck Travels with Charley tour of 2024. How is Texas different from other states? Can anyone really eat at the Big Texas Steak Ranch and survive? Is the Cadillac Ranch near Amarillo as worthy as Carhenge at Alliance, Nebraska? Why are Texans nicer IN Texas than when they drive their giant white pickups into other states? The program also includes a discussion of Clay's interlude in Birmingham, Alabama, where he had a fabulous guided tour of the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, including an encounter with the actual steel bars of the jail in which Martin Luther King wrote Letter from a Birmingham Jail. Plus, Clay's guide to the 2024 Presidential Election.

The Challenge of Christian Nationalism with Mark Noll and Vincent BacoteAs the lines between faith, politics, and patriotism have become, in some quarters, increasingly blurred, it is increasingly important to understand the origin, ideas, and consequences of Christian Nationalism — what it means, why it matters, and how best to respond.“Responsible Christian patriots try to show how Christianity can be a service to the nation; extreme nationalists make Christianity a servant of the nation.” - Mark Noll“If you think about the cross: patriotism, rightly construed from a Christian point of view, will put the flag at the foot of the cross. Christian nationalism wants to drape the [flag] over them. So is God serving your country, the sponsor of your country, or are you, as a Christian, operating wherever you are and having loyalty, but not your primary loyalty to your country over God?” - Vincent BacoteWe hope you find this conversation insightful and helpful as you consider the state of our culture and shared political life, and your role in reviving responsible Christian patriotism.This podcast is an edited version of an Online Conversation recorded in June of 2021. You can access the full conversation with transcript here. Learn more about Mark Noll and Vincent Bacote.Authors and books mentioned in the conversation:The Scandal of the Evangelical Mind by Mark NollGod and Race in American Politics: A Short History, by Mark NollThe Civil War as Theological Crisis, by Mark NollIn the Beginning Was the Word: The Bible in American Public Life, by Mark NollThe Political Disciple, A Theology of Public Life, by Vincent BacoteReckoning with Race and Performing the Good News, by Vincent BacoteThe Spirit in Public Theology: Appropriating the legacy of Abraham Kuyper, by Vincent BacoteRelated Trinity Forum Readings:A Narrative of the Life of Frederick DouglassCity of God by St. Augustine of HippoChildren of Light and Children of Darkness by Reinhold NiebuhrLetter from a Birmingham Jail by Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.Related Conversations:Rebuilding our Common Life with Yuval LevinThe Challenge of Christian Nationalism with Mark Noll and Vincent BacoteThe Decadent Society with Ross DouthatScience, Faith, Trust and Truth with Francis CollinsBeyond Ideology with Peter Kreeft and Eugene RiversJustice, Mercy, and Overcoming Racial Division with Claude Alexander and Mac PierHealing a Divided Culture with Arthur BrooksAfter Babel with Andy Crouch and Johnathan HaidtTrust, Truth, and The Knowledge Crisis with Bonnie KristianHope in an Age of Anxiety with Curtis Chang & Curt ThompsonTo listen to this or any of our episodes in full, visit ttf.org/podcast and to join the Trinity Forum Society and help make content like this possible, join the Trinity Forum SocietySpecial thanks to Ned Bustard for our podcast artwork.

In our final episode of the Shook By A Book series, Kelly talks with actor, writer and celebrated creative mind, Anna Deavere Smith about two books that have stayed with her over the years: Letter From A Birmingham Jail by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Dibs in Search of Self: The Renowned, Deeply Moving Story of an Emotionally Lost Child Who Found His Way Back by Virginia M. Axline. …. Anna breaks down why these two very different books have been so affecting for her and how they inform her work. Special thanks to The Teagle Foundation for their generous support of this series.  Check out Anna performing Letter From a Birmingham Jail at the historic Stanford Memorial Church in 2015. You can also watch Kelly's Tell Me More interview with Anna at pbs.org/kelly. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

 Join Jasmine, Shilyn, and Tavian (kids of a Aaron and Adrian) as they share their favorite reads and insightful discussions on the power of storytelling. Discover a world of diverse narratives as the trio explores the magic of "Tristan Strong" by Kwame Mbalia and the adventure-packed "Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun." Shylan brings depth with historical and biographical gems like "Letter from Birmingham Jail" and "The Hero Two Doors Down," while Tavian highlights the relatable "New Kid" series. These recommendations offer something for everyone, blending mythology, real-life themes, and the experiences of black children in various settings. Join us for an episode that not only celebrates the joy of reading but also encourages young listeners to explore new worlds through books. Thanks for Listening! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram!

Send us a textIn his letter from Birmingham Jail in 1963, after being arrested on the rather trumped up charge of marching without a permit,  Martin luther king wrote, amongst other things, this quote. he said "There can be no deep disappointment where there is not deep love" in other words, if you feel disappointed it's only because you care about something. Support the Show. Social Media Links Threads https://www.threads.net/@richardnichollsreal Instagram https://www.instagram.com/richardnichollsreal Twitter https://twitter.com/richardnicholls Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RichardNichollsAuthor Youtube https://www.youtube.com/richardnicholls TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@richardnichollsauthor

How to be a Patriotic ChristianThe topic of Christian nationalism takes us into deep questions of how we understand and live out our allegiances to both our country and the kingdom of God, how we ought to relate to our neighbors, and how we should pursue justice and flourishing within our nation. It's also a topic rife with confusion and uncertainty. But what is Christian nationalism, and how is it different from a robust patriotism? On our podcast we explore these questions with scholars and authors Richard Mouw and Paul D. Miller who help us distinguish between living out one's faith in the public square and instrumentalizing faith for political ends:"Because I think America is in fact, so great, it means it is so tempting to idolize America because it's just one of the greatest things. Anything we idolize becomes destructive, and it can be destructive individually of our spiritual lives. But when you idolize a nation, that nation can be unbelievably destructive." - Paul D. MillerThis podcast is an edited version of an online conversation recorded in 2023. Watch the full video of the conversation here, and learn more about Richard Mouw and Paul D. MillerWe hope that this conversation has been helpful in articulating what it means to be a patriotic Christian, and in offering better language and frameworks for wrestling with questions of how to live out our faith in the public square.Authors and books mentioned in the conversation:Uncommon Decency: Christian Civility in an Uncivil World, by Richard MouwPluralisms and Horizons, by Richard MouwPraying at Burger King, by Richard MouwHow to Be a Patriotic Christian: Love of Country as Love of Neighbor, by Richard MouwThe Religion of American Greatness: What's Wrong with Christian Nationalism, by Paul D. MillerThis America: The Case for the Nation, by Jill LeporeAristotlePlatoRev. Martin Luther King Jr.AugustineC.S. LewisRichard John NeuhausSimone WeilJohn CalvinSt. Thérèse of LisieuxGeorge OrwellCurt ThompsonFrederick DouglassRelated Trinity Forum Readings:City of God, by AugustineThe Children of Light and The Children of Darkness, by Reinhold Niebuhr Wrestling with God, by Simone WeilLetter from Birmingham Jail, by Martin Luther King Jr'sDemocracy in America, by Alexis de TocquevilleRelated Conversations:A New Year With The Word with Malcolm GuiteMusic, Creativity & Justice with Ruth Naomi FloydPursuing Humility with Richard Foster and Brenda QuinnReading as a Spiritual Practice with Jessica Hooten WilsonWalking as a Spiritual Practice with Mark BuchananMaking as a Spiritual Practice with Makoto FujimuraConnecting Spiritual Formation & Public Life with Michael WearThe Kingdom, the Power & The Glory with Tim AlbertaA Life Worth Living with Miroslav VolfTowards a Better Christian PoliticsChristian Pluralism: Living Faithfully in a World of DifferenceWhat Really Matters with Charlie Peacock and Andi AshworthScripture and the Public SquareTo listen to this or any of our episodes in full, visit ttf.org/podcast and to join the Trinity Forum Society and help make content like this possible, join the Trinity Forum SocietySpecial thanks to Ned Bustard for our podcast artwork.

When poet, lawyer, and MacArthur Fellow Dwayne Betts was imprisoned for nine years at the age of 16 for carjacking, he only wept twice. One of those times was when he read Martin Luther King Jr.'s "Letter from Birmingham Jail." In this powerful conversation with EconTalk's Russ Roberts, Betts explains why he cried, what he learned from King, King's urgency in the face of injustice, and Betts's thoughts on writing the introduction to a new volume of King's letter.

Two weeks ago, several university administrators asked militarized police units to smash pro-Palestinian encampment protests on quads and in occupied buildings. It happened at places like Columbia and CUNY, and the University of Texas in Austin where our guest today, Dr. Peniel Joseph, teaches on the history of the Black Power movement.  In the midst of the news cycle frenzy, an old phrase began popping up in discussions of who the protestors were and whether the police actions were justified. Authorities said (and media figureheads repeated uncritically) that protestors were infiltrated and influenced by “outside agitators.” It's a phrase with a long history to it. Joining Matthew to unpack it is Dr. Peniel Joseph, a historian of the Civil Rights era, during which time the trope reached peak exposure, when it was lobbed at Martin Luther King Jr., as he sat in Birmingham Jail. Show Notes Peniel E. Joseph NYPD Chief of Patrol on the “unknown entity” Thursday's Headlines: NYPD Discovers Chained Bike Locks Edition Nearly all Gaza campus protests in the US have been peaceful, study finds  Unmasking The 'Outside Agitator' Debunking the “Outside Agitator” Trope amid pro-Palestinian campus protests Cost of repairing occupation damage at Portland State library estimated at $750K Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

To honor Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Preet talks with Dr. Clayborne Carson, the former director of the King Papers Project and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Research and Education Institute, about Dr. King's iconic 1963 Letter from Birmingham Jail.  Preet and Dr. Carson explore the road that Dr. King took to write the letter, the unique and powerful lyricism of King's prose, and what we can learn from King's words today.  Stay Tuned in Brief is presented by CAFE and the Vox Media Podcast Network. Please write to us with your thoughts and questions at letters@cafe.com, or leave a voicemail at 669-247-7338. For analysis of recent legal news, join the CAFE Insider community. Head to cafe.com/insider to join for just $1 for the first month.  For references & supplemental materials, head to: cafe.com/stay-tuned/the-legacy-and-lyricism-of-dr-king-with-clayborne-carson/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Most of us have probably heard sayings from Jesus' famous teaching, commonly called the Sermon on the Mount. It's only 100 verses, but the sermon has created an enduring legacy that has shaped countless lives throughout history. In this first episode of a yearlong series on the Sermon on the Mount, Tim and Jon introduce some new voices and share stories of influential people who were inspired by Jesus' words. Then the team lays out the basic facts of the Sermon on the Mount and the different ways it's been interpreted over 2,000 years.View more resources on our website →Timestamps Chapter 1: Meet the Team and Hear Stories (00:00-18:08)Chapter 2: The Basics of the Sermon (18:08-32:22)Chapter 3: Interview with The Chosen Creator, Dallas Jenkins (32:22-44:15)Chapter 4: Domestication Strategies for the Sermon Throughout History (44:15-56:21)Referenced Resources“Letter from the Birmingham Jail” by Martin Luther King, Jr.The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich BonhoefferThe Hiding Place by Corrie Ten BoomThe Sermon on the Mount, Utopia or Program for Action? by Pinchas E. LapideInterested in more? Check out Tim's library here.You can experience our entire library of resources in the BibleProject app, available for Android and iOS.Show Music Original Sermon on the Mount music by Richie KohenBibleProject theme song by TENTSShow CreditsStephanie Tam is the Lead Producer for today's show. Production of today's episode is by Lindsey Ponder, producer; Cooper Peltz, managing producer; and Colin Wilson, producer. Tyler Bailey is our audio engineer and editor, and he also provided our sound design and mix. Brad Witty does our show notes, and Hannah Woo provides the annotations for our app. Today's hosts are Jon Collins and Michelle Jones.Powered and distributed by Simplecast.