Is it just me or does it feel like we've lived entire decades in the past few months? Time is strange.
I hope you are each staying well, spiritually, physically, emotionally, and mentally. I appreciate each of you who keeps showing up here, or shares old posts, or leaves kind comments here or on Facebook. Your kindnesses make my life sweeter.
Covid-19 / Corona Related Links
It may have slipped from the headlines, but we are still living through a pandemic.
- Pretty thorough discussion of things churches have to consider: Church Reopenings: The Risks, The Other Risks, and One No One is Talking About by Teddy Ray.
- Long, but much of it resonated with me: I Don't Feel Like Buying Stuff Anymore by Anne Helen Peterson at Buzzfeed. (language warning)
- That '70s Summer: Kids are Going Free Range Again by Hallie Cotnam. I hope this is what happens. I suspect it won't quite work out like this, though.
Racial Issues / Current Events
Shared in the hopes of furthering dialogue, not lecturing anyone. As always, I do not necessarily endorse all ideas or opinions expressed below.
- I appreciated this post and the effort in putting together such a diverse and challenging playlist: Making Peace: A Lament for Justice by Chris Thiessen at The Rabbit Room.
- I pray God forgives my ignorance but before last week I didn't even know "no knock" warrants were a thing: The No-Knock Warrant for Breonna Taylor was Illegal. Opinion piece by Radley Balko. I realize legal issues are complicated things but it seems pretty obvious that someone not guilty of any crime ought not be killed in her own bed in her own home by anyone, much less the police. "Oops" doesn't even begin to cover such injustice.
- This post grew my "to read" list exponentially: Race and Black Theology Reading List: An Annotated Bibliography at Mere Orthodoxy.
- Good reminder: Working Harder to Listen by Alan Cross at The Bulwark.
- Related to the above: What is the Baseline Responsibility of White Christians? by Meredith Brasher at Sojourners
- BlacKkKlansman is not an easy movie to watch, and it fully earned its "R" rating. But even if you choose not to watch the movie because of its rating, this post is worth reading: BlacKkKlansman's Less Obvious Villain by Kathryn Freeman at Think Christian.
- Articles and videos to consider for educational purposes here: Institutionalized Racism: A Syllabus
- I've followed Chloe Simone Valdary on Twitter for a while now and I always appreciate reading her perspective. She released this article just this week: Soul Force.
- There have been lots of articles recently about how to reform (or abolish) police and law enforcement. The Police Use of Force Project has extensively studied America's 100 largest police departments and documented it all.
- Looking for a blog about personal finance? This is an incredible list: 90+ African-American Personal Finance Bloggers. Let's continue amplifying diverse voices.
Other Things
- 'Imagine' is a Bad, Bad, Song by Matthew Walther. Co-sign!
- Fascinating rabbit hole to travel here: What Did Bach Sound Like to Bach?
- Made me laugh: Is Your Child Addicted to Jane Austen's Books? by Kyrie Gray.
From Living Unabridged
Three years ago I shared this list: Reading About Race and Slavery in 2017. I need to put together a newer list since I've read some great books on similar subjects since then. But it's a start.
In honor of the 76th anniversary of D-day: Books About World War 2 for Kids and Teens
And, in honor of our NICU baby who came home five years ago: Life in the NICU: Unabridged Emotions
That baby is a five year old little man now. He bosses us all around (or tries to, anyway) and keeps us all on our toes, no doubt about it.
Until next time: be well, friends!
