• Radical Reconciliation

    BHM2021 Black Poets: Countee Cullen (1903-1946)

    Heritage BY COUNTEE CULLEN (For Harold Jackman) What is Africa to me:Copper sun or scarlet sea,Jungle star or jungle track,Strong bronzed men, or regal blackWomen from whose loins I sprangWhen the birds of Eden sang?One three centuries removedFrom the scenes his fathers loved,Spicy grove, cinnamon tree,What is Africa to me? So I lie, who all day longWant no sound except the songSung by wild barbaric birdsGoading massive jungle herds,Juggernauts of flesh that passTrampling tall defiant grassWhere young forest lovers lie,Plighting troth beneath the sky.So I lie, who always hear,Though I cram against my earBoth my thumbs, and keep them there,Great drums throbbing through the air.So I lie, whose fount of pride,Dear…

  • Radical Reconciliation

    2020: The Year when Soap Operas Came to Life

    My Aunt was a Young and the Restless fan. Aunt Geraldine babysat us for years. My sisters and cousins watched Y&R because she watched Y&R. Soon, it became an addiction. The lies, drama, fighting, kidnapping, kissing, cheating, and overall mayhem made our daily lives seem boring in comparison. I use to drool over Neil Winters (rest in peace Kristoff St. John) & Malcolm Winters (Shemar Moore). I still marvel that Victor doesn’t seem to age. At one point, I was so engrossed in the storylines that I would dream about the possible outcomes. But, in the end, my real life intruded on the fictional plots and Genoa City became less…

  • Faith,  Radical Reconciliation

    Christ, The Leading Authority on Race Discussions – Not You

    By Malachi Carter Today we welcome Malachi Carter to the pursuit! Malachi A+scribe Carter is a Far East Side Indy artist. He describes his writing as “those inner-city school field trips to a Broadway musical (before, during, and after).” He probably does too many things: rapper, poet, host of The Unapologetics Podcast, high school Humanities teacher, Director of Elementary at his church home, photographer, and activist. He just cannot seem to stick to wearing just one hat; they all look so dope! Why not wear them all, in one day? Can I be 2020 for a moment? I am ever so tired of my white brothers and sisters speaking out…

  • Radical Reconciliation

    Racism is like 10,000 Paper Cuts

    by Carol F. Burton, CEO, Jeweld Legacy Group Today we welcome Guest Blogger, Carol F. Burton to the pursuit! She is the CEO of Jeweld Legacy Group, a consulting firm that focuses on building relationships that create equitable and transformative change in communities. She is also a wonderful travel companion, shoe diva, and my aunt! If you’d like to find out more about her, her contact information is at the end of the blog. Happy July!! Last weekend, I celebrated my 60th birthday. Even with COVID19 looming in the air and social unrest all around, this was by far the best birthday that I have ever witnessed.   This special milestone…

  • Radical Reconciliation

    Between Sisters: Listening, loving, and lessons from Ruth

    My biological sister, Monica and her good friend Beth began a dramatized journey that they entitled “Between Sisters” about twenty years ago. These two phenomenal artists have inspired countless other women to examine their cross-cultural relationships. Their work still inspires me today. Hence, the title of my latest article for CBE’s Arise Blog “Between Sisters: Lessons on Reconciliation from Ruth”. I submit that to you today for your Monday motivation. I’d love to hear what you think of it. https://www.cbeinternational.org/blogs/between-sisters-lessons-reconciliation-ruth?platform=hootsuite

  • Radical Reconciliation

    The Sacred Art of Listening

    As a Dean, a Diversity Professional, a Pastor, and a former Social Worker I’ve had my share of difficult conversations. In fact, I usually had a few every week. Mediating conflict, conduct violations, racial slurs, domestic and sexual abuse, child neglect and suicidal ideations. You name it, I’ve sat with it. So, I’ve tried to get really good at listening. When you really listen to someone with your eyes and your ears (90% of our communication is nonverbal)*, you often hear the things that lie beneath the words. Tone, pitch, rate, gestures, facial expressions, volume, and posture all tell us something about what the other person is trying to communicate.…

  • Radical Reconciliation

    Remember Her?

    Remember Her? She is daddy’s little girl and her mom’s pride and joy. Her smile lit up the room and her laugh was contagious. Sometimes I have to be reminded that I am her and she is me. She was full of hope and looked at the world with child-like wonder. Every day was an adventure and even when that adventure ended in tears, a hug would make it better. Sometimes I have to be reminded that I am her and she is me. She embraced play and had a vivid imagination. She was Wonder Woman, Cat Woman, Bat Girl, and She-Ra: The Princess of Power. She was Rosa Parks…

  • Radical Reconciliation

    Monday Musings: Fences

    Merriam-Webster’s defines a fence as “a barrier intended to prevent escape or intrusion or to mark a boundary”. In ancient civilizations, fences were the first line of defense and a means of protection. In our own way, we each build up fences to protect those things we hold dear. We fence in our hearts, our dreams, our ambitions, our secret thoughts. Sometimes we fence in people. Sometimes we fence in possessions. Building boundaries as a form of defense is natural and necessary. Fortifying Fences A while ago, I began to let down a fence I had erected around a particular person. It felt safe. They’d done a few things that…