Mama and the Confederate Flag
When my thoughts turned recently to the renewed debate about the Confederate flag and its place in American life, I …
The Fear of Black Bodies in Motion
Darren Wilson killed Michael Brown because he was black. After months of investigation, many inquiries, protests, much social commentary, and …
In the Footsteps of James Baldwin and Michael Brown
On a recent trip to Paris, I felt compelled to trace the footsteps of the novelist James Baldwin. I wanted …
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Balancing the Sacred and Secular Along the Gospel Music Road
It might seem surprising to many people, but the world of black gospel music has always been paradoxical. The genre …
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Lessons from the Rev. Eddie Long Scandal
Public denunciations of homosexuality often mask private same-sex desire. Just ask Ted Haggart, Mark Foley, Larry Craig, Richard Curtis, and …
Politics and the Misuse of Langston Hughes
When I was writing my first book on African American religion in Chicago, I rediscovered Langston Hughes. His vivid depictions …
In Spite of It All.. A Glorious Easter
I went to church on Easter. This should not be remarkable news. After all, it was a beautiful day in …
Gays, God and Gospel Music
Without the artistic and emotional contributions of gay people there would be no gospel music. Throughout the middle decades of …
The 10 Best Gospel Songs: The Soul Of American Music
Gospel music is the most American of American music and the veritable soundtrack of black America. Born in the trauma …
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The Zimmerman Verdict and the Black Religious Left
Unlike many of my African American brothers and sisters, I did not attend church (with or without my “hoodie”) the …
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