(Image: Paweł Czerwiński)
#KamalaHarris is energizing quite a few “minority” intersections within the electorate as #JoeBiden’s VP pick.
She’s a woman and an HBCU graduate (Howard University). She’s also “Black” (Jamaican), “Asian” (Indian) and “Greek”...and by “Greek”, we mean she’s a member of a Greek-lettered organization. In addition to the ethnic and educational diversity Harris brings to the Biden ticket, her membership in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc (AKA) is also a major selling point amongst some minority voters. As the first Black Greek-lettered organization (BGLO), AKA has strong ties in the Black community as well as in the wider political, business, and even religious arenas.
Yet, a growing number of Christians are renouncing their membership in this organization and other BGLOs. But why?
Find out in this Relevant Replay as we revisit our season 1 interview with Lily J, who renounced her letters in AKA after she became a Believer in Christ. Available on all major podcast streaming platforms.
At the age of 65 with millions in the bank, Scott Adams has reached a point in his life where he just doesn’t give a hoot!
Creator of the popular, albeit now widely canceled, ‘Dilbert’ comic strip and the author of nine books, Adams has what he calls “[bleep] you money”. During a 2019 interview with VLAD TV, Adams shared that he has four times over the amount of money needed to be financially set for the rest of his days. While he has no desire to quit working, he admitted that with the amount of money he has, he very well could, and he could tell his bosses, or anyone else with financial control over him, exactly how he feels on his way out.
This perhaps explains Adams’ now viral, racist tirade during which he called Black Americans a “hate group”.
On today’s episode, host Veritéetfeu discusses Tom Buck’s "Jezebel" tweet and when/if using the term “Jezebel” is ever necessary or beneficial.
*This episode contains infrequent use of mild to moderate language. Listener discretion is advised.*
#KamalaHarris is energizing quite a few “minority” intersections within the electorate as #JoeBiden’s VP pick.
She’s a woman and an HBCU graduate (Howard University). She’s also “Black” (Jamaican), “Asian” (Indian) and “Greek”...and by “Greek”, we mean she’s a member of a Greek-lettered organization. In addition to the ethnic and educational diversity Harris brings to the Biden ticket, her membership in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc (AKA) is also a major selling point amongst some minority voters.
Host Veritéetfeu discusses civil rights activist Shaun King’s recent call to remove all depictions of “white Jesus” and why she's seriously thinking about revoking her own "Black Card".
Anytime the world experiences the unfortunate consequences of sin or the effects of its fallen state, one of the first questions posed is, “Where is the Church?” :
As a Christian, it’s tempting to be flattered by this inquiry, as one could surmise it means the world actually cares for our input. But, considering the world is also quick to tell the Church to “shut up” whenever we do speak, I perceive “Where is the Church?” is meant to be more of a scoff than an invitation.
Fast forward to today, when the national and global discourse concerns not only racism, but “systemic racism”, “police brutality”, and so forth. With the ongoing protests, marches and civil unrest since the death of George Floyd, “Where is the Church?” has rang out yet again! But this query is not only coming from those in the world. Professing Christians are also posing this question, and they are indignant in their demand for a response.
To be fair, wherever the Church is falling short, it is necessary for us to hold one another accountable to ensure we remain on task with what God would have us do. But that’s just it: Oftentimes, “Where is the Church?” comes not because the Church is altogether missing or silent in the things of God, but because the Church isn’t in the places the world would have us go or speaking the words the world would have us speak. And, frankly, I’m afraid there is a growing trend among some in the Church to hold the Body of Christ to these lesser, earthly standards. Sadly, in an increasing number of cases, these standards are actually panning out to be unbiblical and atheistic. (Critical Race Theory, Marxism, and Black Liberation Theology have entered the chat.)
But if they truly want to know where they can find the Church in the midst of earthly affairs, I hope the foregoing is a sufficient response. I also offer this piece as an encouragement to those in the Body who choose to set our eyes on things above, not on things of the earth (Colossians 3:2).
While reflecting on the Black Lives Matter movement, host Veritéetfeu works through a few unrefined thoughts to and about the Black community, the Church + the Police.
Last weekend, a friend and I visited the Museum of the Bible to take in an exhibit entitled “A Balm in Gilead”. Admittedly, I didn’t do my due diligence to research the event before purchasing my ticket. I simply thought it was a gospel concert given the affair largely boasted of performances by the Howard University Gospel Choir and Fisk University’s Jubilee Singers.
Now, speaking of the performances, the choirs were phenomenal! They had hymns, they had range, they had rhythm, and they had me clapping and singing along.
But as for the rest of the event? They simply had a lot of nerve!
“Social justice” is a term often thrown around, but very rarely defined, explained or even clearly understood in daily discourse. Yet a clear definition of this concept is necessary because there is indeed a such thing as social justice - and then there is justice. Contrary to popular delusion, there is a difference between the two, for if they were indeed one and the same, the term “justice” would be sufficient. No qualifier or modifier would be necessary. But I've found that most often conflate these two concepts, which causes much confusion, contention and debate amongst Believers regarding our charge as Christians. One might argue that it’s just semantics, but I’d passionately beg to differ. And I am sincerely alarmed when professed Christians not only claim “social justice” is what the Body of Christ is charged to pursue, but that they’d dare argue it’s what Jesus preached or supported during His earthly ministry.
I truly appreciated the diversity I witnessed at The Gospel Coalition’s Women’s Conference this year. Granted, this was the first TGC conference I’ve ever attended, so I’m not sure what the attendee and speaker demographics looked like in years past. But I was honestly blessed to see women of a myriad of backgrounds all up and through that place - speaking on the main stage, facilitating workshops, walking through the halls, leading praise and worship, checking in at registration, volunteering - all over. I saw a beautiful tapestry of women who varied in age, ethnicity, marital and parental status, education and vocation, ministries, and time in Christ. Yet, as I basked in the beauty of the diversity in the sisters around me, ironically, I found myself quite disturbed by an event the conference held for women of color.
Black Panther did well to bring black representation to the big screen, and I was delighted to see men and women who look like me playing roles that weren't of the “thug” or “slave” variety. Black despondence nor dejection were on the menu for this film, and I am 100% here for it. I’m also here for the diversity this film brings to media and entertainment. As far as film productions go, Black Panther was quality all around, and I sincerely believe it is Oscar-worthy. It really was THAT good!
But as other moviegoers across social media have shared their feedback on the film these past few days, the hype has reached a level that has caused me concern for my people - my Family in Christ.
In this guest feature, contributor Lily J shares how her faith in Christ led her to renounce her membership in the historically Black Greek letter organization Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. As she says, this piece is a long one, so get comfy!
“I used to be a member of AKA but renounced my letters back in 2016. I posted about it on Facebook & IG last year, and I think it’s important to continue to share my testimony with more people, especially since so many of my friends and associates are greek, some of whom are fellow Christians as well, but seem convinced that this was just a personal choice I made simply for me to honor God, based on my personal preferences but has no impact on them or in their lives.
“Today I want to tell you that it’s not this simple. This wasn’t something God called me to and only me. If you are a Christian, we are all called to assess where our salvation stands and whether it is being jeopardized or at stake with any of our affiliations and associations, so if me speaking on this topic again keeps just one from perishing, if it sets one more free, then it is worth me continuously repeating.”
~ Lily J, www.mylifeaslily.com