Thursday, October 22, 2009

The "New" Racism

Of course it's not new, but people are beginning to wake up to how poorly Hispanic ethnic groups are being treated in the USA. What troubles me the most is how often I hear "good Christians" using slurs or making statements like "they should go back to where they came from."

In my own perceptions, I have seen many, many more negative comments and actions against Hispanics than I have witnessed against Blacks. That's not a statistic as much as it is just a witness to the prevalence of racism against the Hispanic community.

In a special worship service led by a sister Hispanic church, I've watched white "Christians" folding their arms and saying, "This is ridiculous. Why are THEY leading worship here. They can't even speak our language!" Never mind that the mission money they sent went to help support this Hispanic church. Btw, the worship was awesome...and I have to admit that I told off the old lady who said the comment.

I've heard an unbelievable number of Hispanic "jokes." Seriously, why are these "acceptable" when our culture refuses the Black equivalent?

I hear all the time about the "Mexicans commiting crimes" near where I grew up. Right, and white people in Frankfort are model citizens.

Has the American people forgotten that we were all immigrants? Even the Native Americans are not native to this land. Since the continent split off millions of years ago, it has always been an open land, a free land, a place of new starts, and a hope for a new and better life. For ancient Europeans (it is thought they first discovered North America), for Native Americans, for European immigrants, and now for Hispanics, Indians, Africans, and everyone else. Apparently, we've learned little from our earlier fights...You know the ones where German-Americans were singled out for being Krauts. Or Irish immigrants fighting Italian immigrants. Or the established English looking down on everyone else.

Perhaps, we should look back into our history to find what makes us great...the infamous Melting Pot. Where we give and take culture. Where we borrow and share the best from each other. Where we learn to help out the foreigner in our land, because we too were a foreigner in a strange land.

Funny...I've heard that before: Exodus 22:21 says, "You must not mistreat or oppress foreigners in any way. Remember, you yourselves were once foreigners in the land of Egypt." A little bit later it also says, (23:9) "You must not oppress foreigners. You know what it's like to be a foreigner, for you yourselves were once foreigners in the land of Egypt."

Why do we never learn. Perhaps it's time for Americans to embrace each other. If you want to stop Illegal Immigration, don't attack the people coming in...Go after the US and Mexican governments that encourage the illegal trade of human labor. Go after the corporations that are illegally and unethically using cheap/slave labor.

But for the love of your own soul, treat our Hispanic brothers and sisters well.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Speedlinking

OK, I haven't done speedlinking in a while, but here we go...

  1. A look at "Spiritually Transmitted Diseases."
  2. Where the Wild Things Are can teach us about life & faith (thanks Kara).
  3. Something is wrong when 1 in 7 Latinas (young hispanic ladies) attempts suicide. What can we do to help prevent this?
  4. A new movie "Lord, Save Us from Your Followers" is coming out. It looks spectacular! I can't wait.
  5. I've long been an advocate against most copyright restrictions. From downloading music lawsuits to assinine footnoting, people have moved from a culture of attribution to lawsuits (when will we outlaw lawyers?). Here is a good article explaining why FREE is good!
  6. A funny one about pastors using news itmes for sermon fodder from Stuff Christians Like!
  7. An interesting book and review about Emerging Young Adults.

Soccer Dad

Isaiah just finished his first season of organized sports as soccer officially ended last night. I was very proud of the way he continued to learn the game. Most of all though it was good to see him get in there and get aggressive going after the ball, etc.

I also enjoyed coaching and hope to do it again next year!

Monday, October 12, 2009

TOM'S shoes

I'd heard about this a while ago, but I haven't seen anything about it in a while...Here is one of the greatest things to happen in a while. Not because it's saving lives, but the amount of care and dignity being offered. My favorite part is the young man (Tom?), hugging the little girl in the middle of the video...It becomes obvious in this moment that this is big human stuff. This is where Church thought should be taking us.




On the other hand, here is a spoof having some fun with the idea...gone bad!

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

He's Gonna Be a Socca' Playa'....He is...He iiiis...

OK, I never thought all that time of quoting Billy Madison to my wife's belly during her first pregnancy would actually bear fruit...but it has.

Isaiah is playing soccer and loving it! His first game, he was a bit shy, and he had trouble grasping that the ball wasn't meant to be touched with the hands. He wasn't very aggressive and wanted to stop early.

But by his second game, he was in there kicking, pushing, laughing, and screaming...all vital parts of the childhood soccer experience. I've been proud of the fact that each game he does a little bit better than the previous. Being his first organized sports experience, it's been a very interesting, entertaining, a pleasing life hurdle to watch as a parent .

As a coach, I've enjoyed being there for him and his team. I understand how parents get so wrapped up in the sports experience of their kids, but at the same time, I'm amazed at how serious some people are taking pee-wee soccer. Seriously, do we need to yell at kids for allowing a goal? And that's a grandparent! My #1 goal in this soccer experience has been to be a positive, encouraging male role model for the kids as they are first entering the world of organized sports.

Who knew it would be this fun? I love it that Isaiah is glad that I'm his coach. I love to be out there helping kids experience a big milestone in their lives.

This goes to show...Billy was right all along!