Friday, March 23, 2012

Trayvon Martin, Race, and the Gospel

I came across this article on the desiring God website and I loved it. Read it here

Trayvon Martin, Race, and the Gospel

Friday, March 9, 2012

On Kony... From the High Society Blog

I follow the High Society Blog, and the front man, Sho Baraka wrote an amazing article on the whole Kony thing. I loved it. Please read:

Kony, Pharaoh and The Reconstruction

High Society is trying to develop an infrastructure that is committed to High Charity in service, dollars, prayers and advocacy. There are many things people can rally behind. The world is not short of problems and will never be short of problems. It takes a great bit of discernment, courage and energy to engage in protest or charity. Clive Staples Lewis provoked my spirit in Mere Christianity, when he stated:
“I do not believe one can settle how much we ought to give. I am afraid the only safe rule is to give more than we can spare. In other words, if our expenditure on comforts, luxuries, amusement, etc., is up to the standard common among those with the same income as our own, we are probably giving away too little.”

I recognized from this statement and from the teachings of Christ that we could never do enough charitable service. So, when this #Kony2012 video surfaced, my immediate response was sympathy, sadness, hurt and anger. I was not one bit shocked by the crimes. We live in a troubled world and will always live in a troubled world. I’ve also had some understanding of Invisible Children Inc. and the Machine Gun Preacher in the past, albeit limited. To many viewers this video can be overwhelming. To a few, it’s solely propaganda. But if you’re anything north of sane, then this documentary should shake up your worldview. Whether or not you cried or immediately donated money is not my concern. Yet, I would ask every human to consider how they could play a part in bringing justice to Kony and future Kony’s alike.

Nevertheless, I am really writing this piece because I have a different question entirely. It’s the question of “What if?” It seems as if Invisible Children Inc. has a wonderful strategy to remove the nefarious Joseph Kony, and I believe they have a heart and passion that is on track to create monumental change. This should be supported and applauded. But what if Kony is imprisoned, his Rebels are tried and the children are freed (if not tried themselves)? It’s been the age-old debate about liberation. What do we do with the oppressed? I believe this part of the movement has been somewhat overlooked. If you’re a student of history, you know with freedom comes its own set of difficulties.  But, liberation is not a privilege in today’s world, nor should it have ever been. It is a right. However, once he is removed, what will come of these children? What will become of a nation that has to engage the many brainwashed and abused kids?  In light of these obstacles, I would simply say that removing the warlord is only part of the solution.

To continue reading, click here