The legacy of Amendment T

A measure to remove a portion in Colorado’s state constitution that legalizes slavery for people who have been convicted of crimes was struck down during the last election. This means that a reference to slavery is still in that state’s constitution but a recount is possible.

About Colin Kaepernick and the National Anthem

When 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick did not stand for a recent playing of the National Anthem at a pre-season game, he set off a firestorm on social media. In fact, writes Jon Schwarz at The Intercept, the anthem is a celebration of slavery. From Schwarz re: the third verse of the song (which we never …

In last weeks’ reading of the Hebrew scriptures:

(As a reminder, I, the fundamentalist with Mad Bible Skills, have started re-reading the Bible, from Gen. 1, using a guide I loaded onto my phone. Obviously, people read the Bible and find different things. Here’s what I found last week:) I’m in the book of Exodus, where God has come down to tell Moses, Aaron and …

Why do we keep lying to children?

Sherry sends a story about Texas education policy, from the Washington Post. So, really: How do you teach the Civil War while only lightly touching on slavery? How many more generations will be taught that states’ rights — not slavery — was the issue? Because let me tell you, once those children grow up and …

No, race car fans. It’s not “political correctness” to lower the battle flag.

Instead, it’s noble, and both right and righteous to do so. When you try to defend your Confederate battle flag at Florida’s Daytona International Speedway this weekend, you came off looking dumb, and more than a little racist around the edges. I, too, was taught — until I was in high school, that is — …

Ta-Nehisi Coates is awesome

Last week, Ta-Nehisi Coates (that’s him in the center) came to Hartford to accept the Stowe Prize for Writing for Social Justice. Because I was on the search committee, I got to get right up close to him, his wife Kenyatta (black and white dress), and their 14-year old son (directly to her right), who …