Black Liberation Theology

I remember back when I was freelancing in NE Ohio, playing Principal Horn with the Akron Symphony. We did this annual outreach benefit concert that was an outrageous success every year. It was called "Gospel Meets Symphony." I remember being completely blown away by the incredible power of the energy onstage.

I was raised Methodist in a wonderful church in Cincinnati. It was a great church to grow up in, and I'll always be thankful for my roots there. As I've grown spiritually through the years, I've delved into many versions of Christianity: UCC, Presbyterian, non-denominational fundamentalist (yes, it's true!) and Pentecostal, in reverse order. After much angst-filled soul searching, I happily came home to the Unitarians - a place that embraces and freely welcomes anything and everything.

Okay, so, back to the Gospel concert. I remember being there on that stage, feeling the pulse and vibrancy of the 300+ voice gospel choir, witnessing the unfettered joy of its members as they cried out and sang with spinetingling resonance. The choir's irrepressable joy, the gorgeously rich jazz chords from the Steinway grand, the unmistakeable texture added by the Hammond organ, the rhythmic explosion of the drum set (played by a ridiculously hot brother who I had a mini-crush on), and the synergy of the whole 85 piece orchestra - what a synthesis of talent. It was overwhelmingly powerful.

I remember being so blown away by this particular version of Christianity, very unlike many of the others I had experienced. The emotions weren't based on fear (believe or you'll go to hell), guilt (you're a sinner, so you'd better be grateful for Jesus's ransom), superiority (God only accepts Christians into heaven, so obviously it's the best religion), or intolerance (of homosexuality, feminism, interracism, sexuality in general, etc.).

The focus was very simple, and very different. The message was about healing, of defying convention and expressing your joy and energy and letting it all out unselfconsciously. About finding strength in the midst of oppression. Of sadness, of trials and tribulations, of immense suffering, slavery and bondage. These are issues which much of the black community knows all too intimately. When you consider that it's been less than 60 years since the shameful Jim Crow laws were in effect - that there are still human beings walking this earth who remember legalized segregation - it makes logical sense that this group would still be feeling the impact of such treatment. I cringe whenever I hear my white peers say things like, "why should they get special treatment?" How about retributive treatment? Affirmative action can't logically be "special" or seen as an "advantage over" another race unless everyone has, at the very least, adequate resources, educative opportunities, well-funded schools, low-crime living environments, and role models to burgeon aspirations for better lives. How can you achieve it if you can't even envision it?

I remember feeling so incredibly lucky to be on that stage, with all of these new people, experiencing all of these new (to me) feelings and approaches to religion. I learned by listening to this great story on Terry Gross's Fresh Air (NPR) that such a Christianity that focuses on empowerment, reversing oppression, and finding strength in the midst of intense difficulty is called Black Liberation Theology.

Now that is a cause I can get behind.

Judging others as bad, going to hell, or otherwise religiously/politically inferior does not ultimately uplift the spirit or do much good for anyone. Much of what is in the Bible doesn't really do it for me either most of the time. But focusing on Jesus's radical message, his persistence in saying it even when the majority didn't want to hear it, his persecution and suffering at the hands of those who didn't want the oppressed to be empowered, and how his message of acceptance, love, and compassion transcends even his brutal murder...that makes sense to me. That is relevant.

While I would never try to claim kinship with the experiences of African Americans (I acknowledge that I grew up with white privilege), I find the concepts of healing suffering, overcoming adversity, social justice, compassion and acceptance, and equality to be incredibly relevant and compelling. If I had to pick a church that had a specifically Christian focus, one that celebrates Black Liberation Theology might be it.

But as it stands, I'm perfectly at home with the Unitarians! ;)

Benny's having a growth spurt

Ooooooooooog.

So Benny is going through a growth spurt, which means that after several nights of sleeping "through the night" (7-8 hour stretches) he's suddenly getting up every 2-3 hours in the night to eat ravenously. We had been spoiled, and this is a rude awakening. (Make that several rude awakenings.) During these feedings he is so voracious you'd've thought he'd never eaten in his life. He's eating 5 ounce bottles regularly now (he was satisfied before with 3.5-4 ounces for several consecutive weeks). We're going to have to buy bigger bottles!

Of course this is good news, because it means that he's growing even faster than inflation and the national deficit. It seems like yesterday that we had to scramble to find preemie sized (up to 7 pounds) clothes, and now he fits snugly into 3 month clothes. Last night I had him dressed in a long-sleeved Baby Gap onesie and some socks, which finally fit his adorable chubby little feet. I hadn't looked at his bare legs in a while (he's been staying toasty in sleepersuits) and I couldn't believe how well they've filled out.

It is, however, slightly daunting from a nursing perspective. With the exception of the occasional added ounce or half ounce of formula to round off a bottle when necessary (we're still working on the first small "trial size" can that came in the mail for free), I'm breastfeeding exclusively. I have to admit, it's really neat to think about him continuing to grow from my body, even outside of the womb. He's never been sick; gotta love those antibodies! I just have to trust, just like the last few growth spurts, that my body will adjust to provide him with what he needs. Now that I have a history of success in this area I'm not worried.

Mooooooooo......

An honest question...

I truly do not understand the need for delegates (and the electoral college, for that matter) in our democratic process. It seems to me that they both undermine the democratic process. Why vote when others are going to do it for you?

I really honestly want to know why they are necessary. Am I missing something here? Isn't an individual vote count enough? Why don't we trust American citizens to make decisions all by themselves?

Cooling down my hot head

Okay, I have to stop and breathe here for a minute.

I apologize for the vehemence and over-opinionation of my last post and particularly my response to BigRedEO's comment. This primary election is the most heated and hotly contested one that I have ever seen (or been aware or interested enough to notice) in my life, and I have to admit that I have gotten overly involved emotionally.

The good news is that Democrats are energized, that there are two incredibly viable candidates neither of whom are white males, and change is in the air no matter who wins the ticket.

Tonight I went to my Buddhist study and meditation group at my church and we discussed the precept for "right speech", which means carefully evaluating what you're saying and how you say it to make sure it's not harmful. I am very passionate about Hillary, and I will be extremely disappointed if she loses the ticket; but that does not excuse my bad-mouthing Obama and making fun of him. I do stand by my deep concerns for his inexperience and lack of ability/strategy, but I don't need to be calling him names or being sarcastic. And some of my emails/blog comments/conversations with Obama supporters have been hostile and otherwise angry and judgmental. I apologize openly to all I may have offended.

Phew. {*exhales*} I feel better now. It's not good for me to get too emotionally wrapped up in things that are so largely outside of my control (another Buddhist concept). My happiness and peace of mind is just a breath away...it is all in my mind. Breathe in, breathe out...

HILL-A-RY!! HILL-A-RY!! (jumping up and down)

Yay!!!

After being disappointed by Wisconsin's bahama mama Obama-rama last month, I am proud to see that my dear home state of Ohio did not fail me! Hillary is my GIRL!!

I find it hilarious that Barack's slogan, "Yes We Can", is also the mantra of the kid's show "Bob The Builder". Hmm....

Much more presidential:

Yes SHE can!

And I believe: Yes, she WILL!!!

Man! I haven't been this excited since Al Gore won the 2000 vote. I'm even more excited now!!

Okaybye, I have to go bounce off the walls now.