This week's Wrap was guest curated by Sojourners contributor and Associate Professor at American Baptist Seminary of the West Dr. Valerie Miles-Tribble. Read along for her top stories and notes from the week — and catch up on her latest for Sojourners here.
In the aftermath of a week of horrific killings, America is still reeling. This has given rise to my wonder about how America’s ideological, theological, and political upheaval may appear to the world. Here are 10 views that no doubt the world has witnessed. I hope they also inspire us to action.
1. The Story Behind the Striking Photo of a Woman Standing with Armed Police in Baton Rouge
Leshia Evans, young mother to a 5-year-old son, stood in regal, almost Matrix-like serenity seconds before Baton Rouge police in full riot gear arrest her. The moment was caught by a Reuters photographer as protests continue over the death of Alton Sterling.
2. Something More Is Required of Us—What?
Civil rights attorney and author Michelle Alexander asks this country to consider what, structurally, must change. “I no longer believe that we ‘fix’ the police, as though the police are anything other than a mirror reflecting back to us the true nature of our democracy.”
3. The Problem We All Live With: Bearing Witness, But Never Finding Justice
Emilie Townes, womanist ethicist and dean of Vanderbilt, challenges all to step back and look at our selves as a society that allows violence and power hoarding to proliferate.
4. ‘Shut It Down’ Rally in Oakland
This NBC photo series captures images from the justice rally in Oakland, Calif., to protest unethical police actions. The front line of the rally was clergy-led — including yours truly! — because we believe that prophetic protest is public theology.
5. Giving in to Islamophobia Means Giving Into ISIS
Sojourners president Jim Wallis challenges us to parse tragic acts of violent hatred globally. ISIS negatively impacts people of all faiths, including Christians. Rather than presume all Muslims are dangerous, Wallis suggested ways we can defeat Islamophobia when we can stand in inter-religious solidarity with others in our human family.
6. After the Shootings, Dallas Clergy will Pray, Then Advocate for Change
Rev. Freddie Haynes and other Dallas clergy exemplify the love of Christ through prayer and petition for peace in the midst of loss of police officers to sniper gunfire.
7. Black Christian Leaders Voice Anger, Lament over Deaths of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile
Clergy across the country express sentiments and share prophetic faith responses to the societal chasm in this country that continues also to rupture our faith.
8. Istanbul and the Empathy gap: Why was the West’s response muted compared to Paris or Brussels
Jalal Baig, a Chicago physician, shares clinical perspective on the Western phobia that fuels a gap in empathy when tragedy struck Istanbul: America is troubled by “the emergence of xenophobic and nativist sentiments” that cast Musims as “purveyors of terrorism and not deserving of sympathy — even though the violence of ISIS has claimed more Muslim lives than western ones.”
9. America’s Policing Problem is Global
Activist Kathy Kelly asserts that America has earned a global bully reputation that distorts the opinions of other diplomats, as they watch whether or not America can stem excessive internal violence upon its own and resolve its internal peace problems.
10. Three Countries Issue Travel Warnings About Visiting the US
This week, travel warnings to the U.S. were issued by the Bahamas, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates because of concerns for potential violence to their citizens of color.
Rev. Valerie Miles-Tribble (@CantBeStill) is associate professor of ministerial leadership and practical theology for the American Baptist Seminary of the West.
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