Earlier this week, I posted a blog including some of my favorite books and resources if you’re wanting to learn more about the conversation around race in America. In addition to that, I have compiled a list of Happy Hour episodes below in which we discuss race, privilege, and kingdom perspective.
In the same vein, our friend of the show, Kathryn Freeman, hosts a podcast with Faitth Brooks called Melanated Faith and I cannot recommend it enough. It is a look at faith and culture and in a recent episode titled, Can I Live?, they discuss the killings of Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery and give suggestions for those interested in the church being a catalyst for racial justice. Go show them some love on their Instagram and subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen!
Friends, I hope you’ll make your way through these episodes with open ears and humble hearts that are ready to be challenged and encouraged.
Episodes
06.07.15 | Latasha Morrison, The Happy Hour #44
Latasha is the founder of Be the Bridge, reconciler, and fellow abolitionist. In this episode, we had a great time discussing the beginnings of our racial reconciliation group, and what the group has meant to both of us. I asked Latasha if she thinks sharing with my black children about racism is setting them up to just expect it, Latasha shares about what happened when she tried to incorporate black history month at her high school, and we go over how to go out and find some friends to have these healthy conversations with.
09.27.17 | Osheta Moore, The Happy Hour #160
Osheta Moore is an pastor’s wife, a mom of three kiddos, and the author of Shalom Sistas: Living Wholeheartedly in a Brokenhearted World. Osheta and I have a serious conversation about raising our black and biracial kids in a predominantly white area. We joke about it, and not in a disrespectful way, but in a way that we both get because we both live it. Osheta opens up about her own journey with being a black woman, and I was thankful for her honesty and willingness to be vulnerable.
04.25.18 | Jackie Hill-Perry, The Happy Hour #190
Jackie is a writer and artist whose work has been featured on such publications as the Washington Times and The 700 Club. Jackie and I begin the show talking about gospel diversity and the power of indifference. She describes how we can gain knowledge about the issues, but not take that knowledge and change how we live out our lives. The perspective she gives about the impact of indifference and inaction is powerful.
10.17.18 | Dorena Williamson, The Happy Hour #215
Dorena is the author of ColorFull, ThoughtFull and GraceFull, children’s books that celebrate God’s diverse kingdom. Dorena and I discuss the importance and value of having honest conversations about race, and recognizing the diversity of colors God created vs. being “colorblind”. We also talk about how we as parents should be the first voices to talk about race with our kids, and the different ways we can make this happen.
04.17.19 | Jada Edwards, The Happy Hour #241
Jada is a Bible teacher and discipler. She has committed her life to equip women of all ages, at all stages, with practical, biblical truth to help them live authentic and transparent lives. Jada and I start off the show talking about what reconciliation looks like when things are messy. We also dig into something we all need to examine in our hearts – are we maximizing someone else’s sin and minimizing our own?
10.02.19 | Latasha Morrison, The Happy Hour #265
Latasha is the founder of Be the Bridge, a non-profit organization equipping people to serve as ambassadors of racial reconciliation. She talks about the need to create “brave spaces” for conversation and how humility, listening, and leveraging privilege are critical. We also discuss how racial reconciliation is about having a Kingdom perspective on dignity and humanity. I loved how Latasha said, “we all have to be teachable” and that means opening our hearts, learning the historical context, and taking this on as all of our responsibility.
04.17.20 | Kathryn Freeman, Your Last Decade #16
Kathryn is an advocate, writer, lawyer and co-host of the podcast Melanated Faith. In this episode, we talk about her last 10 years, a decade serving as a press secretary for a state senator, and now preparing to finish seminary in 2021! What I loved most about my conversation with Kathryn was hearing the different ways she said yes to God, and how she has learned to sit in the uncertainty through trusting Him.
06.05.20 | Derek Minor, Your Last Decade #23
Derek has earned the title of veteran in the game not only as a rapper but also as a producer and businessman. In this episode, we chat about his last 10 years, starting his own record label, Reflection Music Group, his introduction to the white Evangelical church, and navigating the tightrope of being Black, Christian, and a Hip-Hop artist. He also shares transparently about his struggles in a predominantly white church during the shootings of Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, Philando Castile, and other Black men lost to police violence.
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