I enjoy camping throughout the United States. Outside of the members of my family, I am often the only African-American camping at these campsites throughout the nation. My neighbors are often white Americans, and based on our conversations, many of them are Republications. There is a certain respect and comradery among people who dare to brave the wilderness with their families every other weekend. Fortunately, neither I nor members of my family have been overtly subjected to raciest epithets including the N-Word. In these interracial, if not multicultural atmospheres, one can easily come to the conclusion that hate, racism and…
Author: Rev. Jason Curry
Many of us have recently heard about the tragic set of events that occurred last night in Manchester, England. According to various news reports, a suicide bomber killed himself as well as twenty-two additional people who were attending a music concert. Reporters have also stated that people under the age of eighteen years old where among those killed. Many more people were injured, and the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria or ISIS has claimed responsibility. Fear, anger and shock are among the emotions that have gripped the people of England, in particular, and people throughout the world, in general.…
The New Testament indicates that people often approached Jesus if they needed help or healing. The bible also indicates that Jesus would approach people needing help or healing. Indeed, people were greatly blessed by the miracles that took place in their lives. Apparently, it was against the law for people to be healed on the Sabbath. For example, Jesus helped a woman to stand erect (Luke 13:13); however, “the leader in charge of the synagogue was indignant that Jesus had healed her on the Sabbath day (Luke 13:14).” Also, Jesus helped a man who was lying down at a pool…
Whenever I board an airplane, I take the time listen to the flight attendant who is reviewing the safety instructions. When I was a bit younger, I was always shocked, confused and a bit irritated by one of the statements made by the attendant. As the plane was headed down the runway, he or she would say: “If you are traveling with a child, put the oxygen mask over your face first, then place the mask over your child’s face.” Any parent, mentor, surrogate parent, big brother or big sister who has taken care of a younger child, can think…
I’m raising two African-American young men. My oldest son attends a Historically Black College and my youngest son is enrolled in high school. One day, my youngest son said: “Dad, I’m walking to the library.” In typical teenage fashion, he walked out of the house, put on his earphones and his hood because it was cold outside. About thirty seconds after he left the house, I had a panic attack. I realized that both his hearing and his vision were partially impaired because of his earphones and hoodie. I thought: What if a random police officer, who was engaged in…