Radical Islam and Christian Privilege

Am I the only one who finds it upsetting to hear stories on CNN, FOXNews and MSNBC, talk about Radical Islam? I mean, I study religion, and I know that there have been way more Radical Christians out there. Don't take this as an attack on Christianity, I "used to be" Christian (I'm currently exploring Unitarian Universalism) and I'm currently pursuing a Master of Divinity from a Methodist seminary. With that said, why is there never any talk about Radical Christians? I'll tell you why. Because America is a country of Christian Privilege. Thats right Christian Privilege. Think about the "National" Holidays, and their proximity to Christian holidays. I'm not indicting Christianity. I just think its weird that Muslims are "Radical", while Christians are "Fundamentalists". Something to think about.

Breaking the Silence...

And so it seems that I return to my blog for a couple of reasons. The first, there are a number of people who have recently created blogs, and I must compete. Its in my nature. Besides that, however, there is a more legitimate reason: Chris Brown and Rihanna. I know that everyone and their mama has an opinion on the goings on between those two, however, I'd like to offer something a bit different in my analysis of the situation. So lets get to it.

Most people start here either with an exposition on how Chris Brown is awful and things of that nature, or how Rihanna is ruining her life by staying here, or even how Rihanna is ruining Chris Brown's career. While the latter is extremely ridiculous (he hit here, therefore he "ruined" his career), I'm going to ignore this whole thing. I mean, the blame lies on Chris, he allegedly hit her, no matter what degree of provocation she may have used for him to do it. But, the judgment on what happened does not fall into my lap, but into the courts (I can't help but think that some people thought I was going to say God. Why is America, despite its declining belief in Christianity a country that constantly tries to spiritualize everything? Random, I know.) So before I get myslef further entrenched in a topic I wasnt going to discuss, let me move on.

Many of you may be wondering "If you're not going to place a judgment on the case then why should we read this?" Well, to answer you, I said I wasn't going to judge Chris Brown, or Rihanna. I'm going to judge our society. There are some major issues in our society and this case with Chris Brown and Rihanna, bring light to them. One of them is that we hold celebrities to an incredibly high standard. While I personally believe that people in the limelight should operate under the assumption that they are always watched, I'm old enough to realize that celebrities are human and they screw up at times. So do we "regular folk". Its really a matter of how we react to the situation. Chris gave the stereotypical response: flowers, candy, diamonds, and apologies. Who can fault the guy for thinking this would work? He's only 19, which leads to my next topic.

An incredible amount of stress anguish and pressure have been put on a 19 and 20 year old. Some may say that they are celebrities and should know how to act in the public eye, but we must not forget the way in which these celebrities have grown up. From 16 onward, Chris Brown has been lauded as the best R&B artist out (although I could easily argue against it). Society has placed Chris Brown on a pedestal because of his talent and its always tough when an artist falls from grace. Especially when its happens as quickly as it has for Chris Brown. With that said, I must, in many ways, commend Rihanna in this whole thing. People have commented about how seeing Chris Brown in court was sad to see. But let us not forget that before everything became extremely public, there was just word that Chris Brown had assaulted a woman. Seemingly overnight, the hazy details became clear and we became privy to the information that the woman was Rihanna. Then, because of some guys screw up, the pictures from the police report became public. Still throughout it all, Rihan--, actually Robin has been incredibly strong and displayed incredible courage and elegance throughout this endeavor which, with the incredible involvement of the media, is admirable to say the least. Which leads me to them: The Media.

I am amazaed still that this story has gotten so much airtime. First the media couldn't believe what was going on, and broke the story so that all the world would hear. Then when it was finally known that Robin was the woman, there was an uproar with mixed reactions. Some didnt believe her and thought she was trying to ruin Chris' career (yeah, thats believable) and others just as upset at Chris Brown, with little or no regard to the woman whom he had hit...allegedly. In a matter of days, the media had swarmed the story and everyone and their mama had some sort of advice for the star-emblazoned couple. Here's why I have not said anything in the way of what the two of them should do: ITS NOT MY BUSINESS! I mean, honestly, I can say all I want what I think they should do, but if my knowledge serves me correctly, neither of them have asked me my thoughts on what they should do, so why should I just volunteer my opinion to them and then have the nerve to be upset when its not followed? For those who don't know Robin asked the judge to allow her boyfriend to see her while they were going through the court proceedings, and everyone was upset. I think its not only her business but smart. Its clear the two of them, at the very least, have some feelings for the other. So why would she not want to see her boyfriend so that they could work it out? I doubt everything, in terms of their relationsip, is immediately going to go back to the way it was, but if it does, the key thing to remember is that its THEIR relationship. Not America's. Rapper Drake has a line at the end of the Barry Bonds Freestyle on his "Comeback Season" mixtape and it goes "Keep your two cents, I ain't tryna leave you broke". Wise words that we should follow.

Finally, probably my biggest problem with this whole thing. As a result of Chris Brown allegedly assaulting Rihanna, everyone and their mama (in this case, the mama is Oprah) wants to do a show focused on Domestic Violence. Where the hell were all these shows before this? BET (whom I truly disdain from the bottom of my soul) is dedicating some time on 106 & Park towards domestic violence. First of all BET, I dont know what makes you think you're qualified to hold a show on domestic violence when you couldn't even properly handle a dispute between the male host and female host of your flagship show 106 & Park. In fact, after Terrance had verbally abused Rocsi, you sent both of them on a vacation, allowed Terrance to continue to verbally abuse her through the end of the week (when there was a guest host, he made a comment about not having to worry about the guest host having an attitude), and then made him give some sad apology accompanied by, oh what do you know, flowers. In fact, I think I now know where Chris Brown got his apology idea from. All in all, what I'm saying is this: Domestic violence should not become an issue because Chris Brown allegedly hits Rihanna. It should be an issue because for all the woman who are subject to the abuse but not platinum recording artists, their voices need to be heard as well. In fact, the irony of this whole thing is that here at Emory, I've heard some people say they will boycott Chris Brown's music from now on, which I'm completely cool with. But when I push them further and say, "why not attend the Vagina Monologues, an event where the proceeds goes towards women of Domestic Violence?", the response is that they don't have time, or don't see how that would connect.

Maybe now, we can understand that domestic violence is a raceless, classless epidemic. Maybe now, we can take a stand. But for the sake of all that is right, lets not break our silence (kind of like I did) because Chris Brown hit Rihanna...allegedly.

For more information about V-Day, a Global Movement to end Domestic Violence and also where the Vagina Monlogues in umbrella'd (no pun intended) under click here.

New stuff coming soon!!

Its been a while since I've posted something and some of you make think that I've just shirked The Redmond Report. Just a quick note that I havent. I'm still adjusting to this whole graduate school thing. I'm probably going to cut back to once a week and probably on Fridays, so watch out for an entry soon!!!

Racism Still Alive We just been concealing it....

On Nov. 4th, 2008, Barack Hussein Obama was elected the 44th President of the United States of America. A Black Man was elected President in a nation that still lives with the wounds and memory of slavery. While this is a historic moment in our nation's history, we must realize that the work put in to elect Barack Obama as President must not end! There are still battles to be fought, still wrongs to right. We must not think for one single moment that because he is elected President, all of the problems of the world will magically disappear. That is not the case. We must not think for one single moment that because he is elected President, the world is a much better place. That is not the case. Most importantly, we must not fall into the trap of thinking, for ONE SINGLE MOMENT, that because is elected President, racism does not exist. THAT IS NOT THE CASE!!

I am a very proud 2008 graduate of Colgate University. I will hold, forever, that it is one of the best institutions of higher education in America. However, occurrences at Colgate a week ago, let us all know that Racism is still alive. Last week, a student found disgustingly racist remarks in a bathroom in Colgate's Alumni Hall. When I first heard that someone wrote a racist remark, I was upset, but I (like most people) assumed that the person wrote "nigger" and continued on their racist way. However, I received pictures last night of what exactly was written. Needless to say, I was heartbroken. After reading what was written and carved into the bathroom, there had to be more than one person involved. For them to have the time to write "No Nigger will ever rule the White House", "Lynch them all", "They were born to be slaves and serve white people bout time for them to start doing it again", and "South will rise again", indicates that they had plenty of time to think and write and reflect (although they did not proofread).

As a graduate of Colgate University, I am outraged. As a Black Man, I am outraged. As a former leader at Colgate, I am outraged. I am not the only one who shares in this outrage. There are a number of students, alumni, faculty, and staff who are outraged. While that outrage is important and definitely well-founded, outrage is an emotion. What I'm getting at here is a very simple question: where is the action? Colgate is a very good institution, however, the students (and the university as a whole), are extremely sheltered. So when something like this occurs and there needs to be a response on the part of the students, the first inclination is to ask for permission or get approval to respond.

Colgate as an institution has a pretty clear history of what happens when something of this magnitude occurs. In 1969, members of the Association for Black Collegians held a sit-demanding an cultural living center. From their demands, both the HRC and ALANA cultural center were created. In 2001, when Colgate professor Barry Shain (who is still a member of the faculty) made incendiary remarks in an email to a black female student, that black students took easier courses, and that liberal-minded professors were easier on black students, there were meetings and then there were sit-ins.

So what is the major difference between those events and the events of last week? ACTION! I commend the current Colgate students for what they have done thus far. It's easy for me as an Alumni to sit here and say what I would have done if I were there, but until thrust into that situation there's no telling. And while, I know that we as Alumni support you all, I'm hesitant to make this an Alumni event of sorts. I say that in order to convey to current students that we as Alumni cannot overtake your experience. You are at Colgate right now. You are the future of that institution and of this country. And you do not need permission from anyone (administration or alumni) to express your feelings in whatever way you see fit!

Let me repeat that: YOU DO NOT NEED PERMISSION FROM ANYONE (ADMINISTRATION OR ALUMNI) TO EXPRESS YOUR FEELINGS!!!!

Some may ask, well, what are your demands from these protests? And while you may very well come up with demands later on or have them now, the reasoning is very simple: Some people got together and decided that writing racist remarks in a bathroom was a good idea and disrupted my day, education, life, so I want them to be just as disrupted by my presence despite their actions. That's what protest is about. Its not about appeasement, its about discomfort. And from that discomfort, reaching a place of coexistence.

Considering where we have come from in our nation's history, I think most major pundits are erroneously correct when they say that as a result of Barack Obama's selection, "we have come full circle". Instead of doing a 180 and having some change, we are back, in many ways, to where we started. The only way to effect change is to continue fighting. As the fight song indicates, Fight fight fight for Dear Old Colgate. But most importantly, FIGHT FOR YOURSELF!!

Sarah Palin and Tall

After about a month long hiatus, I have finally gotten a breather to blog again. Clearly from the title, my aim is Republican Vice Presidential Nominee Sarah Palin, the current governor of Alaska. In a very transparent move to try and woo the disgruntled Hilary voters, John McCain decided to "pick up" Sarah Palin as a running mate. Now the question of why I have pick up in quotations may arise, so let me explain. In "pick-up" basketball, there is really no thought process involved in choosing who will be on your team. You simply choose someone based on their physical appearance at the time. While I'm sure Palin's physical appearance as a "milf" did not play any factor in her being chosen, to John McCain she was the best looking player on the team at the time. She has undoubtedly energized the Republican base (well, at least about two weeks ago she did) and brought in a very interesting dynamic to the race. In one sweeping motion, John McCain has single-handedly removed himself from the race for President. The two major characters of this campaign are Barack Obama and Sarah Palin and while some joke that McCain will not survive his first-year in office, it is remarkable how quickly he has become an afterthought in the campaign.

So why the title? Why the play on the Patricia McLachlan children's book? Well, quite simply, Sarah Palin is plain. There is nothing remarkable about her outside of her newfound celebrity "milf" status and her down-right ignorant view of the world. To believe that her experience as Mayor of Wasilla, Alaska where the biggest event to come before her was the debate over the installation of a new skating facility. Compared to Barack Obama's experience as a community organizer on the Southside of Chicago, where he dealt with issues facing the actual livelihood of people, not their forms of entertainment.

And thats what Sarah Palin has become for a number of people: a form of entertainment. Tina Fey's SNL spoof was by far one of the funniest things I have ever witnessed, and I had the common sense to have the sound up, unlike some VP candidates. Her foreign policy credentials are sub-par at best. Barack Obama did a major tour around Europe and even gave a speech in front of thousands. Palin met with nine foreign dignitaries (one of whom was Bono) in New York City. My best friend, Gabby, is meeting with the President of Iran today. In New York City. Is she more qualified than Palin to run for VP or even President? (My honest answer to this question is yes. She's truly amazing) John McCain has run himself out of the race. Its apparent that even his own voters are more energized by his running-mate than him. Should we sit around and wait for John McCain to die, in order to reenergize the country via a VP pick who's presidency, as so eloquently put by Matt Damon (aka, Jason Bourne, who definitely has more foreign policy experience than Palin), would be "like a really bad Disney movie"? I think Walt is rolling over in his grave.

Musings on Change and Christianity

You got to make that change man
Cuz they don't come too often
And when they do come
You gotta be smart enough to know when to change
Like Sam Cooke say change gon' come nephew
And you better believe that
-Snoop Dogg in John Legend's "I Can Change"

I know that it has been a while since I last blogged, but as many of you know I'm making the move down to Atlanta tomorrow (CRAZY!!) . While I've been packing my things and reminiscing about my time at Colgate, I have continuously thought about the concept and idea of change. While I've been thinking about change, the quote by Snoop Dogg popped into my head. I never thought I'd be quoting Snoop in my blog but you never know when the quote fits. With that said, undoubtedly, the biggest change and challenge I am going to experience. First off, I'm moving to Atlanta. While I am definitely excited, I have been in upstate New York, for four year. I have been in the Northeast and exposed to the liberal ideologies which pretty much have had a huge impact on my thinking. So, going to the stereotypically conservative South is a major change that I will have to get used to. While the move is huge, I think the education that I am going for is probably going to be the most challenging part of this whole thing, so the remainder of this blog post will be dedicated to my thoughts on that and the Change I think necessary both within myself and in my prospective field. With change, though, you have two options, get run over or adapt. So like Snoop says, I'm gonna be smart enough to adapt.

Most of you know I'm going for my Masters of Divinity at Candler which is a great school. There are leading scholars that will definitely provide with the in-depth education necessary to be a leading scholar in the field of religion. But the decision to attend Candler does not come without some reservations. My biggest concern, as I have told Gabby numerous times, is that I am far too liberal for the degree I am pursuing. I have very liberal ideas about religion and Christianity and I believe they may conflict with the thoughts of many of my classmates (if you know me, you know what I'm talking about).

Outside of my liberal ideologies, I also believe that there may be some major contention between myself and so-called Evangelicals. In fact, I find myself to be totally antithetical to Evangelical ideas. In many ways, they scare me. If you've ever seen Jesus Camp , then you can understand part of what I mean. I have somewhat of a problem with a political Evangelical lobby as I believe that it directly violates the separation of church and state, as well as perpetuate a staggering dependence on Christian privilege that America has developed.

Therefore, so I don't sound like someone who complains all the time without offering a solution, I will attempt to explain some of my thoughts. First off, I feel that Christianity is offered as an option to any and everyone, but I don't feel that I have to approach people and tell them that they can be saved today. Since I use a lot of sports analogies, I'll use one here to further explain. When you're on a team, there are two types of leaders. There are the leaders who are always yelling and telling you what to do and essentially marginalize members of the team. When that happens the team gets divided and nobody accomplishes anything. On the other hand, there are leaders who lead by example. People who do everything right and people approach that person and they pull a team and country together. I imagine myself as one of the latter type of Christian leaders. So I would rather have someone approach me and ask me about my faith than to go and proclaim it to someone who may have an abject opinion of it after talking to me.

Secondly, I feel that Christianity's biggest message should be that of love for fellow humans. I feel that Christianity has a pretty bad habit of judging many different people who don't fit the traditional mold. In my life, I have met some very interesting people who I might not have met if I had prejudged them. So in my opinion love for fellow man should be a guiding principle for Christians.

Finally, my major point of contention is my personal belief that sin is equal. I feel like sometimes there are people who say that homosexuals are such a bad thing, but are cheating on their wives. People who condemn someone as a sinner and ignore there own sins. I feel that if people would consider themselves sinners as well, this world would be a little more compassionate and a little more understanding.

Well, as many of you can see, my idea of Christianity is a little more progressive than most. We'll see how it plays out once I get down there. But since I like feedback. I know many of you have an opinion on religion and Christianity and I want to hear your perspectives. So, thoughts?


P.S--Some people might find the picture above offensive. I'm sorry if it does. But I feel like, If you can't laugh at yourself a little, then you are missing out on life.

NaS' Masterpiece

About a week and a half ago, I became the owner of one of the greatest hip hop albums ever. Trust me when I say that I am not exaggerating. Nasty NaS makes a triumphant return with this politically-charged, controversy-laden polemic set to incredible beats. Everytime I listen to this album I get goosebumps. It has the feel of Hip-Hop is Dead, but its more raw. It has more emotion in it. Needless to say, NaS really brings it in this album but doesnt get the credit he deserved. Unlike a certain artist who sold "A Milli" on incredible hype and codeine-laced lyrics, NaS actually takes a stand against adversaries Bill O'Reilly and Fox News in both song and petition. In a time where we are on the cusp of our first Black President, but still at war and in need of a "Hero", NaS comes through like the Dark Knight.

I am somewhat upset at the media uproar over NaS' decision to change the title of the album from Nigger. I think there was, in many ways, an infringement upon his freedom to artistically express himself. I really dont believe, after listening to the album nonstop, that NaS attempted to title it nigger because he does a very good job at attempting to rewire the thinking behind the word. His album does not limit the term to simply black people but all oppressed people. I mean, there was not nearly as much of an uproar when Randall Kennedy published his book titled Nigger. It also does the same thing in trying to "defang" the word. Your thoughts?