Celebrating culture and Black History Month
Great books to read list and powerful shows to see
Hi Religion Unplugged readers,
In the final week of Black History Month, we want to highlight some of our recent stories on culture and the Black experience.
First is a great list of six books from Executive Editor Clemente Lisi that detail the Black experience with a connection to faith — including mentions of Malcolm X’s biography and more. From earlier in the month, to expand on this list, is What You Need to Read During Black History Month from contributor Marvin Olasky.
Senior Culture Correspondent Jillian Cheney writes on “Spiritus/Virgil’s Dance,” a play written by and starring Black, award-winning playwright Dael Orlandersmith. The play interacts with Dante’s “Divine Comedy” through her family in the Bronx, and brings a genuine care and dignity to humanity in life and death. Earlier in the month, she spoke to the cast and creative team of “Underground,” a ballet in its 17th year of production that tells the story of the Underground Railroad — and ultimately a story of redemption and justice.
6 Books About The Black Experience With A Connection To Faith
Reading books about African Americans during the month of February has become an essential practice for promoting empathy, understanding and appreciation for what Blacks have contributed to American society. This is not just true of political, cultural and entertainment figures, but also ones that were central to religion. by Clemente Lisi
Humanity In Life And Death: How One Play Intertwines Dante’s ‘Divine Comedy’
(REVIEW) At the beginning of Dante’s “Divine Comedy,” he describes himself as being in a dark place spiritually. Virgil, the protagonist of the one woman show “Spiritus/Virgil’s Dance,” finds herself in a similar position in the middle of her life: A job she hates, devoid of passion and breaking promises she’d made to herself in youth. by Jillian Cheney
What ‘God and Country’ Gets Wrong About Christian Nationalism
(REVIEW) A new documentary “God and Country” tries to warn against an American political movement that is corrupting both politics and Christianity — but its misrepresentation of the topic only makes its audience less informed and instead gives strength to the movement. by Joseph Holmes
Mass Of Reparation: Why New York’s St. Patrick’s Cathedral Was Forced To Perform One
The Archdiocese of New York condemned the funeral of a transgender leader held last week at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, calling the entire thing “sacrilegious” and that church official had been duped into performing the service. As a result, the cathedral conducted a rare “Mass of Reparation.” by Clemente Lisi
Persecution Against Christians In Iran Continues To Worsen
Iranian Christians continued to face harassment, arrests and imprisonment last year for practicing their faith, according to a new report. The 35-page report, issued by four non-profit organizations advocating for persecuted Christians across the world, found that Christians have been deprived of their right to freely practice their faith. by Clemente Lisi
‘The Chosen’ Season 4 Part 2: A Darker Jesus Shines
(REVIEW) “The Chosen” remains one of the strongest pieces of faith-based content being produced these days. The fourth season is, on balance, one of the strongest to date despite some flaws. Hopefully, the groundwork being laid in these middle episodes will feel worth it in the future. by Joseph Holmes
The Curious Case Of Javier Milei’s Catholic Faith And Love Of Judaism
It was quite a week for Javier Milei. Not only did he visit Israel in a show of support; the recently-elected Argentine president then flew to Vatican City, where he made peace with Pope Francis. While Milei is a Catholic, he hasn’t been shy about criticizing the pontiff in the past while also flirting with the idea of converting to Judaism. by Gil Zohar
New York’s Public University System Adds 4 New Official Religious Holidays
Following a vote by CUNY’s Board of Trustees, Chancellor Felix Matos Rodríguez said on Wednesday that the the New York City system will become one of the first in the nation to designate Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, Lunar New Year and Diwali as holidays on the school calendar. by Clemente Lisi
Punk for The Pious: How Major Religions Tackle The Music Genre
(ANALYSIS) If punk music is about being countercultural, then religious punk is, perhaps, the most punk of all. In an increasingly secular world, to deviate from secularism is to embrace the outcast mentality. The rebels of today, it seems, are those pitting themselves against a purely material reality. by Matthew Peterson
🚨 5 Takeaways From The Shooting At Joel Osteen's Lakewood Church 🔌
In this week’s Weekend Plug-in, Bobby Ross Jr. highlights five takeaways from the shooting at Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Church. Plus, as always, catch up on all the best reads and top headlines in the world of faith.
Don’t forget! You can subscribe to receive Bobby’s column directly in your inbox on Friday mornings!
Thanks again for reading!
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This is how you sustain racism. By singling out a particular ethnicity for something that has nothing to do with race. The Black connection to faith is identical to any other connection to faith unless you are racist. Religious faith is belief without evidence, so no need to be proud of it.