Tag: race

Christian Chronicle

For Christians in Memphis, Tyre Nichols’ death a cause for concern, action

Like the 29-year-old victim in the nation’s latest high-profile police brutality case, the five officers charged with murder are Black. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A picture of Tyre Nichols in his hospital bed greeted a recent assembly of the Coleman Avenue Church of Christ. The same big screen displayed photos of five Memphis police officers charged with murder in the 29-year-old Black man’s death. The … Continue reading For Christians in Memphis, Tyre Nichols’ death a cause for concern, action

Bobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

In Georgia county with history of racial violence, Christians seek unity

‘It’s mentally hard for a lot of folks to cross that county line,’ Black minister says. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle CUMMING, Ga. — Kelvin Teamer stood on the stage of the Grace Chapel Church of Christ and marveled at the crowd. In this small town about 40 miles northeast of Atlanta, about 600 Christians — Black, White and Hispanic — filled the pews for a … Continue reading In Georgia county with history of racial violence, Christians seek unity

Bobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

How five Nashville churches came together

As attendance numbers shrink nationwide, these sister congregations see their future as ‘Greater Together.’ By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle Aaron Tremblay, now a minister in the Nashville, Tenn., area, preached for 10 years for the 75-member Leominster Church of Christ in Massachusetts.  In Tremblay’s native New England, congregations tend to be small and isolated, the 37-year-old minister noted. “But what helps them continue on, even though … Continue reading How five Nashville churches came together

Bobby Ross Jr.
Religion Unplugged

The truth of Brown v. Board of Education

Plaintiff’s daughter sets the record straight on landmark school desegregation case. By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged OKLAHOMA CITY — You may think you know the story of the Rev. Oliver Brown, the lead plaintiff in the landmark 1954 case Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas. You probably don’t. Nearly seven decades ago, the African Methodist Episcopal pastor’s name was etched in … Continue reading The truth of Brown v. Board of Education

Bobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

At Tulsa massacre’s centennial, two Oklahoma churches focus on racial unity

‘When we’re segregated … then how can we look like Christ?’ one minister asks. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle BROKEN ARROW, Okla. — At the 100th anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre, two preachers — one Black, one White — stand on stage at a suburban church. They face each other, hold hands and bow their heads. “Help us, Father, to learn to erase the … Continue reading At Tulsa massacre’s centennial, two Oklahoma churches focus on racial unity

Bobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

Christian faith drives two leading advocates of Tulsa Race Massacre justice

Rep. Regina Goodwin and Sen. Kevin Matthews both attend the same predominantly Black congregation, near where the 1921 mob violence occurred. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle TULSA, Okla. — Two weeks after her 107th birthday, Viola Fletcher traveled to Washington, D.C., this month to tell a congressional subcommittee what happened to her as a little girl. Fletcher, the oldest living survivor of the Tulsa … Continue reading Christian faith drives two leading advocates of Tulsa Race Massacre justice

Bobby Ross Jr.
Religion Unplugged

Tulsa Race Massacre prayer room highlights churches’ 1921 sins, seeks healing

By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged TULSA, Okla. — The words on the wall are jarring. They are filled with racist language and victim blaming. Worst of all, they are taken from the mouths of professed men of God — from sermons preached on the Sunday after the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921. “I got emotional about some of the things that I did not know,” … Continue reading Tulsa Race Massacre prayer room highlights churches’ 1921 sins, seeks healing

Bobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

In city where George Floyd died, minister emerges as key champion for justice

Russell A. Pointer Sr. thanks God for Derek Chauvin’s murder conviction but says the struggle goes on. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle MINNEAPOLIS — To Russell A. Pointer Sr., feeding hungry neighbors is biblical. So, too, is fighting for justice. The 56-year-old preacher might not be a household name in this Midwestern city of 435,000. But to prominent leaders from Minnesota Gov. Tim … Continue reading In city where George Floyd died, minister emerges as key champion for justice

Bobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

A tragic death, a tough dialogue

‘Why are you even talking about it?’ some Christians ask in the year after George Floyd’s killing. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle WOODBURY, Minn. — A year ago, George Floyd’s killing sparked outrage around the world. At the Woodbury Church of Christ, a predominantly White congregation about 20 miles east of Minneapolis, the Black man’s death under a police officer’s knee provoked difficult conversations. Some church … Continue reading A tragic death, a tough dialogue

Bobby Ross Jr.