View allAll Photos Tagged Connection
03 September 2017
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Garretson, SD
At the talking-race-symposium my church held over the weekend, the facilitator explained that no matter how individualistic our culture gets, we can’t break the connection that we have to other humans. “When I walk in a room, the drums of a continent beat alongside me, slave ships sail beside me, the gold tipped pyramids rise above,” our facilitator explained.
In pretty much every Christian tradition, there’s an understanding of sin as a part of human nature. People are culpable as individuals, but they are born into a broken world where sin has already severed the way things should be– perfect relationships between and among Creator and creation. This sets up the need for redemption to be experienced both as an individual, and then as a collective.
Racism is sin, and it fits that framework to a tee. It’s frustrating then, that a lot of Christians -and others- don’t confront racism with self-examination and repentance, but with defensiveness or turning-the-other-way. What’s with the defensiveness? Perhaps it’s out of fear of upsetting folks or even losing congregants or one’s standing with a church like Robert E. Lee’s great-grandson did, but you can’t expect to be part of a following that restores the world if you can’t take the discomfort. Love crosses lines.
To me, “I’m not a racist” sounds like someone saying “I’m not a sinner.” So you haven’t murdered or scammed anyone. Great. But you were still born into a world where our nature is to put ourselves before others. So you’re not in the Klan. Great. But you were still born into a system birthed out of the idea that darker skinned people are only 3/5ths human.
Even if you haven’t committed any horrific acts, you’re still born into a broken system that takes root within you, unless you practice repentance. People are people, and it’s what we’re in need of.
My American Idol connection, and the beginning of a 24/7 column, "Not Hung up on good music. William Hung (and me) at a car dealership in DeLand.
Manufacturer: Embraer
Model: ERJ-170SE (ERJ-170-100SE)
Aircraft type: E-Jet family
Construction number: 17000148
Year built: 2006
Owner: Republic Airline
Operator: Republic Airline
Status: Active
The Utah State Office of Education Title VII Program in partnership with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Red Butte Garden, the Urban Indian Center and the Utah Natural History Museum hosted the second annual of the Earth Connections Camp, American Indian Nature Camp on June 18.
The camp’s goal is to reconnect urban American Indian youth with their natural world and cultural heritage, organizers said.
The 30 campers, divided into two groups, spent the day at Red Butte Garden learning about American Indian traditions, history, arts and craft, storytelling and nutrition.
American Indian educators and specialists from the various partners led each of the learning stations.
Juan Palma, BLM Utah state director, was the keynote speaker. He shared his story of growing up in a family of migrant workers and the difference education made in his life.
Other activities during the day-long camp included building solar toys and constructing dams with the assistance of Bureau of Reclamation staff.
“I was so impressed with the instructors, volunteers, and especially the campers,” said Jeanette Shackelford, BLM Utah State Youth Program Lead. “The kids were respectful and attentive, and I personally learned a lot from listening to the different sessions.”
Organizers hope to continue to collaborate and expand the day-camp to have more students attend.
The Utah State Office of Education Title VII Program in partnership with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Red Butte Garden, the Urban Indian Center and the Utah Natural History Museum hosted the second annual of the Earth Connections Camp, American Indian Nature Camp on June 18.
The camp’s goal is to reconnect urban American Indian youth with their natural world and cultural heritage, organizers said.
The 30 campers, divided into two groups, spent the day at Red Butte Garden learning about American Indian traditions, history, arts and craft, storytelling and nutrition.
American Indian educators and specialists from the various partners led each of the learning stations.
Juan Palma, BLM Utah state director, was the keynote speaker. He shared his story of growing up in a family of migrant workers and the difference education made in his life.
Other activities during the day-long camp included building solar toys and constructing dams with the assistance of Bureau of Reclamation staff.
“I was so impressed with the instructors, volunteers, and especially the campers,” said Jeanette Shackelford, BLM Utah State Youth Program Lead. “The kids were respectful and attentive, and I personally learned a lot from listening to the different sessions.”
Organizers hope to continue to collaborate and expand the day-camp to have more students attend.