Racism Archives - Universal Life Church Monastery Blog

Adios, 'Trader Jose' – Brands Are Ditching Problematic Labels

July 23rd, 2020

Trader Joe's is the latest company to announce that they're changing branding many find offensive. "Trader Jose" now joins the ranks of Aunt Jemima, Uncle Ben's Rice, and Mrs. Butterworth, all of whom are being retired. Continue Reading »

Posted in: Political & Religious Controversy | 13 Comments »

Goodbye "Redskins" – NFL Team Announces Name Change

July 14th, 2020

After years of protests and pleas from activists and Native Americans alike, the Washington Redskins are finally changing their name. The change comes as part of a larger cultural reckoning with racism in America. Continue Reading »

Posted in: Political & Religious Controversy | 133 Comments »

Mississippi Replaces Confederate Symbol With 'In God We Trust' on State Flag

July 2nd, 2020

Mississippi seems poised to finally remove the Confederate Battle Flag from their own state flag. But they intend to replace it with the words "In God We Trust", which many advocates say is offensive to the nonreligious. Continue Reading »

Posted in: Political & Religious Controversy | 107 Comments »

Episcopal Seminary Announces Slavery Reparations Fund

September 12th, 2019

The flagship seminary of the Episcopal Church announced a $1.7 million endowment fund for black clergy and congregations intended as reparations for its use of slave labor in the 19th century. The hefty fund has many wondering whether reparations are biblically supported. Continue Reading »

Posted in: Political & Religious Controversy | 63 Comments »

Mississippi Wedding Venue Turns Away Mixed Race Couple, Citing Christian Beliefs

September 4th, 2019

After learning that her brother and his fiancée had been turned down by a wedding venue in their small Mississippi hometown, Lakambria Welch thought there must have been a mistake. She drove down to Boone's Camp Event Hall in Booneville, MS to sort things out with the owner. But Welch couldn’t have been prepared for the conversation that followed. Continue Reading »

Posted in: LGBTQ & Human Rights, Political & Religious Controversy | 77 Comments »

Fearing Overlap with White Supremacy, Group of Christian Leaders Renounce Christian Nationalism

August 12th, 2019

A group of influential Christian leaders recently endorsed a letter renouncing Christian nationalism. Given the recent surge of right-wing and religious terrorism in America, they say the link between Christian nationalism and right-wing extremism is too strong to ignore any longer. Continue Reading »

Posted in: Christian | 115 Comments »

Donations Pour in for Destroyed Black Churches After Notre Dame Fire

April 20th, 2019

Over the course of several weeks prior to the Notre Dame blaze, three historically black churches in Louisiana were destroyed by an arsonist. And yet, what began as a tragic story of hate soon morphed into one of unity and common humanity. Continue Reading »

Posted in: Progressive Spirituality, Christian | 28 Comments »

Churches Urge Kaepernick Haters to Donate Nike Shoes Instead of Burning Them

September 11th, 2018

Just when it seemed like the nationwide debate over former NFL player Colin Kaepernick was dying down, Nike poured some high-intensity fuel on the fire by featuring the controversial figure in a new ad campaign. Now churches are urging people to donate their gear instead of burning it in protest. Continue Reading »

Posted in: Political & Religious Controversy | 130 Comments »

Former KKK Member Ditches White Supremacy for Jesus

September 1st, 2018

Ken Parker was a full-on white supremacist who marched with proponents of Nazi ideology in Charlottesville last summer. But then he found Jesus. Can faith be used as a tool to combat hate? Continue Reading »

Posted in: LGBTQ & Human Rights, Christian | 94 Comments »

North Carolina GOP Candidate: "God is a White Supremacist"

July 3rd, 2018

GOP candidate Russell Walker made national headlines after someone discovered a website he built which uses biblical arguments to promote white supremacy. Despite Republican party leaders pulling their support, Walker appears to be sticking to his guns. Continue Reading »

Posted in: Political & Religious Controversy, Christian | 76 Comments »