As Christians this past weekend celebrated Easter, in the midst of this holy season for so many faith traditions, I return again to the Easter Sunday service of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. preached in April 1957 at Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama, titled “Questions that Easter Answers.” Dr. King said one of these questions is “Is the universe on the side of … [Read more...] about Reminders of renewal
Child Watch
Ella Baker
As Women’s History Month continues, I wanted to highlight again another transforming woman whose name I hope young people will learn: Ella Josephine Baker. Ella Baker said this 60 years ago as she was speaking about the murders of Freedom Summer workers James Chaney, Andrew Goodman, and Michael Schwerner, who disappeared together in Mississippi in June 1964. During the … [Read more...] about Ella Baker
Black history, women’s history: Septima Clark
As Black History Month ends and Women’s History Month begins, it’s always a special privilege to honor leaders who overlap in both—black women who did their part to change American history. As we approach the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Movement’s Freedom Summer, one of these leaders to know and honor is Septima Clark, the woman Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., called the … [Read more...] about Black history, women’s history: Septima Clark
A Christmas lesson
On December 24, 1967, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., delivered the message at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia, on what would be his last Christmas Eve. The message was titled, “A Christmas Sermon on Peace”. More than 50 years later, I reiterate some of that powerful lesson. In a season when many people sing carols praying for peace on earth, Dr. King shared a … [Read more...] about A Christmas lesson
Rosalynn Carter: Honoring a legacy
On November 28, 2023, the family of former First Lady Rosalynn Carter held a beautiful memorial service for her at the Glenn Memorial Church at Emory University. Guests included President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, former President Bill Clinton and Secretary Hillary Clinton, former First Ladies Melania Trump, … [Read more...] about Rosalynn Carter: Honoring a legacy
A place at the table
I’ve shared before the description of an editorial cartoon my father kept pinned up in the vestibule of our church that made a deep impression on me I have never forgotten. It was a black and white drawing by the Pulitzer Prize-winning artist Herblock that was originally published in the Washington Post in October 1947. The picture showed a group of well-dressed, happy people … [Read more...] about A place at the table
Charles Ogletree
“Tree had everyone’s backs; he saw the potential in everyone and sought to nurture it.” So said Tomiko Brown-Nagin, dean of the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard and professor of constitutional law at Harvard Law School, and one of Harvard Law School Professor Charles Ogletree’s many colleagues, admirers, and friends. Charles Ogletree, who died August 4, … [Read more...] about Charles Ogletree
We must be the examples
When our children see the news right now, what are they thinking? We are at a moment where adults everywhere are reminded once again that we must all continue to strive to be the examples we want our children to emulate. We must teach them to value the truth and to know right from wrong. We cannot depend on anyone else. I believe all great faiths, history, moral decency, … [Read more...] about We must be the examples
Bringing truth to light
On July 25, the day that would have been Emmett Till’s 82nd birthday, President Joe Biden hosted a White House signing ceremony for a proclamation establishing the Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument in Mississippi and Illinois. Three sites are now part of this monument honoring Emmett Till, who had just turned 14 when he was abducted, tortured, and lynched in … [Read more...] about Bringing truth to light
Overturning opportunity
In the spring of 1954, like so many black families, mine waited anxiously for the Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court decision. My father and I talked about it and what it would mean for my future and the future of millions of other black children who were attending segregated but unequal black schools. He died the week before Brown was decided. But I and many other … [Read more...] about Overturning opportunity