Supreme Court Decision on Affirmative Action

 Excerpts from the President of Yale University where I did my graduate work and taught at the Divinity School:

Dear Members of the Yale Community,

This morning, the Supreme Court issued decisions in two cases that examine the consideration of race in admissions. . . . I write today to reaffirm Yale’s unwavering commitment to creating and sustaining a diverse and inclusive community. . . . We will continue to foster diversity in its many dimensions and will use all lawful means to achieve it.

As I consider today’s rulings, I am deeply troubled, but I also have hope when I reflect on the words of the Reverend Pauli Murray, eminent Yale graduate, “True community is based upon equality, mutuality, and reciprocity. It affirms the richness of individual diversity as well as the common human ties that bind us together.”

Roll-back on child-labor protections

 IOWA CHILD LABOR (FROM THE NEW YORKER, JUNE 12, P. 13)

In the past two years, according to a recent report from the Economic Policy Institute, at least fourteen states have enacted or proposed laws rolling back child-labor protections. Typically, the new laws extend work hours for minors, lift restrictions on hazardous work, lower the age at which kids can bus tables where alcohol is served, or introduce new sub-minimum wages. In Iowa, a new law allows children as young as fourteen to work in industrial laundries, and, with approval from a state agency, allows sixteen-year-olds to work in roofing, excavation, demolition, the operation of power-driven machinery, and other dangerous occupations. Jennifer Sherer, a co-author of the E.P.I. report, said, “Iowa’s new law contains multiple provisions that conflict with federal prohibitions on ‘oppressive child labor.’ ” It also limits employer liability for the injury, illness, or death of a child on the job. Adolescents are almost twice as likely as adults to be injured at work.

Mass Killing Epidemic

 As I am writing this, will we hear of a 200th mass killing in the United States this year? The 199th was at an outdoor shopping mall in Allen Texas. That is just a few miles from where one of our sons lives. And he has a person practicing with his rifle next door to him. No, it is not safe anywhere. Blaming people with mental illness is not the answer, particularly when mental health care is so hard to find. The slogan, "The only thing to stop a bad person with a gun is a good person with a gun" won't do. More gun violence compounds fear that causes a continuous rise in purchase of guns. The gun industry benefits and we all lose. 

The Days of May

 May 4:  May the 4th be with you.

Mary 5: Cinco de Mayo

May 6: Coronation of King Charles III

May 6: My half birthday (Born Nov. 6, 1938)

Of the three, I'll choose May 6 to celebrate

MLK's words.

 It’s been 60 years (1963) since the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. wrote his famous “Letter from Birmingham Jail” on scraps of paper, but faith leaders say his response to white clergy critics endures as a “road map” for those working on justice and equal rights.

Recent events and exhibitions tied to its anniversary have revealed the ongoing interest in and relevance of King’s letter, in which the civil rights leader proclaimed: “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.”

Easter Monday shootings

 Easter Monday: In yet another mass shooting, Louisville, KY, suffered the loss of four people who died and 9 who were injured.  And almost unbelievably, but what has come to be believable, just 3 hours later another shooting at a Community college in Louisville. Christ was risen to bring life, not murder.  Do we believe that? The Easter flowers are still surrounding us. But guns, way too many guns, surround us, too. Christ is Risen. Christ is Risen Indeed.

Jesus Suffered

 On this Good Friday, we focus on the verbs from the Gospels: Jesus was deserted, grieved, betrayed, approached with swords and clubs, lied about, struck and slapped, denied, bound, led away, suffered, flogged, mocked, spat upon, taunted, crucified, forsaken. The earth shook. Simon of Cyrene carried his Jesus' cross. Joseph of Arimathea offered his tomb. The women watched and prepared spices and ointments. We watch and wait.

Whom do you follow during Holy Week?

 Today, the Tuesday of Holy Week, I won't be watching as the media covers every step of the way of the former U.S. President into the courtroom to be indicted for (some of) the crimes he has committed during the past years. What else could the media be covering? The current VP, Pamela Harris' visit to African nations last week?  Not a glimpse of her, except on PBS.  Britain's King Charles last week visited Germany to re-enforce reconciliation and speak for future common work together. What else should we be watching?

During this Holy Week, we follow Jesus, the Christ, from his entry into Jerusalem to the cross.  Watch! Tell others to watch! Every step of the way! Only through this Savior will we be able to repent and receive new life.

Carnegie Hall

 The Mason City High School received a standing ovation  for being a solo choir at Carnegie Hall in New York City.  Our son Joel directed, his wife Rachel play piano and grandson Jackson had a solo.  Carnegie Hall was sold out.  The concert brings together outstanding choirs from across the country. 

International Women's Day

 Today, March 8, is International Women's Day. So much progress and still so much gender discrimination. I think of the women and girts in Iran and in Nigeria.  I think of the sex tourism in Asia.  I give thanks for so much progress here and around the world in women's opportunities in professions.  We need to know the herstories and continue to work for women's rights. 

Bloody Sunday

March 7, 1965, John Lewis led hundreds of people across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma Alabama to oppose voting restriction of African Americans in the South. As we know he was beaten within an inch of his life. The day became known as Bloody Sunday. Today, this Sunday, as every year, people will once again march across that bridge in commemoration. Fifty-eight years since that galvanizing event during the Civil Rights movement, we need to continue and increase our march towards freedom, advocating for all to be able to vote.  This Sunday may we pledge ourselves to that goal.  

Super Bowl and the Earthquake

 Super Bowl 57 is over. I admire the skill of the players, the excitement of the game. I watched the teams tackle one another and players emerge from the under the pile. As I watched another image came to mind: the people buried beneath the rubble in the earthquake in Turkey and Syria. "Where's the ball?" we asked in the football game. "Where are the bodies?" rescue workers asked as they labored in the horrific devastation. And still there was hope as a l0-year-old was pulled alive after 147 hours. The game is over; fans go home. Five million are homeless in Turkey and Syria. The tragedy is not over. How can we help?