Why Diversity Matters, for Everyone

Bob Iuliano, the current president of Gettysburg College, a wonderful college where I used to serve as chaplain/associate dean of religious and spiritual life, wrote this fantastic piece for The Hill on race-conscious college admissions: you can read it here: https://thehill.com/opinion/congress-blog/3673515-building-diverse-campuses-requires-race-conscious-admissions/ Iuliano is uniquely qualified to write on this topic, because he previously served as…… Continue reading Why Diversity Matters, for Everyone

Make America Safe

As most Americans know, former president Donald Trump’s campaign catchphrase was “Make America Great Again.” It is catchy, right? And compelling. Who doesn’t aspire to greatness? Who doesn’t want to live in a great country? World War II veterans and their peers were honored with the title “The Greatest Generation” by Tom Brokaw, who wrote…… Continue reading Make America Safe

The Criminal Fallibility of the Death Penalty

Where do you stand on the death penalty? Many people have very strong opinions about it, and it can be a controversial topic of conversation. I am a long-time opponent of the death penalty, for theological reasons; and, while many people do still support the death penalty, in the United States, opposition is growing. I’m…… Continue reading The Criminal Fallibility of the Death Penalty

Periods, Poverty & Pollution

Thanks to our Global Advocacy Committee & the Sustainability Taskforce here at Wartburg Seminary, I had the opportunity to watch a great documentary last night that I want to share. It’s short, less than 30 minutes, and it’s called “The Bloody Truth about Period Poverty in America” [watch it for free here: https://youtu.be/gPWriykB0xY%5D Mostly, I…… Continue reading Periods, Poverty & Pollution

Sheltering in (a dangerous) Place

If you are like me, your biggest challenges these past two months have been frustration with zoom meetings, cabin fever, loneliness, anxiety and occasionally desperately needing some space from the other people in your house. One thing I have not had to worry about, however, is getting beaten, threatened, or killed by my partner. My…… Continue reading Sheltering in (a dangerous) Place

Indigenous Peoples’ Day

  Monday was a holiday–of sorts.  When I was young, it was unambiguously Columbus Day:  we celebrated the day Columbus “discovered” America and most of us had off from school.  Now, in many places–though not everywhere–the day is commemorated as “Indigenous Peoples’ Day,” but somewhat uneasily, I think, depending on where you live. I asked…… Continue reading Indigenous Peoples’ Day

Rights and Responsibilities, and Gun Violence

So, last night before I went to bed, I was thinking about my blog, and I knew I wanted to write about the mass shooting in El Paso.  I have written before about gun violence and the pathological, illogical resistance too many people in this country have to sensible gun laws that would create a…… Continue reading Rights and Responsibilities, and Gun Violence