#Book: Minor Feelings: An Asian American Reckoning

A Reads for Resistance recap by @lyricalassembly, for those that need to catch up, as well as a quick refresher and review before our next book club.

In a time where there are ongoing injustices committed against marginalized communities, we must craft a theology that centers justice and solidarity with the oppressed. Historical frameworks of Christianity that have been built on white supremacy and colonialism cannot help us move towards justice. We must pursue a theology that allows us to live, breath, and create from a place of liberation and love.

This book club was created specifically for creatives who wish to decolonize their faith, and learn about a Jesus who stands with the oppressed. Because we are a community of creatives, we will also explore how the content we learn can help inspire us to create art from a deeper place of authenticity and liberation. 

FREQUENCY: Every Saturday

TIME: 9AM-10AM PST

STRUCTURE: We will be reading one chapter a week, followed by a discussion on Saturday mornings. Discussion will be facilitated by leaders and artists in our community.

#MinorFeelings #ReadsForResistance #BookClub #LyricalAssembly

#Book​: Minor Feelings: An Asian American Reckoning

In this episode:

ICYMI: Lacy Nguyen and Ashley Budelli debrief Reads for the Resistance with a review of Chapter 2.

Join Read for the Resistance every Saturday from 9am - 10am.

Chapter 2 Summary:

This chapter runs through much of Reinhold Niebuhr’s career as one of America’s foremost theologians.  Cone laments and is obviously exasperated by the fact that Niebuhr, who is manifestly capable of understanding Black sorrow and rage, never appears to “get it” about what America’s Black population needs.  Niebuhr misses numerous opportunities to dig into Black experience and pain.  Repeatedly, he declines to engage in Black suffering in any sustained way.  He takes his cue from Hodding Carter and William Faulkner rather than Martin Luther King and ends up with a gradualist approach to an issue that requires revolutionary change.  Needless to say, Niebuhr fails to make the connection between the cross of Jesus and the lynching tree.  As a consequence, Niebuhr’s otherwise influential career is marred by his mediocre response to Black issues.  As Cone assumes his own teaching responsibilities at Union, he returns appreciatively to Niebuhr’s writings.  Nevertheless, America’s foremost Black theologians and ethicists never make the connection between the cross and the lynching tree.

Douglas Decelle

This past week, we began reading the Cross and the Lynching Tree by James Cone together, and began unpacking what this books mean as creatives who make art.

In case you missed Reads for the Resistance, here's a Chapter 1 Review and Chapter 2 Preview to prepare you for the upcoming reading tomorrow.

We need a theology that sustains our communities, uplifts the marginalized, and preaches a gospel of love and justice. This book club is created for people who are interested in decolonizing their faith, and learning about a Jesus that stands with the oppressed.

Reviewed by Lacy Nguyen and Kirk Davis.

“The cross is a paradoxical religious symbol because it inverts the world’s value system with the news that hope comes by way of defeat, that suffering and death do not have the last word, that the last shall be first and the first last.” (Pg. 2)

“The fear of lynching was so deep and widespread that most blacks were too scared to talk publicly about it.” (Pg. 15)

“If the blues offered an affirmation of humanity, religion offered a way for black people to find hope.” (Pg. 18)

“The final word about black life is not death on a lynching tree but redemption in the cross — a miraculously transformed life found in the God of the gallows.” (Pg. 23)

Chapter 1 Summary:

Cone begins his first chapter by observing that there are several parallels between the cross of Jesus and the lynching tree terror that stretched between 1880 and 1940, mostly in the Southern States.  Both cross and lynching tree are wooden upright structures used to hang victims.  Both are forms of spectacle torture designed to shame victims publicly.  Both were used to reinforce social dominance by one group or cultural standard.  And both have had an impact on Black Americans, especially those living under the terror of being lynched.

Douglas Decelle

7 Last Poems is a spoken word event featuring 7 amazing poets from all over the bay area sharing poems inspired by the 7 last statements of Jesus during his crucifixion before his death. This is a powerful way to reflect on the life-changing love of Jesus during the Easter Season. 7 Last Poems also features special music from the 7 Last Poems Band along with DJ Sticky.

The Official Podcast Trailer of Lyrical Assembly, a nomadic faith, arts and activism community, who assemble to spread messages of hope that inspire and empower communities towards social change.

7 Last Poems is a spoken word event featuring 7 amazing poets from all over the bay area sharing poems inspired by the 7 last statements of Jesus during his crucifixion before his death. This is a powerful way to reflect on the life-changing love of Jesus during the Easter Season. 7 Last Poems also features special music from the 7 Last Poems Band along with DJ Sticky.

7 Last Poems is a spoken word event featuring 7 amazing poets from all over the bay area sharing poems inspired by the 7 last statements of Jesus during his crucifixion before his death. This is a powerful way to reflect on the life-changing love of Jesus during the Easter Season. 7 Last Poems also features special music from the 7 Last Poems Band along with DJ Sticky.

Bspokeit the Poet performs "Pretty in Pink" at Lyrical Opposition's Paradigm Rhymes Poetry Slam event at San Francisco State University's Jack Adams Hall.