Detroit artist Yvette Rock discovered that performance art was unpredictable and powerful. It gave Yvette a new lens to interpret the experiences of those left out in society. In a similar way, Mark Whitters, history professor at Eastern Michigan University, discovered performance as a tool for education. It was so powerful that it drove him to write his recent book on Jesus called Memoirs of How It All Began, available now at https://markwhitters.com/

Dan Propson, philosophy professor at Oakland University, provides commentary.

Today, We continue with our conversation about gangs and street life. To give us some insight into this world, we talk with Usef who was in Detroit gang for many years. He knows the streets well and is the perfect person to speak on urban life and gang society.  These next two episodes take a look at the social programs and support that gangs provide to young people to continually draw them in. 

Join Mark and Dan as they take a deeper look at street life!

[Names have been edited out for the sake of privacy]

Also, Mark's new book "MEMOIRS OF HOW IT ALL BEGAN"  is Out Now!

https://markwhitters.com/

This episode is a continuation of the discussion from last week. Usef dives into a recent story about his nephew being interested in joining a gang. This provides the perfect transition into  later topics on why gangs are so appealing to inner city young people as well as what they have to offer to those who join them.

[Names have been edited out for the sake of privacy]

Also, Mark's new book is Out Now!

https://markwhitters.com/

For the next few episodes we will be moving from the topics of religion and spirituality to the topic of street life and gangs. To give us some insight into this world, we talk with Usef who was in Detroit gang for many years. He knows the streets well and is the perfect person to speak on urban life and gang society. These first two episodes are conversations between Mark and Usef. Later Dan joins the discussion for understanding what drives young people to join gangs.

This episode primarily gives the context and vocabulary surrounding gang life before the discussion focuses on the "take -aways" for listeners. 

[Names have been edited out for the sake of privacy]

Also, Mark's new book is Out Now!

https://markwhitters.com/

This is part two of the conversation with Roy, speaking about his search for spirituality by involvement in religion. This week Dan and Mark continue their conversation exploration of the topic with Roy. Throughout their conversation they talk about personal vulnerability, being a “good person” independent of religion, and finally they ask if religion is merely religion a social club?"

Tune in next week for  our conversation about Gangs and street life in urban neighborhoods! 

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On this first episode, Dan and Mark talk to Roy, a research engineer from India, about his background with various religions and how he has come to see his spiritual life. Many people these days, especially young people, wrestle with questions of faith, religion, and spirituality and never get the chance to really think and talk things through. Roy was a real blessing to have on the show because of how articulate he is about how his sense of spirituality developed throughout his life.

Tune in next week for part two!

Our Social Media:

https://www.facebook.com/ReconnectingThreads

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbcoSdluRbw-yEHfKx-on1w?view_as=subscriber

https://soundcloud.com/reconnecting-the-threads

This is our story

Reconnecting the Threads is about what holds us together. How can we think and dialogue constructively about problems that undermine our solidarity in the community? Professors Mark Whitters and Dan Propson interview guests who tell us about topics like spirituality without religion, loneliness in an age of instant chat, homecomings for the homeless, street life and gangs in our neighborhoods. Listening to one another's stories goes a long way toward reconnecting and making sense of things.