When we see Jesus’ life in context, we can then begin to see some connections to Hip Hop culture. First, Jesus had baby-mamma. Jesus was born to a virgin—right? Well, in the Jewish context of His day and time, the word “virgin” could have meant either without having sex or a “a maiden; by implication an unmarried daughter”[1] This is a problem, not just for contemporary understandings of who Mary—the mother of Jesus—actually was, but also for Mary during that key moment in time.

 

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President Obama has his hands full. On one end, if he presses too hard for equality and justice, he will be crucified for “playing the race card.” On the other side of it, if he sits still and says very little, at the end of his presidency not only will Blacks remonstrate but many other ethnic minorities will bawl for justice and equality against the beast of racism. In the recent weeks, we have seen the struggle President Obama has had; Shirley Sherrod is case in point. Moreover, now you have Charlie Rangel and Maxine Waters being probed by the ethics committee; both are African American. Does race play a role in all this? Of course.

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It is difficult for some people to comprehend police brutality. For many, they accept the notion that a police officer is provoked and or is entitled to use brute force; moreover, if and when that force is used, it must have been justified. Therefore, it is almost impossible to understand someone wanting to take action (as in a lawsuit or criminal court case) against an officer who was simply “doing his/ her duty.” After all, if you were not doing anything wrong, why would you have to run or put up a fight? Therein lies a very large misunderstanding and thus enters in the multifarious nature of the social construction of race (Click here for another examination of the social construct of race).

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This week, Congress is taking legal action against the now infamous Arizona law passed a few months ago. At the same time, a Washington Post poll reveals that most Americans actually support the new law in Arizona. Proponets ot the law assert that Arizona is doing nothing but enforcing what has already been on the books; moreover, they are protecting a border that has gone unchecked. While still others call the new law racist and part of an ongoing trail of racial profiling. What do we make of all this? How can this “debate” even be a debate? Are we not just protecting our borders and keeping Americans safe? Isn’t it in our best interest to keep those “bad people” out of the country? Well, these are all important issues—no doubt. However, there is a mask which covers the ugly countenance that most are unaware is happening. For example, in the 1980’s Danilo Blandon—known for his drug trading and arms dealing—was given full citizenship in the U.S. by the C.I.A. in return for trading guns for crack cocaine in our inner cities.[1] That is just one of many examples where this perceived “protection” has failed us as Americans. In addition there are thousands of websites and documents supporting the Bin Ladin family being given shelter and a “safe exit” after the 9/11 attacks.

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In the wake of the BP disaster and ecological nightmare, which is unfolding in our Gulf of Mexico, I sit back and ponder the deeper elements of our current social climate, worldview, and social progress. I look at the seriousness of the close to 22% unemployment rate in California (based on the actual 10% unemployment rate and factoring in those who are discouraged workers, entrepreneurs, and those who are independent employees who cannot claim unemployment insurance), a government without any real “teeth” to tackle the greed of our country, and an economic system which seems to only benefit those who are wealthy, I am saddened. Moreover, I am also enraged by the sheer amount of greed, which exists in our country today—and not just our country, but it is passing onto other nations too.

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Father’s day is an interesting day. It is a day to remember the fathers of the world—at least in this society here in the West. Father’s Day is a day to recognize the influence, presence, and significance of the male in a family unit—however one would define a “family unit.” This day is also a time of clever marketing to get dad that special “hammer” or lawnmower he has been wanting, or to treat him to a nice meal at his favorite burger joint—all with special “incentives” like 50% off this and or “no tax” on that. Father’s day presents itself with a myriad of choices on what to do for dad. But, the deeper issue is, what is a dad? What does a dad really look like in today’s public sphere? Is dad someone who is relegated and minimized to tools, beer, food, and ties? Or is dad someone bigger than that? Is dad a male or a female?

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(Please note: There is graphic language which may be offensive to some.)

These days can be a crazy time to live in. There are all sorts of issues that arise on a second by second basis. One begins to ask the very real theological question, “Where is God in all of this?” Moreover, “Does God even care?” Tupac was no different, he asks the question in context and from a marginalized perspective: I wonder if the Lord ever heard of me?

 

If you have ever had some tough times to live through, then these are questions that are real. They get at the very depth of theological understanding that I look for and where I want to find God. But, they are troublesome in nature; they question existence; they question reality; they question dogma; they question tradition & culture; they even question God—a blaspheme worthy of the auto de fé in the Spanish Inquisition. Yet, in all of this, they are necessary questions for the growth and development of faith. Tupac places these issues at our feet and begs of us to begin the very difficult journey of faith development within the crap of life—the murky middle of faith.

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For those of you who follow my humble little blog, you will have noticed that I’ve been absent for the last couple of months. My last blog entry was dated April 11, 2010 and I’ve not been able to get at my passion as much as I’d like. I do apologize for that. Should I give the more and more common excuse of, “Man…I’ve just been busy!” Should I just say, “Work got the better of me!” Or should I just say, “Shoot, I’ve been too dang tired to even do what it is I actually love to do!” Well, there is a little truth in all of those statements and the reality is, the busyness of life can be a daunting drudgery done in vain labor at points. I mean, what are we really that busy for?

Yes, yes, I get the common worldview that says we do this for our family. But what does our family get in return? Moreover, what does all that busyness actually add up to? I also comprehend that having a good work ethic is also good and that, especially for men by way of gender role socialization, work is a powerful tool for social capital and social status. Some of us actually love to be told “Wow, look how hard you’re working! Good for you!” So there is that whole deal as well.

There is also the worldview that says work hard now, and later you can play. Yes, that good old delayed gratification comes into play here. But again, how is the 60 hour work week taking its toll on those latter years in our life? What if hypertension and heart attacks actually hold us back from enjoying those “play years?” Work is good though, right? We all have to do it, right? Well, sort of.

Some don’t have to work all that much, others work for them, their money works for them, their parents help them out, maybe they won the lotto, maybe they’re a celebrity, or maybe they’ve just been fortunate enough to have money coming in. So no, all of us do not have to work in the same manner or form.

But, for the rest of us, work is a reality and the ensuing busyness will demand it’s levy on our life, family, and mind. Is there a way around this? I’m not sure. Here in American culture we have created a type of congratulatory ethos for those who work the most. In other words, we reward workaholics. Yes, yes, those people who put in 60-70 hours, work multiple jobs, sacrifice time and energy for the company, and put in the “extra mile for the team” are given their labor remuneration in the form of promotions, more money, television shows, titles, degrees, and even glory in death (Boy that Sam sure was a hard worker when he was alive; Sally sure did hustle, wish she was still here). Being busy is just part of the American way; we love it; in fact, we adore it. And don’t be in a professional ministry position (pastorate and or a faith based non-profit director), because once Jesus get’s put into the mix, people will work even harder and do just about anything; not to mention get paid little to nothing. One of our close friends, who recently switched jobs because her last one wanted her to put in well over 65 hours a week including weekends on the job, told us that what her last company wanted was basically her life in exchange for a paycheck. Hmmm.

So where do I fit into all of this? Am I somehow above all this and now about to offer up a simple and ergonomic solution to our busyness woes? No. I’m right there in the mix. I work at 6 different schools, teach 7-8 classes a semester, mentor, hustle my books, write articles, and try to get paid to pay rent just like most of us do. No, I’m no better. I fit into the “I’m trying to pay my bills and live my life” worldview on the busyness scale. I don’t have much to offer up other than to say occasionally, every now and then, once in a while, when the moon is right, and when the air is just blowing…I take some time off and go out with my wife; no kids, no connections to the outside world, just us one on one. And you know what we did? Nothing.

Is that the answer? I don’t really know. But the reality is that we live in a society that is obsessed with work and as Dr.’s Roberth Hemfelt, Frank Minirth, and Paul Meier say in their book We Are Driven: The Compulsive Behaviors America Applauds, are we really having fun? I don’t think so…I hope to somehow break this cycle and get back to doing what I love…writing.

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As I sit here and reflect on manhood and masculinity, I’m bothered once again by the double standard we still painfully have in our American society. What double standard you ask? Well, the one that says almost any man can have as much sex as he wants to and is considered a “stud;” shoot, there are even other men who might want to take classes from him. But when a woman has that same amount of sex or less, she is considered a “slut,” “whore,” and/or even a “bitch.” Even worse, that label sticks with her for almost a lifetime and unless she has a real integrated identity and knows herself well, that label can do disastrous things to the self-image, her social context, and even career.

Where might this even apply? Well, this week I watched Tiger Woods basically “come back.” He had his news conference seeming very contrite and open about what he had done. Woods appeared as though he had “learned” from his mistakes and was making a mense about the whole thing; while reports of his wife and pending divorce rumored around, Woods still seems confident about his game and life moving forward. Now, let me make it clear, I am not hating on Tiger, I think he has every right to be forgiven and “start over”…but so do women.

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