by James Melson | Nov 24, 2021 | 2021, Weekly Reflection
On this Thanksgiving weekend, I want to give thanks for the “great cloud of witnesses” (Hebrews 12:1) in our nation’s history who chose faith based nonviolent direct action as the way to advance freedom and justice for all. For the last 20 years, a major part of the...
by James Melson | Nov 17, 2021 | 2021, Weekly Reflection
Nelson Mandela and FW de Klerk The last white President of South Africa died earlier this month. FW de Klerk was the President and leader of the National Party in 1990 and played a pivotal role in releasing Nelson Mandela after 27 years of imprisonment. He also worked...
by James Melson | Nov 10, 2021 | 2021, Weekly Reflection
Logo of the Double V Campaign in World War II As we commemorate Veterans Day this week, we remember those who put their lives on the line to defend freedom and democracy that are the foundational principles of our nation. We also need to remember that for millions of...
by James Melson | Nov 3, 2021 | 2021, Weekly Reflection
The statue “March to Freedom” in Franklin, TN honors the legacy of the US Colored Troops in the Civil War Recently a new statue was unveiled near the county courthouse in Franklin, TN. It is called “March to Freedom” and honors the contributions of Black soldiers who...
by James Melson | Oct 27, 2021 | 2021, Weekly Reflection
Thirty five years ago this week on October 27, President Reagan signed the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1986. It established huge disparities in the sentences for crimes involving crack cocaine vs. powder cocaine even though there was no evidence of differences in the...
by James Melson | Oct 20, 2021 | 2021, Weekly Reflection
Eugenics refers to the now discredited “science” of improving humanity through selective reproduction based on “breeding out” undesirable traits often based on “intelligence” and “race.” This pseudo-science is most often associated with the horrific atrocities of the...
