Articles
We post several short articles per month, tackling complicated issues and giving space for Christians to share their experiences about race in an edifying way. Longer essays are a scholarly contribution to UWP. They examine racism in the church in light of historical and theological contexts. Both Short-Form and Long-Form essays are written by people burdened with racial reconciliation in the church.
Presidents’ Day and Godly Authority
Samuel Melvin reflects on Presidents’ Day and what good and bad uses of authority look like.
Anthropology and Antisemitism
Austin Suter reflects on the rise of antisemitism on college campuses and traces its roots back to flawed anthropology. The Bible offers a better way forward to love all of our neighbors.
Dear White Woman
Courtney Reissig shares her experience of choosing to run at specific times of day in order to stay safe. She reflects on her own privilege and how she might leverage that in service of her minority brothers and sisters.
Church, Diversity, and the Questions Kids Ask
Courtney Reissig remembers being caught off-guard by a question her son asked after visiting a predominately black church.
The Pride of Jonah
Anyone who’s been in church long enough has probably heard the story of Jonah and the fish that swallowed him. As the story goes, God tells Jonah to deliver a message to the people in the city of Nineveh. But Jonah doesn’t want to. He attempts to run from this...
Old Wounds and Hidden Pain
I had to experience physical trauma before I understood there was such a thing as racial trauma. I’ll explain. On November 25, 2020, I did something stupid. It was the day before Thanksgiving, and I was in charge of cooking protein for the family gathering. It had...
The Readiness Spectrum
John Talley offers some words of encouragement and warning for majority-white churches looking to hire a minority pastor.
Sitting At The Wrong Lunch Table | Segregation then and now
In her book Why Are All The Black Kids Sitting Together In The Cafeteria? (New York: Basic, 1997), psychologist Beverly Daniel Tatum discusses the concept of racial identity development. First published nearly 25 years ago, she sought to help readers understand the...
I Don’t Date Asians
“I’m not attracted to Asian guys.” It’s a simple phrase, seemingly innocent enough, but many Asian Americans have heard it or have had similar sentiments expressed towards them. And they certainly can resonate with the stinging pain that such sentiments bring about....
But Why, God?
But Why, God? During the summer months, my church participates in a Bible reading series, and it was during this summer’s reading in the prophets that I came across the book of Jeremiah in a new light. Jeremiah (also known as the weeping prophet) was a prophet to the...