Posted on Sunday, December 20, 2015

Why is the ‘Real Face’ of Jesus Controversial? The Real Christmas Story…

Hello World,

Today marks the fourth Sunday of Advent as we celebrate the birth of Jesus THIS FRIDAY! Every year I always struggle to get into the true Christmas spirit amid the commercialism of this holiday that would have us skip over Thanksgiving and plunge headfirst into racking up debt to buy our family and friends happiness…During this season, I have to retreat and reflect on Scriptures such as Seven Scriptures to Remind Us that Jesus is the Real Reason for the Season…so that I am reminded that the original Christmas was about how God enabled his son Jesus to come to this earth in the form of a baby born to a Jewish couple in the Middle East…

That is why I am a bit perplexed that medical artist Richard Neave’s rendering of the real face of Jesus has gone viral! Although my earliest recollections of portraits of Jesus featured a man with blonde hair and blue eyes which I probably learned about in Sunday School and or the private Christian school I attended as a child, I stopped believing those depictions were accurate once I understood the Christmas story even as a child. That was probably around the time that I read “The Diary of Anne Frank” and began to study world history. My deductive reasoning led me to believe that Jesus, while in human form, must have been of a darker hue and looked similar to those who live in the Middle East…That would only make sense…

Still, I love that that forensic science is now backing up what was clear to me…Below is an excerpt from the article “The Real Face Of Jesus” on popularmechanics.com.

For those accustomed to traditional Sunday school portraits of Jesus, the sculpture of the dark and swarthy Middle Eastern man that emerges from Neave’s laboratory is a reminder of the roots of their faith. “The fact that he probably looked a great deal more like a darker-skinned Semite than westerners are used to seeing him pictured is a reminder of his universality,” says Charles D. Hackett, director of Episcopal studies at the Candler School of Theology in Atlanta. “And [it is] a reminder of our tendency to sinfully appropriate him in the service of our cultural values.”

Neave emphasizes that his re-creation is simply that of an adult man who lived in the same place and at the same time as Jesus. As might well be expected, not everyone agrees.

Forensic depictions are not an exact science, cautions Alison Galloway, professor of anthropology at the University of California in Santa Cruz. The details in a face follow the soft tissue above the muscle, and it is here where forensic artists differ widely in technique. Galloway points out that some artists pay more attention to the subtle differences in such details as the distance between the bottom of the nose and the mouth. And the most recognizable features of the face—the folds of the eyes, structure of the nose and shape of the mouth—are left to the artist. “In some cases the resemblance between the reconstruction and the actual individual can be uncanny,” says Galloway. “But in others there may be more resemblance with the other work of the same artist.” Despite this reservation, she reaches one conclusion that is inescapable to almost everyone who has ever seen Neave’s Jesus. “This is probably a lot closer to the truth than the work of many great masters.”

And furthermore, I hope this rendering of the real face of Jesus encourages many of us to get off of our cultural high horses regarding refugees coming into this country particularly at this time of the year...This meme says it better than I can…

I’m not saying that we don’t need to be cautious because we absolutely have to be in this time of terrorism. But for that those of us who profess to be Christians, our actions have to be rooted in love and not fear…

Can I get an Amen?

Any thoughts?

Posted on Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Engagement Enigma: ‘Born Again Virgin’ Season 2 Episode 2 Recap…

Hello World,

I was wondering when the BAV writers were going to address that Tara got engaged in the season 1 finale of “Born Again Virgin” and they did in last night’s episode. If you don’t remember all of the details of Tara’s engagement, please see “Crushin’ & Cussin’: ‘Born Again Virgin’ Season 1 Episode 8 & 9 (the Season Finale!) Recaps.” Well, in the true “over-the-topness” that we’ve come to love in Tara, she is “turnt” about planning her engagement party. The only problem is that Enrique, the man to which she is affianced, is mysteriously missing from her plans – hence my title “Engagement Enigma.” (Y’all like that, right?). Exhibit A: Tara gives invitations to Jenna and Kelly, whom she asks to be her maids of honor (also known as “indentured servants in pretty dresses” per Kelly) to mail, but her fiancé’s name is nowhere on the invitation…No bueno para Enrique…

But working as “indentured servants in pretty dresses” is not the only thing that Jenna & Kelly worry about in this episode. Since Kelly quit her job last season (again, see my recap above for the details), Jenna must share her “work space” (basically, the kitchen) with Kelly. While Kelly is accustomed to a more professional environment, Jenna has a “process” she must go through before she starts her work day. This “process” includes dancing in the kitchen to Kelly’s irritation. As a writer, I get the “process.” (The “process” is comprised of the habits, behaviors, etc. that you do to coax your creativity to come out and play so to speak. My process includes a cup of tea, rocking back and forth in my chair like I’m an idiot and 10-minute naps…don’t ask me why this works, but it does…) Anywho, Jenna and Kelly argue about working out their mutual work space so that it works for both of them…

Despite their differences, Jenna and Kelly are united in their desire to meet Enrique, since Tara has yet to introduce him to them. She finally brings him over, but after meeting him, they are more puzzled than ever. First of all, Tara knows more about planning engagement parties than she does about Enrique. For example, she thinks he is from Spain when he is from Puerto Rico (I love Old San Juan by the way.). He went to Columbia University not NYU as Tara thought. And he speaks French in addition to Spanish and English. Jenna suggests that Tara read an article titled “Am I Marrying the Man or the Ring?” but Tara is too busy planning her engagement party to focus on minor details. She announces that she has booked Chef Roblé to cater the party even she though used to “hook up” with the chef, the engagement party will be held at the Atlanta Botanical Garden and she will be arriving in a helicopter sans Enrique. When Jenna continues to try to confront Tara about focusing on the engagement sans Enrique, she accuses her of being mad that she got engaged without having to give up sex. Ouch.

Meanwhile Kelly has taken “work from home” to another level as she hires an assistant Morgan who shows up in their kitchen one morning. Now, when Jenna wants to speak with Kelly, she must make an appointment through Morgan which is obviously ridiculous. This takes their tiff over the top! Tara, on the other hand, is forced to turn down a lil bit when she discovers the botanical garden is booked and that she has been banned from the establishment! She finally decides to get Enrique’s input about the party. To her surprise, he suggests they skip the engagement party altogether and just tie the knot. Now, Tara is confused. For all of her excitement about being engaged (AND she has been engaged eight times before), she has no actual experience with being married…She realizes she is committed to being engaged but marriage is a different commitment altogether…LOL…A good thing to know before getting married…More to be revealed in future BAV episodes obviously…

Kelly and Jenna demonstrate their commitment to their friendship when they finally work out their work arrangement. Kelly admits she is “freaking out” now that she has quit her job and is trying to build a company, and Jenna, who is still trying to build her blog readership (I know all about that), understands the struggle…

So what did you think of this episode?

Any thoughts?

Posted on Saturday, December 12, 2015

Interdenominational Theological Center Triumphant After Accreditation Scare, Honors Civil Rights Icons at Global Transformers Gala (PHOTOS included)

Hello World,

When an invitation to cover the Interdenominational Theological Center’s (ITC) inaugural Global Transformers Gala 2015 showed up in my inbox last week, I knew I had to attend for two reasons. First of all, my father received his doctorate from the school and secondly, it was an opportunity to be among civil rights icons who changed the trajectory of humankind through their contributions! Check out these honorees: Archbishop Desmond Tutu, former President Jimmy Carter, Ambassador Andrew Young, Congressman John Lewis, Rev. Dr. Joseph Lowery, Dr. C.T. Vivian; Rabbi Alvin Sugarman, Dr. Barbara Lewis King, Dr. Cameron Madison Alexander, Dr. Lonnie C. King Jr. and Rev. Dr. R.L. White Jr. (Close your mouth! I know you’re impressed.)

Once the event began at the Georgia International Convention Center in College Park began last night, I learned that ITC faced losing its accreditation in 2011; however, in the four years since, ITC has worked to address “areas of institutional effectiveness, financial aid, and financial sustainability” according to a press release in the program. As a result, “full, unconditional, reaffirmation concludes a four-year effort by ITC to secure that status.” In fact, ITC’s reaffirmation was just announced at the Southern Association of College and Schools Commission on Colleges on December 8! So in addition to celebrating civil rights icons, ITC was also celebrating its reaffirmation!

The first person I spoke with was Dr. C.T. Vivian, who was just as gracious in person as he seems to be when I’ve seen him interviewed on television and heard interviews with him on the radio. “I’m thankful to be with these 12 people who did the Civil Rights Movement together,” Vivian said to me in the VIP reception prior to the gala. “I remember all of these people throughout the years and it makes it more like a homecoming than a meeting.”

I also met Dr. Edward L. Wheeler, who became the president of ITC in January of this year. Below he is pictured with Rev. Dr. R.L. White Jr., one of the honorees and president of ITC’s National Alumni Association.

Below is Dr. Wheeler and Rev. A. Denise Bell, regional minister Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

After the VIP reception ended, I made my way to the banquet hall where the gala was held. Below are a few photographs of what I saw along the way. (Keep in mind that I’m a writer not a photographer, please : ). )

The Mistress of Ceremony for the evening was one of Atlanta’s finest journalists Mrs. Monica Pearson, who looked gorge in this marigold, green and black African print dress. My picture doesn’t do it or her justice, but you get the idea…She said of the honorees: “We want to honor you while you can still smell the roses.” Agreed…

I roamed around the gala and wound up with a few decent shots of the honorees…Take a look…I’m sure you recognize Congressman John Lewis and Ambassador Andrew Young…

Below is some new information that I learned last night that impressed me:

Monica Pearson said without Dr. Lonnie King Jr., there would be no Monica Pearson. Apparently, King (no relation to Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King), as president of Atlanta’s NAACP in 1969, formed a Community Coalition on Broadcasting to convince television and radio stations to hire black people on and off of the air. According to the April 30, 1970 issue of JET magazine, after a “10-month power struggle” which included the coalition’s persuasion of the FCC to delay the “license renewals of every one of Atlanta’s radio and television stations” for 30 days, 20 of the stations “agreed across the board to coalition demands.” Monica Pearson, who is retired, started her career at Channel 2 Action News in 1975 as Atlanta’s first minority and woman to anchor the 6 p.m. news. And although I’m not television or radio journalist, I’m reasonably sure that Dr. King’s work influenced the hiring of black print journalists in the city as well. Salute!
Rev. Dr. R.L. White Jr., who also was president of the NAACP Atlanta branch, spearheaded a gun buyback campaign which led to almost 1,00o guns being taken off the streets in 2014. Salute!
Rev. Dr. Joseph E. Lowery, who was once pastor of Cascade United Methodist Church, was instrumental in securing 10 acres of land for the church and $1 million that was used for the construction of the church’s cathedral. Salute!

I also spoke with a few of the gala attendees. Below is Timi Simpson, executive assistant to ITC’s vice president of financial services and CFO, and her husband Kenneth Simpson. Simpson was excited about ITC gala as well as its new president. “This is a kickoff of a new birth for ITC. We are introducing our self back into the community and fostering new relationships.”

Below is Carmen Holman, a consultant with the Andrew Young Foundation. “When I saw the honorees, I was immediately impressed with those selected. They are deserving of the recognition. At this day and time, we need this level of inspiration.”

Rev. Felice Betaudier, who is an associate minister at Redemptive Life Christian Fellowship in Conyers, says she hopes to enroll at ITC and earn a master of divinity degree.

Below are the honorees who were in attendance last night as well as those who accepted awards on behalf of the honorees who weren’t able to attend. Professional photographer Calvin Evans was gracious enough to allow me to use his photograph of them.

Global Tansformers Gala "ITC" Presidents "Light of the World Award ITC Global Tansformers Award photography by Calvin Evans www.calvinevansphotoshoot.com © 2016 All rights reserved

And below is a photo of the actual awards…

Finally, I asked President Wheeler what the gala meant to him and his reply was, “It means a couple of things. First, it is a celebration of excellence for the honorees and what they displayed because of their faith. It is inspiring. It is also a celebration of ITC coming out again as a voice of justice, a voice of equity and voice of transformation for the betterment of humanity.”

Any thoughts?