paravanes:meditations

Hollywood has really lost its appeal. Unless there is a new Star Trek film on the horizon, I no longer look forward to knowing what's in the works in major commercial theaters. Why? I am too tired of Hollywood films that continue to depict a single element of the African-American experience while calling these films "historical", "powerful", "educational", and "enlightening." Recently, a friend urged me to see "The Butler", and I wrote back explaining why I wasn't going to see the film. I told him I was tired of seeing African-Americans depicted almost exclusively in subservient roles which did not present an image of people empowered to make material changes in their lives. I told him I am still waiting to see a film on the life of Ida B. Wells-Barnett , or Mary Ellen Pleasant , or Toussaint L'Ouverture . Do you recognize these names?  Why or why not? I told him I acknowledged the true history of African-Ameri...

One of my favorite films, Wim Winders' Wings of Desire , and a lesser knock-off ( City of Angels ) inspired me to practice a spiritual exercise which has helped me tremendously. In both films, angels who have assumed (from the viewer's perspective) human form live among real humans, observe our actions, and attempt to comfort us in times of sadness or confusion. Ironically (and unfortunately), neither film explores how God actually comforts those who follow Him. Still, in both films, key characters make this assertion: "I can't see you, but I know you're there (or here)." I can't see God, but I know He's here. From early years Sunday School lessons to readings of Brother Lawrence's The Practice of the Presence of God , some of us have struggled to remind ourselves of God's constant and unavoidable presence in every space and in every place. Reflecting on the message of both films, I created this practice and invite you to join me in i...