Cynthia Wilson, affectionately dubbed “Chaplain of Pop” has built a bridge between theology and popular culture as a blogger for twenty years providing commentary on faith,art, politics and music. Listen to her podcast by clicking the web version link at the bottom of this blog and at the top of the web version after the jump.
Every wednesday I lift up a blog post from my archives that may or may not be listed in the featured posts line up found in the far right hand column of this blog. Last week’s post was on Alicia Keys, highlighting her performance at the 2021 Billboard Awards and a lift up by former First Lady Michelle Obama. This week I go all the way back to 2008 when Barack Obama was running for election and a number of musical artists got together and compiled an album entitled “Yes We Can:Voices of a Grassroots Movement” to promote his historic run for the White House. Click on the image in the Photo Story column in the upper right hand column of the blog to read more about it. You may also find the post by clicking on the link below:
The president successfully overcame the student loan conundrum that resulted from the Supreme Court’s earlier decision this year striking down his prior Executive Order which granted $20,000 dollars of loan forgiveness to eligible student borrowers.
WNBA star, player for the Phoenix Mercury, Brittany Griner’s Russian ordeal is finally over. She is happily on a flight and on her way home from Russia. She was found guilty on drug charges and what many considered harshly and unjustly sentenced to 9 years in a desolate Russian Prison camp several months ago.
Her family and others concerned were alarmed about unsafe and unhealthy conditions in the camp that they feared posed a danger to her life.
The questions that many Americans as well as her fans around the world have had about why it has taken so long to negotiate any workable deal to get her home, can now end. Thanks to God, the Biden Administration and Brittany’s family and caring friends, she is out of a cell and free from that experience.
The conversation will undoubtedly now turn to the behind the scenes negotiations involved in the prisoner swap that was instrumental in securing Griner’s release. The prisoner exchanged for Brittany is Russian arms dealer Victor Bout. It has been reported that he is a prisoner that the United States was extremely reluctant to release. In addition, the fact that there is a war raging on between Russia and Ukraine likely complicated matters making the negotiations process even more complex. Credit skillful negotiations for that feat.
The Biden administration is being deservedly praised for the success of the negotiations. Biden has committed to seeing that every US citizen unjustly detained in foreign lands is released and their families made whole. That would include Mr. Paul Whelan who has been locked up in Russia on espionage charges for 4 years.
Biden has been on a roll with a string of successes that include the recent midterm election results.
Expressions of gratitude for Griner’s successful release were extended to President Biden, Vice President Harris and Biden’s entire administration as well as to the many others including the Griner family.
Please pray for Brittany’s traveling grace, that she may safely reach American soil and be reunited with her family and friends while enjoying the love, peace and joy of this holiday season. Also pray that those who still remain in foreign custody unjustly will be soon released.
Today, Friday, April 23, 2021, we recognize the importance of keeping on track of the notable developments in our society including politics and culture. These are the latest political news, art and culture events of the week by category that are impacting our nation.
Below is a video of President Biden acknowledging the atrocity against Armenians that amounted to genocide. This marks the first time that this event involving ‘mass killings’ had ever been formally acknowledged by any other President in our nation’s history. To watch the video click the View Web Version at the bottom of this page.
This acknowledgment is perhaps more timely than we know in light of atrocities that are currently taking place in Myanmar and other hot spots of war, civil unrest and political upheaval. There have been public outcries concerning killing sprees that are not being monitored sufficiently by local or National authorities nor intervened into pursuant to United Nations policies or protocols, particularly in Myanmar.
Let us keep those regions and the leadership entities responsible for protecting human lives and human rights through monitoring and peace keeping missions lifted in prayer.
During the wee hours of this morning Senate Democrats were busy at work on the 1.9 Trillion pandemic relief package proposed by President Joe Biden which includes provisions for a $1,400 payment to individuals, $400.00 per week federal unemployment benefit, $350 billion for state and local governments, a minimum wage increase to $15.00 per hour and more money for child care, schools and vaccine distributions. The budget resolution passed the Senate in a 50-50 party-line vote which will allow Democrats to pass coronavirus relief without Republican support. Voting was very close. In fact, Vice President Kamala Harris cast her first official vote as a Senate tie breaker at 5:30 a.m. tipping the scales for Democrats at least at this stage. Since changes were made to the resolution it will go back to the US House of Representatives where lawmakers will need to pass it for a second time.
Senate approval of the budget resolution followed a vote-a-rama that lasted from 2:30p.m. on Thursday and ended at 5:30 a.m Friday morning. By the way there were a grand total of 800 amendments that had been filed as of Thursday night.
Good to see progress being made on coronavirus relief. Keeping the entire voting process lifted up in prayer. Many are waiting on congress to get this accomplished so that they can get tangible assistance in hand.
“No good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit , for each tree is known by its own fruit.”Romans 6:43
It is really good to see President Obama back on the scene again. It has been comforting to listen to his level-headed responses in interviews about his latest book, A Promised Land. His long awaited weigh in on the current administration’s policies and reactions to crises these past four years is a needed salve for the country, as we heal from the emotional distress caused by uncertainties of a global pandemic and social ills compounded by the Trump administration. The timing couldn’t be better now that the Democrats have won back the White House with another historic ticket-a black woman serving as Vice President and his own Vice President elected now as President. The signs couldn’t be more auspicious for getting the country back on track.
