Christians use the Stations of the Cross to explore the meaning of Jesus’s crucifixion and death. Explore how his suffering connects with the suffering of those who face injustice and racism in America today. Then ask yourself, “How can I take up my cross in response?”

Does it traumatize you to hear the truths of Black American history? Are they too dangerous? Do we have to hide from them in fear? Or can we handle the truth in the stories of our nation’s history? A Martin Luther King Day reflection.

Black people have provided lessons in fortitude, character, and excellence that all Americans can benefit from. Attacks on diversity and inclusion discourage access to these stories. Here are some of the role models we can learn from, including Diane Nash and Medgar Evers.

This is the hardest article I have ever had to write. The second conclusion from my Civil Rights trip is that the treatment of Black people in American history was much uglier than most people know. From slavery to Jim Crow and beyond, the textbooks mostly downplay our ugly truths with language that misses the suffering behind the words. We cannot hide from the past any more than Adam and Eve could hide from God in the Garden. What was done must be acknowledged.

Everywhere you turn in American history, African American history is embedded in the story. Black History Month is not enough; we need to learn how Black history is intertwined with all of American history.

Betty Boynton was a 15-year-old "foot soldier" for voting rights in Selma. Every movement for justice needs foot soldiers. Are you one?

This Black businessman was a quiet leader in the Civil Rights era. His philosophy – find a need and fill it – is useful in difficult times.

Civil rights leader Rev. James Lawson was a masterful teacher who showed us how to practice nonviolence and love others as Jesus taught.