White Jesus Loves You
Posted by Troy | Filed under Faith, Thoughts
Over the last 600 years, Jesus’s skin has grown fairer and fairer.
(I can’t be 100% certain, but I’m pretty sure he doesn’t have that Michael Jackson thing)
Today it’s pretty rare to see anyone’s vision of Jesus that doesn’t look like he’s originally from Wisconsin.
I’ve always wanted to make a serious mock-umentary (is that an oxymoron?) about Jesus and his humanity.
I’m working on a client project now that has at it’s center a mission to create a dialogue around racism and its effects in order that the conversation (especially the listening) might lead to understanding for some and healing for others.
In the midst of it I’m wondering how “White Jesus” has affected those of non-Caucasian decent.
How has it affected you?
The Grunge Movement
Posted by Troy | Filed under Art/Design, Books, Culture, Music
I spent my freshman year of college at Bob Jones University (it’s a long story for another post) – the world’s bastion for conservative Christian fundamentalism.
When I say “conservative” I mean it… these guys call Billy Graham and Jerry Falwell liberal…
Within a few weeks I was confronted by my dorm supervisor… brought into a private meeting.
I think he was trying to tread lightly, since they have so many culturally-sheltered students when he asked me…
Tags: 90s, Culture, Music, photography
Evangelicals for Legal Pot
Posted by Troy | Filed under Culture, Humor
I almost always love the Diane Rehm Show.
Last week I caught a really interesting segment in which she and her guests discussed medical marijuana. If you’ve got time I’d really recommend listening.
Apparently I got cancer in the wrong decade…
Throughout the segment though, it became very clear just how unclear this issue is… really murky and muddled, even when legal.
Seemed like most of the show’s guests agreed that legalizing marijuana would really be the best solution… quite often comparing its current taboo status to prohibition.
I’ve never smoked pot and never had strong feelings about it in any way… but as a cancer survivor I’m always intrigued when this issue is up for discussion.
And here’s something you don’t see everyday, an article calling for evangelicals to rally around the cause of legalizing marijuana in an attempt to remove the political weight that comes from the stigma of the drug.
I can see it now… Rick Warren throwing the first annual ELP (Evangelicals for Legal Pot) conference.
Tags: Cancer, Culture, drugs, medicine, religion
Is Capitalism a Sin?
Posted by Troy | Filed under Culture, Film, Traverse City
My sister shared today’s note from Michael Moore.
I like Michael Moore.
- He is a Traverse City neighbor
- He is funny
- He cares enough to say something
- He challenges people
- He respects others who earnestly seek justice (even if they disagree)
Of course the question he raises in the note (and apparently at some point in his newest film) is a provocative one (what else?):
Is Capitalism a sin?
Now at this point, people are already writing their blog post comments in their head (just as he hoped) quick to point out how Mike might be using certain particulars of his faith only when they happen to support his agenda du jour…
But that’s not really what he’s doing at all.
Michael Moore knows that question can’t be answered.
His films are never about black and white, I’m right-you’re wrong…
They are intended to make you doubt… to start asking yourself questions… to consider…
Because without doubt… where would I be?
If I just follow someone or some system… economic, political, religious, relational…
Then I’m merely a cog… a tool being used by that particular system and those that run it.
If I doubt however… If I question the system… If is say “Is this right?” or “Is this wrong?” even if those questions can’t be answered with a simple “yes” or “no” then I’m no longer being used by the system…
Instead of a cog, I’m a compass… or a refining fire… or a strong ingredient that somehow makes the whole thing smell less toxic and more intoxicating…
Salt, perhaps.
P.S. If the trailer doesn’t make you want to see his movie today… you must have some sort of super-power resistance to fantastic and effective advertising… and M.I.A.
Tags: Culture, Film, michael moore, politics
Yipes!
Posted by Troy | Filed under Thoughts
Mascots freak me out man… Especially the cheap ones that you bump into at the county fair or the supermarket.
Funny thing is… I’ve always thought that I’d make a great mascot. Like one of those NBA guys that you see launching off the mini-trampolines to the raucous cheers of thousands. I remember as a kid I saw that the Chicago Bulls were casting for their mascot “Benny.” Of course I loved the Bulls and thought this must be the absolute perfect job for me (besides “video-game-tester” of course).
I’m not sure what the attraction is… Maybe the very same thing that draws me to graphic arts. I could be standing next to someone admiring my work, with no idea that I was the artist behind it all… like my work is some kind of costume that I wear… my very own cartoony character that others identify with and understand and trust.
Tags: Culture, original illustration, self, Thoughts
My first post is about Michael Jackson’s Socks?
Posted by Troy | Filed under Parenting
I’ve been planning this blog for a while, and never would have imagined my first post would be about Michael Jackson.
Michael hasn’t played a huge role in my life, but in light of recent events, he’s been pacing moonwalking back and forth in my mind.
Of course he’s always kind of been there…. Part of my soundtrack I guess, even though I’d probably never think to include him. He’s seemed to pop in and out of my life when I least expect it, and for some reason my memories of him are different than everyone else’s.
Sure, the historic Motown 25 moonwalk is etched in my mind just like everyone else, along with the entire Thriller video and less attractive visions of his trial, etc.
But I’ve always connected with different moments… things like my teenage obsession with the Jackson 5, his almost-totally-forgotten video for “Jam” (featuring Michael Jordan, Heavy D, and a brief but awesome cameo from Kriss Kross), or the Pepsi commercial with Carlton from Fresh Prince (if only Alfonso had gotten Michael to do the “Carlton” Dance)
One of my most vivid memories though… is his socks. Not the pair he happened to be wearing, but the replicas that I could be wearing…
I remember standing in the aisle in Sears looking up at them… like a beacon of shining light amidst a sea of Lee jeans.
But of course I was too embarrassed to admit to my parents my desire for such fancy footwear…. I’m not sure why, they probably would have considered it cute.
It makes me wonder… what parts of themselves might my own kids fear revealing to me?
They seem pretty honest and transparent… but perhaps there is more inside… perhaps they don’t know how anything they say or do or enjoy is fascinating and adorable to me…
Guess I’ll just keep my sensors on for any signals they might send… bracing myself for encouraging words post I-want-to-be-a-cheerleader revelation… or a request to turn on the country station (or pretty much any radio station)… or…
