Category Archives: Racism

Car Theft and Ball Theft – A Story of Systemic Racism

Posted on June 2, 2020 by pastordavesimpson

Maybe this story of two incidents in the same week from my years as a Juvenile Probation Officer will help folks understand how structures and systems that perpetuate white privilege work, and why we need to work to change them: … Continue reading →

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Why This Pastor Speaks about Racism

Posted on June 1, 2020 by pastordavesimpson

On Facebook, someone asked me why I posted about racism. Isn’t it a pastor’s job to be uplifting? Here is my response (slightly edited) . . . Racism is evil, even demonic. If followers of Christ do not confront evil, … Continue reading →

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The Church and Charlottesville: Our Call to Confession and Clarity

Posted on August 14, 2017 by pastordavesimpson

(This is the end of a sermon preached at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church of Millersville. The text was John 3:16, and the first part emphasized God’s infinite and inclusive love for each of us and for the world, the kosmos … Continue reading →

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Black Lives Matter: A 21st Century Beatitude?

Posted on September 28, 2016 by pastordavesimpson

Jesus kicked off the Sermon on the Mount with the beatitudes. “Blessed are the poor in spirit . . .” A guy on the mount interrupted Jesus. “Hey! ALL lives are blessed!” Jesus ignored him. “For theirs is the kingdom of … Continue reading →

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Tamir: A Confession

Posted on December 29, 2015 by pastordavesimpson

I am complicit in your death, Tamir, and in the life-negating injustice which followed. I have never feared for my children’s safety in the presence of police officers. But police officers gunned you down as you played with a pellet … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Living, Christianity, Racism, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Poisonous Generalizations After – and Before – Chattanooga

Posted on July 18, 2015 by pastordavesimpson

It didn’t take long after the tragic shooting deaths of five Marines for the venomous voices of generalized hate to begin their bellow. The murderer was a Muslim. Therefore all Muslims are dangerous.  Facebook and Twitter feeds filled with anger.  Damn … Continue reading →

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HATE WON’T WIN – A Sermon After Charleston (Psalm 27:1-6)

Posted on June 22, 2015 by pastordavesimpson

Reverend Sharonda Coleman-Singleton. 45 years old Depayne Middleton Doctor. 49 years old. Cynthia Hurd. She would have been 55 years old today. Susie Jackson. 87 years old. Ethel Lance. 70 years old. Reverend Clementa C. Pinckney. 41 years old. Tywanza … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Christian Living, Christianity, Racism, Sermon | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Who Is My Neighbor (in Baltimore)?

Posted on April 29, 2015 by pastordavesimpson

But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” – (Luke 10:29) Who is my neighbor? That’s my question as I sit in the safe sanctuary of suburbia and view the havoc in Baltimore … Continue reading →

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Racism and White Privilege: Reflection and Confession

Posted on November 26, 2014 by pastordavesimpson

(NOTE: This post contains strong opinions and some strong language. Please keep in mind that this is my personal blog, and is not an official expression of my church or denomination.  Also, if the language bothers you more than the … Continue reading →

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Keeping Christ in White Christmas

Posted on December 13, 2013 by pastordavesimpson

“Jesus was a white man.” Megyn Kelly of Fox “News” asserted this as  “verifiable fact” in the midst of an asinine conversation about the ethnicity of Santa. When I heard about it,  I  posted a mini-rant on Facebook: Megyn Kelly … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Christmas, Racism | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment