Maybe the Alt-Right is Right: The Futility of the Dream

January 15, 2018 By Posted by Editor

“We insist that “diversity” is a great strength, but for most (white) Americans this is mere lip service. They rarely seek diversity inter personal lives, living instead in homogeneous islands that look nothing like the cultural mix this country has become. Anti-discrimination laws ensure integration at work, at school, and in public but …a dinner party, poker game, wedding reception, church service or backyard bbq is rarely a multi-racial mosaic…If, generation after generation, Americans tend to segregate themselves, is... Read more

Confessions of a Medicaid Mom

June 23, 2017 By Maria Dixon Hall

When my husband and I were signing the documents to adopt our three children from foster care, we didn’t realize we were becoming Medicaid parents. (more…) Read more

To Bind the Wounds: 3 Millennials write the Trump Inaugural Address

January 19, 2017 By Maria Dixon Hall

One of the things I love about my day job is the joy of watching my students surprise themselves with their own gifts and talents. I also adore the fact that our Corporate Communication and Public Affairs program is the home to some of the most successful political, corporate and non-profit strategic communicators in America. In every White House since George H.W. Bush, in congressional offices on both sides of the aisle, in think tanks, policy groups, and the RNC... Read more

It’s Complicated: The Bishop and Eddie Long

January 15, 2017 By Maria Dixon Hall

Today, daddy died. He would laugh to hear me call him that after all these years. Especially since I swore, I would never, ever, call him that name that he loved so much. I said at the time, “I refuse to play into Eddie’s “daddy” complex.” But today, daddy is dead. (more…) Read more

In the year that Hillary lost I saw the Lord: Christmas, HRC, and Hope

December 21, 2016 By Maria Dixon Hall

Since November 8th, like many people of my political ilk, I have been in a funk. I haven’t watched the news since that night nor have I read anything other than twitter. My tv shows have consisted of Paw Patrol, Peppa Pig, and Bob’s Burgers (and yes, How to get Away with Murder). I refused to watch anything that would remind me remotely of what was happening in reality. I needed a world where there was fidelity and coherence in... Read more

Mama’s Boy: A Birthday letter to my black son

September 22, 2016 By Maria Dixon Hall

Tiger: I hated missing you wake up on your first birthday in your forever home. You know how I love coming in your room, tickling your tummy, and giving you tiger kisses on special days. I would have loved to have seen your happy farmer dance or today’s birthday Beyonce Ballet. But in a sad way, I wonder if you are kinda glad that mommy is not home this morning. It has been tough, hasn’t it buddy? Mom’s been intense,... Read more

After the morning after: Taylor Swift, United Methodists, and West Coast Heartbreak

July 16, 2016 By Maria Dixon Hall

Sometimes I realize that I have underestimated the impact that my parents’ divorce has had on my view of the world, particularly regarding relationships. Studies show that children of divorce are prone to one of two extremes: they become obsessed with the rules and commitments governing a relationship, or they become very nonchalant about commitments—when the relationship doesn’t work, it just doesn’t work, so let’s move on. I must admit, I am the former. Relationships are important to me. I... Read more

Midnight in Dallas: What’s going on?

July 8, 2016 By Maria Dixon Hall

Mother, mother There’s too many of you crying Brother, brother, brother There’s far too many of you dying You know we’ve got to find a way To bring some lovin’ here today, eheh What’s Going On-Marvin Gaye I was a little girl when I first heard this song. I was a 50-year-old woman when I first wept over this song late into the midnight hour. My city is under siege. The police are hunting for two gun men who... Read more

Progressives Playing with Fire: Mad Methodists, Berners, & the Myth of Prophetic Arson

May 18, 2016 By Maria Dixon Hall

It could be that after three days with the combo of strep throat and the flu, my fever finally broke. It could be that the end of the semester is finally here. It could be that now that Scandal isn’t coming back on for at least 6-8 months, I can pay more attention. Whatever it is, why ever it is, Here it is: I AM TIRED OF ALL YOU PROGRESSIVE BULLIES. Berners, Bernistas, Methodists with an Agenda, all of you.... Read more

A Half Century of Being Black in America: A letter to my children

February 16, 2016 By Maria Dixon Hall

My babies: Today, I turn 50 years old. I have just come from turning off your lights, placing Doc McStuffins in the bed, and fretting over if this will be a ‘dry night’. I can’t believe that I am writing this to you. Just three months ago, you weren’t in my life. You were a prayer, myth, and point of incompletion. Your absence somehow seemed to be an indictment of my ambition and drive toward excellence. My punishment for listening... Read more