Let’s Talk About It!

“The New Jim Crow” Banned by New Jersey Prison System

sammyortiz — Tue, 09 Jan 2018 13:18:08 -0400

The New Jersey Department of Corrections has banned “The New Jim Crow” by Michelle Alexander. The book chronicles how people of color are not just locked up, but locked out of civic life. Let’s see how this plays out…

The Convergence of the Word and the Spirit

sammyortiz — Sat, 30 Dec 2017 13:32:31 -0400

I see a shift happening in 2018 amongst churches that would’ve been classified as “cessationists” begin to place more emphasis on the leading of the Holy Spirit in their services and daily life. Watch for it.

Tis the Season to Say Stupid Things

sammyortiz — Tue, 26 Dec 2017 18:59:15 -0400

We interrupt the discussion about what the church should be like to bring your attention to the blatantly racist comments made about immigrants. You can’t make this stuff up!

My Idea of the Ideal Church

sammyortiz — Fri, 22 Dec 2017 17:14:29 -0400

Here’s my take on what church should be like. Less spectators and more participants. Less fog machines and real Shekinah. Ideally what is described in 1 Corinthians 14:26 onward till the end of the chapter.

There Has to Be More to This!

sammyortiz — Mon, 18 Dec 2017 16:50:59 -0400

Yesterday as I was sitting at church, I said to myself, there has to be more to church than this. My longing for true spiritual community is gnawing at me. I want to be a part of a true spiritual community.

I’m Tired of This! A Talk with Pastor Drew Tucker

sammyortiz — Fri, 15 Dec 2017 17:12:37 -0400

Dave and I sit down with Pastor Drew Tucker and wrestle about the frustration amongst white evangelical leaders concerning the “talk” about racism in the church.

Allow me to introduce my co-host, Dave Saville

sammyortiz — Thu, 14 Dec 2017 14:44:52 -0400

Wanted y’all to hear from my new co-host Dave Saville and our plans for the future of this podcast.

So Glad Roy Moore Lost

sammyortiz — Wed, 13 Dec 2017 16:34:19 -0400

I’m so glad that Roy Moore lost last night. I believe that him joining forces with Donald Trump to “Make America Great Again” would have taken us back 50 - 60 years.

Stranger Talk: Nikki

sammyortiz — Tue, 12 Dec 2017 14:29:38 -0400

I asked another total stranger named Nikki what she thought about the current racial climate. Very insightful!

When Was the Last Time America was Great?

sammyortiz — Mon, 11 Dec 2017 12:20:12 -0400

Back in September, Roy Moore was asked by a black member in the audience at a campaign rally when he thought the last time America was great. Moore answered, “I think it was great at the times when families were united - even though we had slavery - they cared for each other. Our families were strong, our country had direction.”

Stranger Talk: Mannette

sammyortiz — Wed, 06 Dec 2017 16:21:29 -0400

I asked Mannette, a total stranger how she felt about the current racial climate. I really like her perspective.

Going From Monologue to Dialogue

sammyortiz — Tue, 05 Dec 2017 17:18:10 -0400

Starting this Thursday we will no longer be a monologue podcast with some interviews on the side. My friend Dave Saville will be joining me and bringing a new element to the show. I’m also looking for someone of Asian and African descent to add to the conversation.

Public Schools May Get Defunded

sammyortiz — Mon, 04 Dec 2017 15:33:52 -0400

Due to the passing of the GOP Tax Bill, public schools may get defunded. The bill creates a tax break for private schools but ends the break for public schools. In effect, the GOP is defunding public schools to fund private schools. This will tremendously impact the poor and marginalized.

Racism - The Elephant in the Room

sammyortiz — Sat, 02 Dec 2017 11:49:10 -0400

I don’t know why it is, but racism is a hard topic that is avoided like the plague. Today I saw a video of John Piper addressing “racial brokenness”. To my knowledge, he’s the only one addressing this issue. Regardless of how difficult it is, we need to deal with this. We will never have reconciliation until we have conciliation.

Implicit Racial Bias, Justice, and the Pursuit of Reconciliation with Darryl Williamson

sammyortiz — Fri, 01 Dec 2017 15:27:20 -0400

I got to interview Pastor Darryl Williamson and ask about his experience with implicit racial bias, what justice looks like, and how to pursue reconciliation. He gave great insight as he defines “implicit” and tells stories of what he has gone through.

In Denial About My Maturity

sammyortiz — Mon, 27 Nov 2017 22:26:46 -0400

There is something about the holidays that help reveal our inconsistencies and areas where we lack maturity. That what this past Thanksgiving revealed to me. Maybe you don’t deal with the things that I deal with, but I learned that I’m in serious denial about my maturity.

What It’s Like Being an Interracial Couple

sammyortiz — Fri, 24 Nov 2017 00:00:00 -0400

My wife and I speak about what it’s like being an interracial couple and the struggles we’ve gone through. While it’s more acceptable now, 29 years ago we would get mean looks and nasty comments.

“Waking Up White” with Clark Pfaff

sammyortiz — Tue, 21 Nov 2017 00:00:00 -0400

My dear friend Clark Pfaff talks about our journey as friends and when he first noticed that implicit racial bias exists even amongst Christians. Listen as he tells about a social experience that opened his eyes to what happens to people of color continuously.

Racism in the Church with Dave Saville

sammyortiz — Thu, 16 Nov 2017 23:19:11 -0400

I sat down at Starbucks with Dave Saville and spoke about his journey in confronting racism. This was fire as he tells stories about why conciliation and reconciliation matters to him.

Colin Kaepernick, GQ Magazine Citizen of the Year

sammyortiz — Tue, 14 Nov 2017 18:44:21 -0400

People are losing their minds over the fact that GQ Magazine selected Colin Kaepernick as Citizen of the Year. This is what happens when a person of color is vilified for standing up for what they believe.