In a rising tide of hate crimes—

OUR AUTHORS ARE PUBLISHING, TEACHING AND SPEAKING OUT FOR EQUALITY AND INCLUSION

COVER STORY—This week we are bringing you a special column by MSU School of Journalism Professor Joe Grimm, founder of the Bias Busters project, reporting on the rising tide of hate crimes focused on the most vulnerable among us. Please read this story and learn about how our authors are responding—including a link to an upcoming conference keynote address by Christian ethicist Dr. David Gushee that you could attend online. And, if this cover story is important to you, please take a moment to share a link to that story with friends online.

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From our authors—

Mindy Corporon:

Why We Continue to Confront Hate

ONE TRAGIC MILESTONE WE ARE MARKING across our community of authors is the upcoming 10th anniversary of the April 13, 2014, antisemitic murders in the Greater Kansas City area that claimed the lives of Mindy Corporon’s father and her son. That story is told in Mindy’s memoir Healing a Shattered Soul—along with the inspiring account of how Mindy transformed her trauma into a commitment to work for justice and to help others with long-term grief.

We all are pleased to see that Mindy was honored recently with the Civic Service Award by the Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy. The Kansas City Jewish Chronicle reported the news and included photos from the event. Congratulations Mindy from all of us on all of the good work you continue to do in our world.

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Jeffrey Munroe:

A Welcoming Response from ‘My’ Barnes & Noble

IN OUR FRONT EDGE PUBLISHING COLUMN, this week, Jeffrey Munroe writes about how “his” Barnes & Noble in Holland, Michigan, made him feel welcome as an author. Access to BN shelves has been a big challenge for authors who aren’t part of imprints from the Big Five companies that dominate commercial publishing. However, a dramatic change in BN management has led to welcoming new relationships in many BN stores—and Jeff found that was the case at the store close to his home, as well.

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And—Sharing Stories with the Great Philosopher Nicholas Wolterstorff

JEFF MUNROE recently had an opportunity to share stories with the widely acclaimed philosopher and theologian Nicholas Wolterstorff—and, through these ongoing exchanges, Jeff has gleaned a great deal of inspiration to pass along to readers.

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Holidays & Festivals

Happy Easter No. 1

It’s a $22-billion holiday for most Americans

WE ARE HEADLINING THIS ‘HOLY WEEK’ COLUMN by Stephanie Fenton with a reference to “No. 1” because Orthodox Christians will be celebrating more than a month later this year. Of course, as Stephanie reports, American culture—and merchandizing—focus on Western Easter. Stephanie’s column dives deeper than the eggs-and-chicks-and-chocolate to explore the rich array of Holy Week traditions marked by millions of Christians..

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‘Stopping by …’ Robert Frost’s poetry to mark his sesquicentennial

MARCH 26, 2024, marks 150 years since the birth of Robert Frost, an enormous influence on American culture. To mark the occasion, we have this special reflection.

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Muslims continue fasting in Ramadan

JOE GRIMM, DIRECTOR OF MSU’S BIAS BUSTERS brings us this overview of Ramadan, written especially for our non-Muslim readers who want to understand more about this worldwide observance.

AND STAY TUNED—The major end-of-Ramadan festival known simply as Eid is expected around April 9, although global variances of the Eid include Saudi Arabia’s early start on the holiday on Monday April 7.

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WANT TO SEE ALL OF THE UPCOMING HOLIDAYS & FESTIVALS?—It’s easy to find our annual calendar of global observances. Just remember the web address: InterfaithHolidays.com

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Click on this poster for the movie Cabrini to read Ed McNulty’s film review.

Faith & Film

Click on this snapshot from the cover of the March 2024 issue of Visual Parables Journal by faith-and-film critic Ed McNulty to learn more about this issue. Film reviews and discussion guides in this issue include American Fiction, The Zone of Interest, the Taste of Things and Perfect Days.

ED McNULTY, for decades, has published reviews, magazine articles and books exploring connections between faith and film. Most of his work is freely published. Ed supports his work by selling the Visual Parables Journal, a monthly magazine packed with film reviews and discussion guides. This resource is used nationwide by individuals who love the movies and by educators, clergy and small-group leaders.

Here are some of Ed’s most recent free reviews and columns:

• CABRINI—This film about “Mother Cabrini,” in Ed McNulty’s view, “is probably the best defense of immigrants that you will see in this or any year.”
• BOB MARLEY: ONE LOVE—Ed writes, “Director Reinaldo Marcus Green’s film focuses upon a couple of years of the singer/composer’s life, with flashbacks to his teenage years.”
• ORDINARY ANGELS—Ed recommends this faith-based drama.
• ARTHUR THE KING—”Simon Cellan Jones bases his new film on the book Arthur: The Dog Who Crossed the Jungle to Find a Home.”
• PERFECT DAYS—Ed urges us not to miss Wim Wender’s Oscar-nominated film.
• THE TASTE OF THINGS—Ed writes, “You do not have to be a Foodie to enjoy director Tran Anh Hung’s fabulous film about a French epicure and his female chef.”
• DRIVING MADELEINE—Ed writes, “For me it is a delightful visual parable on the rewards of kindness.“
• AMERICAN FICTION—“Jefferson’s film combines social satire with romantic comedy and is even a strong family drama—there’s something for just about everybody in this film.”
• THE ZONE OF INTEREST—Ed gives 5 stars to this unusual and haunting Holocaust drama.

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