The Current Spirit Garage book discussion is on Caste: The Origins of our Discontents, by Isabel Wilkerson. In this book, Wilkerson explores the idea of caste in America, laying it alongside the caste system in India and Nazi Germany. Published in 2020, this book appeared on many lists of the best books of the year.
Pulitzer Prize-winning author Isabel Wilkerson says racism is an insufficient term for the systemic oppression of Black people in America. Instead, she prefers to refer to America as having a “caste” system.
Wilkerson describes caste an artificial hierarchy that helps determine standing and respect, assumptions of beauty and competence, and even who gets benefit of the doubt and access to resources.
“Caste focuses in on the infrastructure of our divisions and the rankings, whereas race is the metric that’s used to determine one’s place in that,” she says.
We’ll split the book in three parts over three months, since there is plenty to talk about.
April 27th: Parts 1, 2 and 3 (through page 166)
May 25th: Parts 4-5 (Through page 360)
June 23rd: Parts 6-7 and Epilogue (Through page 496)
Oprah has a podcast about the book if you want even more.
And here’s an interview Terry Gross did with the Wilkerson.
This Sunday, come out back behind Squirrel Haus Arts for our Coffeehouse Style Church: Freedom, when we lay aside the normal elements of worship, and instead share a bunch of poetry and music around a theme. This month, the theme is “Freedom.” It is on the 4th of July, so it seems like a good time to contemplate freedom and see what the poets and songwriters and scripture have to say about that. Settle in to sacred thoughts about what freedom is, who is free, getting free, what freedom feels like, and more. Also online on Facebook Live and YouTube.
Bring a lawn chair if you have one. (If you don’t, we always have some chairs there). Other smart things to bring: Water, Umbrella for sun and rain, offering…
The Gospel According to The Indigo Girls is our second in a series of “Gospel according to…” worship services. Once a month, we highlight the music of one band, with a message that looks at the gospel messages contained within the song lyrics of that band.
Former Spirit Garage musicians Jason and Erin Deboer-Moran, and Erica and Ben Dolmar will grace the parking pad at Squirrel Haus Arts for this worship service, performing the music of The Indigo Girls.
A Different Lens:
A Little about Rev. Jenny Sung:
A Different Lens
Rev. Angela Khabeb
On August 15th, we’ll learn from Rev. Angela Khabeb, who serves as pastor at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church down the street near Lake Street. If you worked with the mutual aid efforts last summer, Pastor Angela was often working the line, laughing with people and keeping things light and fun. She is originally from Omaha, NE, but has also called home Chicago, Kenosha, WI, Denver, CO, Springfield, MO, and Namibia, Africa.