Regional faith leaders in Oklahoma and Kansas have been working for more than three years to foster community conversations around white privilege, and how it plays into issues of racial justice in America. Now, that work is crossing international borders, with a United Church of Christ minister taking the training program to Germany. The Rev. … Continue reading White privilege curriculum goes international
Oklahoma
Using tragedy to fight opioids
ENID, Okla. — Gail Box, who recently was appointed to the board of Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, remains motivated daily by the untimely death of her son, Austin Box, who died of a prescription pain medication overdose on May 19, 2011. Box said Austin’s death was the culmination of a long … Continue reading Using tragedy to fight opioids
Climate change: Making Earth “bad but manageable” again
I admit it. I like post-apocalyptic drama. If you’ve seen one of these shows, you’ve seen them all. The remnants of humanity end up living in the raped wasteland that’s left of God’s creation, fighting among themselves over dwindling resources. These tales are a dark diversion in movies and the pages of novels. They’re far … Continue reading Climate change: Making Earth “bad but manageable” again
War letters recount a Marine’s fight in the Pacific
ENID, Okla. — Squire Utsler, of Enid, was barely out of high school when he enlisted and shipped out to fight in some of the bloodiest campaigns in the Pacific Theater of the Second World War. Daily letters home chronicled Utsler’s service, from the first day of boot camp on Aug. 18, 1943, until he … Continue reading War letters recount a Marine’s fight in the Pacific
Unity requires an honest view of history
Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018 will mark the 125th anniversary of the Cherokee Strip Land Run, the largest land run in history. The following post is a reprint of a column originally published Sept. 14, 2018 in the Enid News & Eagle in Enid, Oklahoma. “History is the version of past events that people have decided … Continue reading Unity requires an honest view of history
‘A generational fight’ — Protest organizer recalls desegregating Enid restaurants
This post originally ran as an article in the Sept. 4, 2018 edition of the Enid News & Eagle. It is the third article in a three-part series on sit-in protests and restaurant desegregation in Enid, Oklahoma. ENID, Okla. — On Sept. 4, 1958, 60 years ago today, Enid restaurant owners concluded a meeting with … Continue reading ‘A generational fight’ — Protest organizer recalls desegregating Enid restaurants
Lunch counter sit-ins: 60 years later, organizers recall desegregating restaurants
This package of two articles originally was published in the Enid News & Eagle, Enid, Okla., on Aug. 26, 2018, on the eve of the 60th anniversary of lunch counter protests that ended segregation in the city's restaurants and helped shape later civil rights protests throughout the South. ENID, Okla., Aug. 27, 2018 — Sixty years … Continue reading Lunch counter sit-ins: 60 years later, organizers recall desegregating restaurants
‘HELLFIRE AND BACK’ Desperation drives families to skirt law for medical marijuana
Oklahoma voters will consider medical marijuana in a state question on June 26. The following package of articles was written for the Enid News & Eagle in advance of that vote. The first article shares the stories of two families who have illegally brought medical marijuana to Oklahoma to treat loved ones, and why they … Continue reading ‘HELLFIRE AND BACK’ Desperation drives families to skirt law for medical marijuana
Turning failure into success
When Alton Carter was a child, surviving to adulthood was by no means a given. Surrounded by addiction, poverty, abuse and neglect, rising to be nationally-recognized success as an adult was beyond a long shot. But, Carter did overcome those barriers, and now spends his days speaking to schools, prisons, businesses and civic clubs about … Continue reading Turning failure into success
Facing our demon: Mental illness
This column originally was published May 11, 2018 in the Enid News & Eagle. The data surrounding the issue of mental illness in this column is specific to Oklahoma, but the general themes hold true for America in general. May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and few places need awareness of this issue more than … Continue reading Facing our demon: Mental illness
James R. Neal 