Archive
A Pivotal Figure: Rev. Dr. Cecil L. Murray
Rev. Dr. Cecil L. “Chip” Murray was already a major force in Los Angeles when the 1992 civil unrest helped raise him to greater prominence. As pastor of First African Methodist Episcopal …
Old Problems, New Solutions
In 2012—two decades after the 1992 civil unrest—CRCC published “Forging a New Moral and Political Agenda” to track developments that had been uncovered in “Politics of the Spirit.” The networks and coalitions …
Memories of the Unrest
In 1965, the LAPD’s beating of a Black man—Marquette Frye—unleashed pent-up rage at police brutality and economic injustice in the city’s African American community, sparking the Watts Riots. Burned-out buildings from that …
Your Reflections: Memories & Lessons
The USC Center for Religion and Civic Culture asked faith and community leaders to share their reflections on Los Angeles’ 1992 Civil Unrest and the rebuilding efforts that followed. Watch them here …
Thirty Years Later: Remembering LA’s 1992 Civil Unrest and Reimagining Social Action
Like the tectonic fault lines that can suddenly release pent-up geological pressures, shaking the literal bedrock of Southern California, the cultural fault lines between groups with unequal political and economic power periodically …
Part Two: Forgiveness (Rituals for the Mind and the Heart)
Interdependence: the dependence of two or more people or things on each other; the quality or condition of being mutually reliant. Islamic death and burial rituals serve one main purpose: to remind …
Part One: Mercy to Creation (Body and Environment)
In the first ten days of the month of Ramadan, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ encouraged Muslims to focus on the quality of mercy. As we transition into this Ramadan, a period of …
Healing Heartwork Toolkit: Exploring Loss
Deepening our understanding of Islamic tools for healing, self-care and community care In response to the emerging needs of its fellows, AMCLI launched a series of Healing Heartwork Toolkits to provide Islamic …
Munther Isaac: What Would Jesus Do at an Israeli Military Checkpoint?
This article was originally published by Religion Unplugged, with the support of CRCC’s global project on engaged spirituality. BETHLEHEM— In the Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church in Bethlehem, a stained glass window depicting …
Why Activism Thrives in L.A.’s Black Churches
This article was originally published by Trojan Family Magazine. by Eric Lindberg; Photos by Gus Ruelas Many members of the Rev. Najuma Smith-Pollard’s church near downtown Los Angeles struggled for food during the …
LA Times: Nalika Gajaweera on How Buddhists Are Responding to Anti-Asian Violence
The March 16, 2021 killing of six women of Asian descent and two others brought Asian Buddhists together across lineages and communities to confront anti-Asian hate. A year later, the LA Times …
Student Reflection: Researching Healing Justice with Dignity and Power Now
By Addison Baker Addison Baker is an undergraduate student at The University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington. Addison spent time researching the Black Lives Matter movement, along with healing modalities and …
Construya su Riqueza – Guía de Recursos
¿Cuáles son sus metas de vida? El Centro de Participación Comunitaria Cecil Murray de USC realiza talleres para ayudarlo a construir su riqueza. Asista a un taller y encuentre la motivación, la …
Taizé: A Musical Monastic Community, Formed in Response to a Global Crisis, Faces New Ones
This article was originally published by America Magazine, with the support of CRCC’s global project on engaged spirituality. “Iedere nacht verlang ik naar u, o God” (My spirit yearns for you in the …
Banking Options
Sign up for CRCC’s Newsletter to find out about future webinars and programs on wealth building and financial empowerment. Black-owned Banks in Los Angeles One United One United offers checking and savings …
Finances for Seniors: Retirement, Estate Planning and Elder Fraud
Sign up for CRCC’s Newsletter to find out about future webinars and programs on wealth building and financial empowerment. USC Credit Union – Financial Education USC Credit Union provides information on retirement …
Ethnographic Journalism on Engaged Spirituality: Reflections and Lessons Learned
As part of the USC Center for Religion and Civic Culture’s project on Engaged Spirituality, I have been able to work on four in-depth profiles of “spiritual exemplars,” people who work to …
ABC7: Najuma Smith-Pollard on Black History Month
CRCC’s Rev. Dr. Najuma Smith-Pollard was interviewed on ABC7 News about Black History Month. “It’s about having the mindset of we and us, not just me and myself alone,” Smith-Pollard said. “Black …
For Covering and Joy: A Prayer for Black History Month
Najuma Smith-Pollard helped University of Southern California kick off Black History Month with a prayer for the university-wide event, “Black Joy: Embracing Health and Vitality.” Watch the prayer or read the full …
Community Storytelling for Policy Change: 30th anniversary of LA Civil Unrest
In times of turmoil, storytelling can be a catalyst for policy change as well as a symbol for healing and resistance. As we recognize the 30th anniversary of the Los Angeles Uprising, …