Culture Clasher

BET Dishonored Jackson's Legacy

BET has never been one of my favorite networks, but when it announced that it would change its awards show at the eleventh hour, working overtime as a labor of love, to pay tribute to the King of Pop, I had to tune in. And though there were a number of times I wanted to tune out, I did not, hoping that it would get better. I am sad to report that it never did.

Michael Jackson: Solomon Sans Wisdom

Michael Jackson is dead at 50. And that's the end of it. On a day already made gloomy by the death of actress Farrah Fawcett, the King of Pop's earthly reign came to an end.

And while I'm devastated for his family, mourning alongside countless fans around the world, my heart is mostly numbed by the news. After hours of watching media coverage of Michael's death -- the replaying of his music videos, the reaction interviews with celebrities, and the speculation over what will happen with his children and multi million-dollar estate -- I am empty.

Miracles in Rwanda

Usually it's the book that inspires the movie, but in the case of author Catherine Claire Larson's As We Forgive: Stories of Reconciliation from Rwanda, it was the other way around. The book, a gripping exploration of the aftermath of the 1994 Rwandan genocide and the miracle of forgiveness, is a literary extension of Laura Waters Hinson's award-winning 2008 documentary of the same name.

Obama at 100

Today marks President Barack Obama's first 100 days in office. Over the past few months, we've witnessed bailouts, stimulus bills, budget battles, Korean rockets, gangbanging pirates, Michelle's arms, a dog named Bo, and most recently an international outbreak of swine flu. Given the magnitude of issues facing our nation right now, 100 days seems hardly enough time to measure a presidency.

Still, right or wrong, we view those initial 100 days as the first significant benchmark of a U.S. president's effectiveness. And there clearly are important things that we can glean about the man from watching his progress out of the gate. That's why we asked a variety of urban pastors and ministry leaders to share their impressions of our new president on the occasion of his 100th day. Read their critiques, and then let us know what you think.