Photo by Episcopal Diocese of Southwest Florida

By Joy Wong

Gender stereotypes pertaining to women have often been upsetting to me, especially in the ways that I did not fit into them. I distinctly remember a time when a male elder in our church said something to the effect that “all women were talkative and gossipy” and I was highly offended — especially because I myself am quite the opposite. In fact, most of our friends know that my husband is the more talkative one, and more interested in gossip too! In jest, I often dub him as a “gossip boy,” my spin on the coined term “gossip girl.” Continue Reading »

Photo by Travis Simon

By Emi Iwanaga

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. –Luke 2:7

Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne…And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God. –Revelation 5:6-7,16 Continue Reading »

Photo by Giuseppe Milo

By Jerrica KF Ching

I view gender as an aspect of one’s culture and one’s self-identity. Gender is multi-faceted, and comes complete with biases, prejudices, and everything in between. In an article by Tinkler, Zhao, Li, and Ridgeway (2019), social invisibility is described as certain behaviors that are generally less seen, heard, or recalled. Social invisibility can work in both positive and negative ways; those who are viewed as socially invisible may not face criticism from others, but they also may not be noticed for helpful contributions.

Additionally, the authors go on to propose that for Asian Americans, both men and women are stereotyped as more feminine and nonaggressive compared to White men and women. Continue Reading »

Photo by Sonny Abesamis

By Melanie Mar Chow

I am thankful for the new beginnings of another year of life and ministry. As we begin the AAWOL blog for February in the still-new 2020 year, the focus is based on yet another new set of themes. The newest book by AAWOL founder, Young Lee Hertig, titled The Tao of Asian American Belonging: A Yinist Spirituality will supply our blog themes for the rest of the year. Continue Reading »

Photo by Theo Crazzolara

By April Yamasaki

“Fiat justitia, ruat caelum” – Let justice be done though the heavens fall.

When my husband was in law school, this Latin quote was prominently displayed at the front door of the university’s law school building. The ancient roots of this quotation are unclear, but the meaning is unmistakable: Justice is to be done whatever the consequences, even if the heavens should fall. Continue Reading »

Photo by Guido Soraru

By Casey Iwanaga

There’s no such thing as justice
Well not complete justice
Justice is a word that doesn’t exist by itself
Along with it comes hypocrisy, jealousy and revenge
God is just
Just not just the way we hope
Not just the way we think
And not just when we want
God is purely just
Uncorrupted by jealousy and revenge
Perfect in his very existence Continue Reading »

Photo by torbakhopper

By Ajung Sojwal

The yearning to comprehend justice is particularly poignant this season after Christmas, having heard bold proclamations from the Prophet Isaiah like, “His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forever more” (Isa.9:7). As I examine our general sense of justice, I am increasingly unsure if any human being or any profession truly understands what justice is. I find that the older I get, the more I am ready to toss out my imaginations of justice. I am coming to terms, rather sorrowfully, that justice — that is, the kind prophets dare to proclaim — continues to be an apocalyptic imagination. Continue Reading »

Photo by Irina Gheorghita

Presented by Angela Ryo

Jesus’ greatest longing, like that of the prophet Micah, was for the coming of God’s reign on the earth—that day in which God’s justice and love would permeate this earth as it does heaven. He also taught us to pray for God’s Kingdom to come. As we start out the new year, I would like to pray the prayer Jesus has taught us to say as adapted from “The Holy Longing” by Ronald Rolheiser: Continue Reading »

Photo by Blondinrikard Fröberg

By Diana Kim

I text you randomly, sometimes late in the evening, asking if you are available to meet.
We rally at a local diner and order a few items off their menu to justify our taking up space.
An appetizer. A cup of coffee. A dessert item.
Once we have been situated, I let out my frustrations from the day and the week.
I let out my frustrations that made me so upset I could not hold it in any longer, that I needed to call you that I might share with someone.
I complain about work and how I find the workplace so toxic. I complain about the messed up family situation I am in. I complain about life. Continue Reading »