Healing Racial Division Through Art, Lament, and Empathy - w/ Micah Bournes

Jun 5, 2017

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How spoken word can confront injustice, build bridges of understanding, and bring healing to a broken church. In this inaugural conversation in the Art of Race series, Mike and Andy sit down with acclaimed spoken word artist and culture critic Micah Bournes to explore how race, faith, and art intersect in powerful, transformative ways. Micah brings compelling storytelling, prophetic insight, and grace-filled truth-telling about what it's like to grow up Black in America, walk through predominantly white institutions as a young man of faith, and still keep hope in Jesus's vision for a unified church.

From personal encounters with systemic injustice to unflinching critiques of evangelical theology and culture, Micah challenges listeners to think deeply about white privilege, structural racism, and performative diversity in the church. Through it all, he models a radically honest but hope-filled path forward—one rooted not in tokenism or superficial unity, but in consistent community, shared power, and a theology shaped by the voices too often left out of the conversation.

Key Takeaways: • The Difference Between Prejudice and Racism – Micah unpacks why intention matters but doesn’t erase impact, and how understanding privilege requires deeper nuance. • White Theology and Culture as Normative – How seminary, Christian publishing, and church traditions often center white male perspectives, and what’s lost in the process. • Superficial vs. Substantive Diversity – Why bringing in a gospel choir once a year doesn’t equal inclusion, and how to move toward authentic representation in church leadership and community life. • The Power of Storytelling and Spoken Word – Why poetry is uniquely effective at confronting hard truths, opening doors for empathy, and creatively reimagining justice. • Why Jesus is Still Worth Following – Despite being harmed by church culture, Micah remains committed to Jesus and the radically inclusive, justice-driven vision of the Kingdom of God.

Guest Highlight: Micah Bournes – A poet, musician, and dynamic communicator who uses storytelling and spoken word to challenge cultural norms and illuminate God’s heart for justice and reconciliation. A frequent performer and community presence, Micah brings authenticity and prophetic imagination that offers both critique and healing.

Resources Mentioned: • Micah Bournes Website and Videos • Micah Bournes on Bandcamp • Micah Bournes on Instagram – @micahbournes

Don’t miss Micah’s poem “Stealing Bread” at the end of the episode—a gut-wrenching piece on systemic injustice, empathy, and survival told through the lens of a young man incarcerated for trying to help his family.

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We're on YouTube (if you're into that kinda thing): VOXOLOGY TV.

Our Merch Store! ETSY

Learn more about the Voxology Podcast

Subscribe on iTunes or Spotify

Support the Voxology Podcast on Patreon

The Voxology Spotify channel can be found here: Voxology Radio

Follow Mike on Twitter: www.twitter.com/mikeerre

Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford

Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy