Ownership, Belonging & Dreaming America: Ben Sanders

Ownership, Belonging & Dreaming America: Ben Sanders

Author: Institute of Religion Politics and Culture, Amanda Henderson, Iliff School of Theology October 26, 2023 Duration: 22:13
Why is homeownership such an integral part of the American Dream? Why have some been systematically excluded from homeownership while others have been incentivized and subsidized to own their home? In this episode, Dr. Ben Sanders shares his family story of ownership and belonging from an experience as a Black American, as we continue to peel apart the myth of the American Dream.    Guest Bio  Ben Sanders, Ph.D is the Chief Equity Officer of the City of Denver. He is an Equity Professional/Consultant, Social Ethicist, Theologian, Passionate Servant-Leader, Change-Agent, Community Builder, and a Dad. Ben creates measurable and effective, equity-centered systems, processes, and policies that help companies, communities, and organizations optimize and achieve their missions and goals.   Want to Learn More? NBC News: The American Dream while Black: ‘Locked in a Vicious cycle’: Homeownership is supposed to be the gateway to the American dream. Black Americans have been denied access – https://www.nbcnews.com/specials/american-dream-while-black-homeownership/ NAACP: the home of grassroots activism for civil rights and social justice. We advocate, agitate, and litigate for the civil rights due to Black America. In our cities, schools, companies, and courtrooms, we are the legacy of W.E.B. Du Bois, Ida B. Wells, Thurgood Marshall, and many other giants –  https://naacp.org/ Homeownership rates by Race: https://usafacts.org/articles/homeownership-rates-by-race/   Want to Take Action? Donate to NAACP: https://naacp.org/resources/reparations Donate to advancing Black Homeownership: https://www.habitat.org/our-work/advancing-black-homeownership https://www.dearfieldfund.com/ https://downpaymentresource.com/homebuyer-resource/highlighting-homebuyer-assistance-programs-for-black-homebuyers/#:~:text=The%20Dearfield%20Fund%20for%20Black,through%20affordable%20and%20sustainable%20homeownership.  Facing Race: A National Conference: https://facingrace.raceforward.org/   Sign up for Complexified Newsletter: https://complexified.substack.com/ Help Make Complexified Happen - Donate here https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E345509&id=75 Contact us: email complexified@iliff.edu Complexified Website:  https://www.complexified.org/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Complexified is a conversation that starts from a simple, uncomfortable truth: the forces of faith and power are woven into the fabric of our everyday existence, from kitchen tables to courtrooms. Hosted by Amanda Henderson of the Iliff School of Theology and presented by the Institute of Religion Politics and Culture, this podcast deliberately steps into the tangled intersections where belief systems meet policy, cultural norms, and social strife. We move beyond superficial debates to examine how these deep structures actually function, why certain problems feel so immovable, and where the possibilities for genuine movement might lie. Each episode is an effort to untangle a specific, knotty issue, listening for the underlying narratives and historical currents that often go unspoken. The goal isn't to provide easy answers but to foster a more nuanced comprehension, the kind required for meaningful engagement rather than repeated conflict. Tuning into this podcast means joining a rigorous yet accessible exploration of our shared life, acknowledging the complexity so often glossed over in public discourse. It’s an invitation to think more deeply about the roots of our divisions and the potential pathways forward, grounded in the conviction that clearer understanding is a necessary first step toward any durable change.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 97

Complexified
Podcast Episodes
Land of the Violent [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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As bodies were burning from this massacre at the Mystic River in Massachusetts in 1637, pious settlers gave thanks to God for the victory- and even identified that the bodies burning were a “sweet-smelling savor in the n…
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Stealing Land in the Name of God [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:34
Amanda Henderson and Steven Newcomb discuss the Doctrine of Discovery and the ways in which religion has impacted the social and political frameworks amongst Native nations and the United States government. In this conve…
The Bible is a Book about Land [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:57
Amanda and Amy dive into the complex relationship between land ownership and belonging in the US, drawing on biblical interpretations. Amanda emphasized the significance of land in shaping political and religious beliefs…
BONUS Episode: LIVE! Why Ban Drag? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:25
Last month, we had our first live audience recording of Complexified! Amanda Henderson and Lex Dunbar welcomed Denver Drag Performers Juiccy Misdemeanor and Dixie Krystals for a provocative conversation confronting the e…