Exploring the Roots of Violence: E.L. Kornegay
In this episode, we talk with Dr. E.L. Kornegay, founder of the Baldwin-Delaney Institute for Academic Enrichment and Faith Flourishing, about searching to the roots of violence in our communities.
Using insights derived from the writings of James Baldwin, Kornagay explores the creative and destructive force of rage - the energy that drives much of today's politics.
In our conversation, Kornegay outlines his belief that economic and social conditions can condition young people to feel rage, and that this rage can be expressed destructively, through violent behavior, or constructively through deep, transformative social action.
Kornegay does not believe rage is always negative, but sees in it the creative potential for shaping new thoughts and new behaviors. Through his work at the baldwin-Delaney Institute, Kornegay is developing tools for violence eradication, and he talks about this work in our interview.
EL Kornegay is also the author of the book A Queering of Black Theology: James Baldwin's Blues Project and Gospel Prose.
This conversation is part of the research the Chicago Sunday Evening Club is doing for their new PBS documentary, which will explore violence in Chicago, and the role of faith communities in healing the damage done by violence. The documentary is scheduled to air this April on WTTW, the Chicago PBS affiliate.
