News with Nuance: April 25, 2025
Your Friday dose of News with Nuance: the week's biggest stories, unpacked + more ..
Hi Readers,
It’s a rainy day in April, and by the time you read this, my new book, Disciples of White Jesus, will have been out for a month! What a month it has been. I’ll have a few more reflections on this next week, but for now I will say that oftentimes writing a book feels a lot like the month of April in Minnesota.
The thing is that much of April is wet, windy, cold, and heavy with expectation of spring to come. But spring always takes longer to get here than we might hope. You know that these cool, rainy days will eventually bring bright flowering branches and green leaves and grass. For now, though, the world is brown and muddy and gray.
It takes a long time to write a book and get it into the hands of readers. And then there’s a lot of buzzy, initial excitement of launch events and early reviews. In my experience, though (and this a gift) the true flowering takes a little bit longer to come, as people dig into the book and work see how it impacts their lives and relationships. The stories of book studies and conversations take longer to trickle down. (You also end up waiting quite a while for any kind of real financial renumeration).
All that to say - I’m in that space of now where, it’s out in the world, the ideas are beginning to germinate and take root - and now we will see where the impact goes. I’m trying to rest for a moment in the work and not stress too hard that maybe it won’t be enough. Let’s let a little sunlight do its trick. And let’s get to the news … with nuance …
But hey - if you have read Disciples of White Jesus, would you consider leaving a review on Amazon or Goodreads? You don’t have to have purchased on Amazon to review there, but I’d very much appreciate it! Thanks so much.
The Headline: Rural Human Rights Defenders Face Serious and Growing Risks, UN Report Reveals
Photo by Christian Sierra, AFP via Getty Images
One of the themes of this newsletter is an attempt to highlight the stories of the people, many of them not celebrities, not wealthy or endowed with political power, who nonetheless live beneath the headlines, whose lives both impact major global stories and also are impacted by major global stories.
In this article from Inside Climate News, we read the stories of rural human rights and climate defenders, many of whom face political and violent repercussions for their work. Many of them are indigenous and dealing with the effects of poverty, racism, and prejudice. They don’t necessarily have access to clean water or safe places to live, and they face daily violent threats.
Yet they dedicate their lives to the cause of a greater global community. They understand the value of the earth, the land, the climate in ways many of us do not. Their bravery insists that the world pay attention.
The Quote:
Story by Katie Surma, Inside Climate News
The Headline: Is It Forensics or Is It Junk Science?
As I’ve been speaking more recently about masculinity and about Disciples of White Jesus, I’ve been talking often about how our over-reliance on so-called “hard sciences” and “data” has obscured the important role of narrative and story when it comes to finding solutions to social problems.
For example, in politics, we’ve elevated the role of wunderkind pollsters and data sciences, consultants, thinking that their wisdom is superior to the more nuanced and experience-honed political wisdom borne of relationships and listening across various parts of the country. The difference is that the first kind of work can be done from inside ideological bubbles and hermetically sealed homogeneous environments, often located near Ivy League universities, whereas the other kind of wisdom is formed, ideally, by experiences with all different kinds of people of all different kinds of backgrounds.
I say all this to introduce another example of this phenomenon, where a so-called “hard science,” based on “data” and easily referenced in courtrooms with demonstrations, charts, and graphs - has been over-utilized in criminal cases, impacting people who are accused’s access to freedom for decades, in some cases. This so-called science is often called “forensics,” but much of what makes it up has been revealed to be no more than “junk science” and conjecture, as this article makes clear. Furthermore, I think it’s important to note how we’ve tended to “gender” “hard” sciences and data vs “soft” sciences and narrative, and therefore we’ve prioritized the work of men, generally, over women.
The Quote:
When ProPublica has reported on junk science, we’ve found many common traits. They could include:
It has limited or no scientific evidence or research supporting it.
It is presented as absolutely certain or conclusive, with no mention of error rates.
Story by Sophia Kovatch, Pamela Colloff and Brett Murphy, ProPublica
Note: This was a 2023 ProPublica story that was updated with more analysis for April 2025.
A few more must-read stories since our last News with Nuance …
What It Means to Tell the Truth About America
She grew up believing she was a U.S. citizen. Then she applied for a passport.
Some Minnesota charter school leaders break rules to benefit themselves and avoid scrutiny
The Hidden Climate Costs of Exporting US Liquefied Natural Gas
Has America Reached the End of the Road?
Influential U of M public health professor resigns amid plagiarism allegations
Feeding Our Future’s political connections should serve as a warning to the DFL
Minneapolis encampments are largely gone. Have homeless people been driven into the shadows?
Lawmakers fear AI data centers will drive up residents’ power bills
Disciples of White Jesus: Tracking down those who are weaponizing radicalization and a masculine identity that’s dangerous for men and boys
Every edition in this section of the newsletter, we’ll look at stories from around the U.S. and the world that lift up the ways in which this trend of hawking radicalization and violence to young white men and boys (often in the guise of Christianity and conservative politics - with dog whistles of white supremacy) is leading to anger, chaos, disenfranchisement, and fear for everyone. You’ll notice that many of the storylines and main characters here overlap with my previous research (and this newsletter’s previous focus) on Christian Nationalism. You’ll also read stories of the impacts of this kind of messaging on ordinary men and boys who can’t measure up to this fabricated ideal: especially financially, in a global economy that’s emphasizing massive inequality and greed.
But don’t worry - because after this section - we’ll focus on stories of hope, ways masculine identity for young men and boys is being found in compassion, care, diversity, and - when it comes to Christianity - a story closer to the gospel of Jesus himself, rooted in truth, kindness, justice, and love.
This Edition:
This movement relies upon violent intimidation and threats.
The Supreme Court won’t revive a Minnesota ban on gun-carry permits for young adults
It also relies upon conspiracy theories that spawn fear and distrust
MN Republicans introduce vaccine criminalization bill drafted by Florida hypnotist
Cruelty and threats …
Rep. Tom Emmer refuses to rule out deporting U.S. citizens
And seeing human beings as a means to economic ends, whatever the environmental and quality-of-life costs for workers
More Than 60 Power Plants Exempted From Federal Mercury Limits
Trump Official Visits, Touts Alabama Coal Mine With Thousands of Federal Safety Violations
Women are expendable, seen as surrogate carriers of desirable men’s genes. Fathers are not expected to be involved parents, just genetic forebears.
The Tactics Elon Musk Uses to Manage His ‘Legion’ of Babies—and Their Mothers
People are vulnerable to these messages when real economic injustice is ignored
But that real grievance is distracted with appeals to racism and fundamentalism (Christian Nationalism)
Oklahoma House passes “Christ is King” resolution
And by conveniently naming marginalized and “other-ized” scapegoats to blame …
Afghan asylum seekers, members of Raleigh church, given a week to leave the U.S.
What federal contract data tell us about ICE spending in Minnesota
The “evidence” for blaming these scapegoats is based in lies and relies upon unreliable narrators, who are often the actual criminals
Trump’s Case Against Man Deported in “Error” Just Took Another Big Hit
So then the news cycle swings back to conspiracy theories and new scapegoats
RFK Jr. seeks 'environmental' cause of autism. Scientists say it's not that simple
RFK Jr. calls rising autism rate an ‘epidemic.’ Researchers call it a ‘good sign’
Minnesota Republicans elect a flat-earther to a party leadership post
Meanwhile, they champion law and order while breaking the law
U.S. human rights law likely violated in $6M payment for El Salvador prison, experts say
A U.S. national media too long committed to access journalism is ill-positioned to hold power to account
They create an environment ripe for “lone wolf” terrorist attacks often targeting historically oppressed groups and individuals, as well as political opponents. They use these attacks as excuses to continue to clamp down on individual liberties.
Shock, sadness and resolve in the wake of arson attack on Pennsylvania governor’s residence
Man accused of setting fire to Pennsylvania governor’s home denied bail
Global warfare continues to operate without historically observed rules of combat
They ban books and exert extreme control over the military
Who’s In and Who’s Out at the Naval Academy’s Library?
The cruelty is the point.
Trump Guts Agency Critical to Worker Safety as Temperatures Rise
They thrive in an atmosphere where the news media was already in a state of crisis and filled with people in jobs because of access and connections and wealth, rather than a commitment to speak truth to power
But, don’t miss the very real hypocrisy and fail to call out the contrast to the true story of Jesus
Meanwhile, they’re ending faith-based programs to resettle refugees …
Catholic Bishops End Refugee Aid Partnerships With US Government, Citing Funding Cuts
And naming apocalyptic Evangelical preachers to ambassadorships (ignoring the fact that this man’s belief system says all Jewish people are going to hell unless they convert?)
Mike Huckabee confirmed as US ambassador to Israel
Vatican ambassadorships are only for those who toe the Christian Nationalist line … even if it leads them to conflict with the Pope (may he rest in peace)
Brian Burch, critic of Pope Francis, to be vetted as Trump's Vatican ambassador
Which fits with this trend of “toxic” empathy
Loathe thy neighbor: Elon Musk and the Christian right are waging war on empathy
Responsible journalists are being forced out of national media
‘60 Minutes’ Chief Resigns in Emotional Meeting: ‘The Company Is Done With Me’
And telling the truth will cost you your government job
Justice Dept. suspends lawyer who acknowledged deportation was a mistake
Hopeful stories of a more excellent way forward for boys, men, and all of us:
As I mentioned at the top, it has been such a moving experience to meet so many of you out and about at events for Disciples of White Jesus. Here are a couple of photos from last night’s event at Lake Nokomis Lutheran. What a gift to be welcomed by my home congregation where I serve as Pastor of Visitation and Public Theology!
A note for local readers, I’ll be preaching this Sunday at Lake Nokomis at 10:45 a.m. and will have more books to sell and sign if you’d like to stop by!
I’ve continued to record several podcasts. Since our last News with Nuance, I’ve appeared on:
More to come!
Thanks to Eleanor Bader for this review on the New Pages blog
Upcoming Events
I’ll be staying closer to home for the next several weeks, especially as we move into Holy Week and Easter next week. But I do want to invite local MN readers to upcoming events:
APRIL 27, 10:45 a.m.
Preaching and Book Signing
Lake Nokomis Lutheran Church
Minneapolis, MN
APRIL 30, 6:30 p.m.
Twin Cities Presbytery Event
Disciples of White Jesus
Oak Grove Presbyterian Church
Bloomington, MN
MAY 18, 9:30 a.m.
Preaching + Forum
Lake Harriet United Methodist Church
Minneapolis, MN
Find a full list of upcoming events (adding more every day) at https://www.angeladenker.com/upcoming-events
Now more (non-book-focused) encouraging developments …
Walz is back speaking freely and truthfully about the state of our nation (and state)
And satire? From the New York Times? Long overdue.
And also I got to try my stab at a secular sermon for Easter Sunday in my hometown paper
Remembering that so many came before to witness to a more inclusive and braver American Christianity
And this vision of a Palm Sunday parade/protest march in Manila
Important to remember part of how we got here re: tariffs
Courageous judges: Judge: ‘Nothing has been done’ by Trump officials to return wrongly deported Maryland man
Lifting up these voices: Minnesota Democrats highlight ‘devastating’ potential cuts to Medicaid
More of this from the world of sports:
No evidence linking Tufts student to antisemitism or terrorism, State Dept. office found
In Win for Faith Groups, Federal Judge Rules Trump Must Begin Admitting Some Refugees
Pennsylvania Faith Groups Build Altar at ICE Office in Protest of Immigration Arrests
Why I’m a pastor who opposes a Ten Commandments bill
Painting contractor hit with Minnesota’s first wage theft conviction
Pentagon turmoil deepens: Top Hegseth aide leaves post
Must-Reads on Substack
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Thanks for reading,
Angela
A Few Notes:
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