7.17: Jesus Had Brown Skin

When we really take a moment to step back and think, it’s easy to agree that Jesus had brown skin because he was from the Middle East. If that’s the case, why is Christ so often depicted as white with light skin, hair, and eyes? In this episode we uncover the roots of white Jesus, explain the impact this depiction has made on us and our communities, and discuss why it’s important to use more accurate depictions of Christ in your home. First Name Basis Patreon Community Support First Name Basis and our mission to create anti-racist communities by joining our Patreon community! Members of our Patreon community come together once a month for a Q-and-A session or a Policy Party to learn more. For Q-and-A sessions, Patreon members ask me and my husband Carter their pressing questions about anti-racism, inclusion and what’s going on in the world. For Policy Parties, we invite community experts to help all of us take our values into our communities and make change to policies relevant to their area of expertise. Trust me, both of these added opportunities to learn are opportunities you don’t want to miss! To learn more about becoming a Patreon member, visit patreon.com/firstnamebasis. Articles, Studies & Podcasts Referenced In The Episode  First Name Basis Podcast, Season 2, Episode 24: “Cancel Culture Part 3: Removing Statues” First Name Basis Podcast, Season 2, Episode 15: “Diversity & Inclusion In LDS Art” “Where Did ‘White Jesus’ Come From?” On the Media podcast “‘Color of Christ’: A Story of Race and Religion in America,” Terry Gross interview with Edward Blum, NPR “How Jesus Became White And Why It’s Time To Cancel That” by Emily McFarlan Miller, Religion News Service “What’s The Difference Between Puritans and Pilgrims?” by Dave Roos, History.com “The Harlem Renaissance,” History.com “Colonel Henry Stanley Todd, The Priory, and the Nazarene” by Claudia S. Fortunato Psychologist Simon Howard from Marquette University “Dylann Roof Appeals Death Penalty in South Carolina Church Massacre” The Associated Press “Archaeologists In Turkey Believe They Are Digging Up The Original Santa Claus,” by Ephrat Livni. Quartz Megyn Kelly: Jesus & Santa Are White Song Credit: “Sleeper” by Steve Adams” and “Dive Down” by VYEN