John Blake - Senior Writer, CNN Digital
John Blake
Senior Writer, CNN Digital
John Blake is a native of Baltimore, Maryland. He writes about race, religion, politics and other assorted topics.
Latest
After their son came out, this conservative Christian couple went into a closet of their own
Nov 5, 2024
Greg and Lynn McDonald kept quiet about their son’s sexuality for years as they struggled to reconcile their faith with their love for their child. Now, after a long and emotional journey, they are speaking out
Kamala Harris is tapping into the Black Joy movement
Aug 25, 2024
It’s not just joy. Kamala Harris is tapping into a movement called “Black Joy.” Led by artists and activists, it aims to create a joy “that no White man can steal.”
Many women stay in religious groups that don’t let them become leaders. Here are three reasons why
Jul 15, 2024
Why do millions of women belong to religious groups like the Southern Baptist Convention that do not treat them as equal to men or allow them to have full control of their bodies? For many, it’s not a simple choice. Here are three reasons.
He wore a toga and spoke Latin. This ancient philosopher can help you survive the anxiety of the 2024 election
Jun 22, 2024
If you’re agonizing over what might happen in this November’s presidential election, consider the wisdom of ancient Stoic philosophers such as Marcus Aurelius, who offer three pieces of advice that still are relevant today.
Jimmy Carter set a virtuous example as president. To today’s voters, that may not matter
Jun 12, 2024
Is virtue overrated in politics? Historians address that question by comparing the legacies of two former presidents: Jimmy Carter and Donald Trump. Their answers may surprise you.
‘Civil War’ sends a message that’s more dangerous than the violence it depicts onscreen
May 12, 2024
“Civil War,” the new film about a near-future United States torn apart by warfare between armed factions and an authoritarian government, has been a box-office hit. But the film, and others like it, reinforce a sobering truth about America.
How one evangelical leader uses the Bible to expose the ‘False White Gospel’
Apr 28, 2024
Jim Wallis, an evangelical leader, says White Christian nationalism has existed in the US since its founding. He calls it the “False White Gospel,” and a form of heresy.
O.J. Simpson gave us a preview of today’s America
Apr 12, 2024
O.J. Simpson’s 1995 murder trial offered a prelude to the political and social climate of today’s US, where many White and non-White people inhabit different worlds and Americans across the political spectrum can’t agree on a simple set of facts.
Was Jesus a man of color? Why this question matters more than ever
Mar 31, 2024
The debate over the color of Jesus’ skin is one of the oldest running arguments in religion. But this Easter, the question is a serious one — for several reasons.
A controversial Supreme Court decision could hurt Biden in November
Mar 26, 2024
The racial turnout gap between White and non-White voters has grown since a controversial 2013 Supreme Court decision gutted part of the Voting Rights Act, a new study finds. Experts say this could hurt Democrats in November’s election.
The ‘subversive spirituality’ of Bob Marley is still being overlooked
Mar 4, 2024
A hit movie has cast reggae superstar Bob Marley back into the spotlight. But it also overlooks his subversive faith. The Bible was as important as the guitar to him.
How Rick Beato struck YouTube gold with his ‘Everything Music’ channel
Feb 25, 2024
Rick Beato has amassed nearly 4 million followers and talked to musical titans like Sting and Seal on his YouTube channel. A former college music professor, Beato stumbled onto his second career by accident. He’s now called the internet’s “pre-eminent musical sage.”
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Evangelicals explain differences between some White and non-White evangelicals
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Feb 4, 2024
The relentless coverage of White Christian nationalism is spreading a racist myth: that Whiteness is the default setting for evangelical Christianity. CNN’s Victor Blackwell speaks to CNN’s digital senior writer John Blake and reverend John Onwuchekwa about the changing demographic within the church.
The relentless focus on White Christian nationalism is spreading a racist myth
Feb 3, 2024
The coverage of White Christian nationalism is spreading a dangerous myth that all evangelical Christians are White. There are millions of overlooked, non-White evangelicals in the US who will transform the nation’s politics and likely save the American church.
Obama told a story about America at his first inauguration 15 years ago. These people were there, and they still believe
Jan 20, 2024
This weekend marks the 15th anniversary of Obama’s first inauguration. Racial and political divisions in the US have since deepened. We asked those who attended Obama’s first inaugural: Do they still believe in his vision of America? Or will the future of the country look less like January 20 and more like January 6?
About
John Blake has been honored by the Society of Professional Journalists, the Associated Press, and The American Academy of Religion. He is the author of “More Than I Imagined: What a Black Man Discovered About the White Mother He Never Knew.”
