Recent posts by Nathan Clarke
from "The Carolina Chocolate Drops Preview Genuine Negro Jig," by nonesuch records :: first posted here 19 April 2010
"We've all seen examples of people who very reverently recreate traditional music, and it's already a relic. . . . And then there are people like the Chocolate Drops—you can talk about the tradition with them, [and] they have studied it. But nothing about their performance seems to suggest that they are trapped by it." (Joe Henry, producer). An amazing example of cultivating a neglected tradition and creating remarkable new music at the same time. (Don't miss the down-home remix of Blu Cantrell at the four-minute mark.)
Nathan: 
"Family," by Andy Crouch and Nathan Clarke
You can find creativity in the most surprising of places.
As part of the Global Conversation we were in a Central American prison filming the stories of gang members—some awaiting trial, others serving life sentences. In what should have been the most oppressive of locations (and there was much that made it so) these young men still had a creative impulse. Not only had they marked up their bodies with all sorts of imaginative tattoos, they also cobbled together the few supplies they could access in prison to create art. Their goal? Sell these crafts in order to support children in their community. Sometimes the we see the most interesting creations when resources are limited.
As part of the Global Conversation we were in a Central American prison filming the stories of gang members—some awaiting trial, others serving life sentences. In what should have been the most oppressive of locations (and there was much that made it so) these young men still had a creative impulse. Not only had they marked up their bodies with all sorts of imaginative tattoos, they also cobbled together the few supplies they could access in prison to create art. Their goal? Sell these crafts in order to support children in their community. Sometimes the we see the most interesting creations when resources are limited.
Nathan:
"The Best Question - Where Do You Live?," by Andy Crouch and Nathan Clarke
What's the first question you ask when you meet someone? There's a good chance it's not the same question your parents might have asked.
Nathan:
"The Best Question - Judgment and Power," by Andy Crouch and Nathan Clarke
If human beings are made in the image of God, and one of the qualities of the biblical God is judgment, are we meant to use our power to judge and even condemn?
Nathan:
"The Best Question - Culture Making and Poverty," by Andy Crouch and Nathan Clarke
How can we talk about creating artistic culture when there are so many out there without access to basic needs? Part of our ongoing series on power.
Nathan:
"The Best Question - The Trinity and Power," by Andy Crouch and Nathan Clarke
As part of our ongoing series on power, Andy Crouch tackles a question about what we can learn from the Trinity about power. Filmed on location at Osprey Point Retreat and Conference Center in Maryland during the Trinity Forum Academy's annual Integrity Weekend.
Nathan:
"Culture Making on the Road," by Andy Crouch and Nathan Clarke
Over the next several months, I'll be tagging along with Andy on several of his speaking engagements, particularly as he continues to develop his ideas on cultural power. While doing that we'll be producing a series of "Best Question" videos as Culture Making hits the road.
re:
power
Nathan: