G.L.O.B.A.L. Commentary Roundtables periodically select experts from academia, advocacy, and business to review and discuss the key topics that require commentary from varying perspectives and sectors.

Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Center – July 2022

G.L.O.B.A.L. Justice presents a Roundtable on the implications of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Center for our nation and human rights. This discussion is presented by Sosamma Samuel-Burnett, Founder/President of G.L.O.B.A.L. Justice and Lauren Moustakas Micah Place/Program Director, G.L.O.B.A.L. Justice.

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The Dobbs Decision, the U.S. Supreme Court, and Human Rights of the most Vulnerable
Dobbs v. Jackson
The Dobbs Decision, the U.S. Supreme Court, and Human Rights of the most Vulnerable
Dobbs v. Jackson

Much can be said and has been said about the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs. v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization which overturned Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey. This decision, which has been anticipated by both pro-choice and pro-life advocates for weeks (thanks to a leaked draft opinion), lays out clearly its reasoning in finding that there is not a constitutional right to abortion and therefore the issue of abortion is left to the states.

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Dobbs v. Jackson
An Analysis of the Implications of Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Center
Dobbs v. Jackson
An Analysis of the Implications of Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Center
Dobbs v. Jackson

Few topics are as significant, controversial, and divisive as the debates over abortion. Whether pro-life, pro-choice, or some combination based on context, this issue has become a key dividing line in our society. In the United States, this is especially so following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision on June 24, 2022 in the case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which overturns the landmark decisions of Roe v. Wade (1973) and Planned Parenthood v. Casey (1992). Traditional and social media are filled with a range of voices and perspectives on this decision.

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Dobbs v. Jackson

Social Media – July 2019

G.L.O.B.A.L. Justice presents a Roundtable on the contributions of social media to justice in our world. What are various issues with social media? How can it be leveraged for good? What are changes that need to be made? This discussion is presented by Sosamma Samuel-Burnett, Founder/President of G.L.O.B.A.L. Justice; Randall Margo, Board Director and Commentator, G.L.O.B.A.L. Justice; and Drew Gilliland, Program & Research Associate, G.L.O.B.A.L. Justice.

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Social Media & Loving Your Neighbor
social media
Social Media & Loving Your Neighbor
social media

Social media is a ubiquitous presence in the West, and is a growing one across the entire world. It is undoubtedly a source of positive connection and friendship for many, but its dangers are increasingly difficult to ignore, as much as the corporations who run them would like the public to think otherwise… So how can we --  especially those of us who believe in Jesus who himself embodied selfless love in an age of division, distrust, and hatred like our own --  think about loving, and actually embody love, to our neighbor in the age of social media?

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social media
Social Media for Social Good
social media
Social Media for Social Good
social media

I’ll admit, and perhaps surprisingly to some, that I have always been a bit leery of social media. When LinkedIn started in 2002, I saw the value of professional online connection, but didn’t see the utility of what seemed to be a clunky platform. When Myspace started in 2003, I thought it was creepy. I didn’t like the idea of anyone opening themselves up to the threat of potential predators. When Facebook started in 2004, I thought it was voyeuristic. I really didn’t like the idea of sharing my life in such a public way. I tested it out to promote work activities, but the general response was that people wanted to see more social than professional, which I didn’t want to do. When Twitter started in 2006, I didn’t quite understand how to navigate it. Having a small child at that point, I didn’t see the point of it for my life. When Instagram started in 2010, I had twin babies and a young school age child as well as a job where I worked 60+ hours a week. I just didn’t have the time for it.  And in 2011, when Snapchat started, I didn’t even bother with it. 

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social media
Social Media – The Thrill Is Gone
social media
Social Media – The Thrill Is Gone
social media

Social media platforms captivated us: connectivity with family and friends at the click of button; contacting like-minded individuals and groups across an ever-expanding digital spectrum; sharing photographs and videos, including perhaps, one's own artistic and musical content; accessing at our fingertips the most arcane information within nanoseconds; networking for business and employment opportunities; and, best of all, these social media platforms offered all of this and more for free.

Yet, despite being what are arguably some of the most compelling and useful innovations ever created, discontent is emerging among social media users, government officials, and even from those who helped develop these platforms, such as Facebook co-founder Chris Hughes.  Unfortunately, and with apologies to Shakespeare, the dissatisfaction truly lies not with the platforms or firms, but with ourselves. Our ability to effortlessly communicate at electronic speeds has enabled us for better and for worse.

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social media

International Women’s Day – March 8, 2018

In honor of International Women’s Day, G.L.O.B.A.L. Justice presents a Roundtable on the status of women and girls. We celebrate women and raise awareness of the injustices they face throughout the year, but take the opportunity of this internationally designated day to celebrate women & their accomplishments, and highlight justice concerns that affect women and girls globally. This discussion is presented by Sosamma Samuel-Burnett, Founder/President of G.L.O.B.A.L. Justice; Bridget Brewster, Co-Founder of Agape International Missions and G.L.O.B.A.L. Board Director; and Lauren Moustakas, G.L.O.B.A.L. Justice Program/Development Associate.

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International Women's Day 2018: Value and Worth – Lauren Moustakas
commentary
International Women's Day 2018: Value and Worth – Lauren Moustakas
commentary

This International Women’s Day we celebrate women everywhere, the work that has been done to advance women’s rights, and the work that is currently being done to benefit women and girls globally. On this day especially, I am grateful for the women who have gone before me and the women who have shaped and influenced the woman I have become.

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commentary
International Women's Day: Why, How, and Now in Achieving Women's Rights – Sosamma Samuel-Burnett, JD
analysis, commentary
International Women's Day: Why, How, and Now in Achieving Women's Rights – Sosamma Samuel-Burnett, JD
analysis, commentary

Women make up about half of the world’s population. Women provide the majority of resources, support, and services to men, other women, children, elderly, disabled, and others in their care. Women serve countless hours in the home and in the marketplace. And there is no man, woman, or child in this world that did not start their life through a woman who conceived, carried, and delivered that person into the world. So why is it that women are still facing disparity, discrimination, and abuse in political, social, and economic terms? On this International Women’s Day, let us take a closer look at the questions of “why?” but also the question of “how?” women can achieve human rights worldwide.

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analysis, commentary
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International Women's Day 2018 – Bridget Brewster

As I looked out my window this morning washing dishes, I noticed two floors up the women working construction alongside the men on our school being built in Svay Pak, Cambodia. It’s a holiday that many take off from work, but these women have to work today.

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Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission – December 2017

G.L.O.B.A.L. Justice presents a Roundtable on the Masterpiece Cakeshop case that was recently before the U.S. Supreme Court. The Forum is presented by Sosamma Samuel-Burnett, Founder/President of G.L.O.B.A.L. Justice; Michael Norton, Former Colorado U.S. attorney; and Randall Margo, Administration Adjunct Faculty at Golden Gate University and G.L.O.B.A.L. Board Director/Commentator. The purpose of this Roundtable is to provide analysis of the implications for religious freedom and freedom of expression from various thinkers and practitioners from a range of vantage points – legal, socio-political, philosophical, and biblical.

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The Fundamentals of Expression: Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission – Sosamma Samuel-Burnett, JD
The Fundamentals of Expression: Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission – Sosamma Samuel-Burnett, JD

The U.S. Supreme Court hears arguments for and against the Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission case today. This case has been hailed as one of the most important religious freedom cases in contemporary legal history. Indeed, the facts of the case make it legally interesting, but the implications of the case make it legally and morally significant.

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The State is Forcing Jack Phillips to Choose Between Family and God – Michael Norton
The State is Forcing Jack Phillips to Choose Between Family and God – Michael Norton

No human beings on the face of this earth are more important to my friend Jack Phillips than his family. Jack is a very good cake artist and his artistry has enabled him to support his family. Until recently, he has made a decent living at Masterpiece Cakeshop in Lakewood, Colorado.

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When Legality and Virtue Diverge – Randall Margo, PhD
When Legality and Virtue Diverge – Randall Margo, PhD

Commencing deliberations in the Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission case, the Supreme Court is poised to render a momentous decision on the future direction of First Amendment rights to free speech and free exercise of religion.

The essential facts of the case are as follows: In July 2012, a gay couple from Colorado, Charlie Craig and David Mullins, planned to marry in Massachusetts and return home to celebrate their wedding. Colorado did not recognize same-sex weddings at that time and the Supreme Court had not yet ruled on Obergefell v. Hodges that found marriage to be a fundamental right that extends to same-sex marriages. Mr. Craig and Mr. Mullins visited Masterpiece Cakeshop in Lakewood, Colorado to purchase a cake for their upcoming wedding reception. “The owner, Jack Phillips, told them that he would happily provide baked goods for them for other occasions, but he would not create a cake for this event, citing his general policy, based on his religious convictions against participating in same-sex marriages.” Mr. Craig and Mr. Mullins did obtain a cake from another bakery, but filed a complaint with the Colorado Civil Rights Commission alleging discrimination by Masterpiece Cakeshop on the basis of sexual orientation. The Commission supported the discrimination complaint and the case has subsequently wound itself through the appeals process until reaching the Supreme Court this fall.

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Global Refugee Crisis Roundtable – 2016

In light of the significance of the global refugee crisis, G.L.O.B.A.L. Justice engaged Professor David Weissbrodt, G.L.O.B.A.L. Expert Council member and international human rights expert and Randall Margo, G.L.O.B.A.L. Board Director and Commentator in a Forum on this crisis.

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21st-Century Pilgrims – Randall Margo, PhD
21st-Century Pilgrims – Randall Margo, PhD

Refugees enduring their trek out of troubled Middle East and African nations through the Balkans, now face numbing autumn rains, soon to give way to the colder snows of winter, as they seek Europe’s more serene and affluent destinations. But, should providence enable them to complete their journey, other crucibles will remain. Clearly, the struggles of their predecessors to assimilate culturally and economically within these wealthier European countries constitutes the most significant hurdle confronting these newcomers, and to a similar extent, gives pause to many Europeans whose nations are still willing to accept these migrants. Why has integration proved so difficult? Well, perhaps a comparison with immigrants from other places and times can provide some insight.

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The United Nations and Beyond: International Collaboration for Global Justice – David Weissbrodt
The United Nations and Beyond: International Collaboration for Global Justice – David Weissbrodt

My aim today is to provide a brief overview of the goals and potentials of the United Nations, governments, and non-governmental organizations as related to cooperation in solving the refugee crisis currently plaguing our world.

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David Weissbrodt, University of Minnesota Law School Professor and G.L.O.B.A.L Justice Board member, presents on the global refugee crisis in light of the UN and international cooperation.

US Supreme Court Decision in Obergefell v. Hodges on Same-Sex Marriage Roundtable – July 2015

G.L.O.B.A.L. Justice presents a Roundtable on the June 26th U.S. Supreme Court Decision in the case of Obergefell v. Hodges on the issue of the constitutionality of same-sex marriage. The Roundtable Commentary is presented by Sosamma Samuel-Burnett, Founder/President of G.L.O.B.A.L. Justice; Myron Steeves, Dean of Trinity Law School; Bradley Hughes, Fellow in Worldview & Economics for the Centennial Institute; and S. Ernie Walton, Associate Director of the Center for Global Justice, Human Rights, and Rule of Law at Regent Law School. The purpose of this Roundtable is to provide analysis of the decision and its implications from various thinkers and practitioners from a range of vantage points – legal, socio-political, philosophical, and biblical.

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The Implications of the Obergefell Decision for Constitutional and Human Rights

As a Christian and as a human rights/global justice advocate, I am concerned with a range of issues – war, oppression, disparity, discrimination, etc. Indeed, G.L.O.B.A.L Justice was launched nearly a year ago to help address the severe situations and conditions affecting so many people in so many regions around the world. While I have studied, researched, taught, and advocated for 30 years on human rights efforts such as alleviating poverty, improving child survival, addressing global health and global violence, etc, I did not grapple as deeply with the issue of same sex rights. I considered same sex issues as private, personal concerns more than as broader, societal concerns. Certainly many gay and lesbian individuals have faced societal adversity throughout the years, especially from those who have inflicted hateful acts against them. But outside of those instances of adversity, the same sex rights cause was starkly different than the human rights causes historically and presently around the global. The type of wide scale oppression, stark disparities, and severe violence inflicted by governments, groups, and individuals, such as in human trafficking and terrorism, were of greater severity and immediacy from an advocacy perspective.

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The United States Supreme Court Makes a Far-Reaching Decision on Same-Sex Marriage

On June 26, the United States Supreme Court handed down its decision in Obergefell v. Hodges. This is a far-reaching case which will have a significant impact on nonprofit organizations for years to come. The following are initial impressions, with much more to come in the coming months.

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A Biblical View of the Obergefell v. Hodges Decision

The SCOTUS decision on Obergefell v. Hodges is a clear indicator that our judicial system is badly broken, a clear reminder that the court opposes the Judeo-Christian foundations upon which the nation was founded, and is a clear omen that more moral and legal confusion is on the way in America.

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Conservatives Should Attack Obergefell’s Interpretive Method, Not Its Hijacking of the Democratic Process

Almost three months after the dust from Obergefell has settled, one thing is clear: conservatives are crying foul primarily over Obergefell’s usurpation of the democratic process. The “debate over same-sex marriage displayed American democracy at its best,” we are told, and the majority in Obergefell was dead wrong to end it. This was Obergefell’s cardinal sin from the conservative perspective.

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