Tag Archives: MSNBC

Posted on

Deliver Us From Hypocrisy: Senate Chaplain’s Barry Black’s Scathing Prayers in the government shutdown…

Hello World,

Like many Americans, I imagine, I am thoroughly disheartened that the people we elected cannot seem to work together to govern our country…I am reminded of when I first began as a reporter and covered school board meetings…I was shocked at how childish and petty the school board members acted. I felt like many of them either forgot or never learned the basics of good manners and appropriate behavior and instead chose to further their self interests instead of doing what was best for the children…I am not privy to all of what has transpired in the House and Senate but from my view, they are conducting themselves like children who want their way no matter what…

But thankfully, there is a voice of reason that has the unique ability to tell these so-called leaders about themselves…I learned about Senate Chaplain Barry Black from MNSBC’s Rachel Maddow…Prior to the government shutting down and throughout the government shutdown, Senate Chaplain Barry Black, who opens the meeting of the Senate each day with prayer, has used his prayers to admonish them and their shameless petulance…

  • On the Friday before the shutdown, Black said, “Keep us from shackling ourselves with the chains of dysfunction. Lord, deliver us from governing by crisis.”
  • On last Monday, Black said, “Lord, lead them away from the unfortunate dialectic of us versus them as they strive to unite for the common good of this land we love.”
  • On last Tuesday, Black prayed for “replacing cynicism with faith and cowardice with courage.”
  • And on last Wednesday, Black said, “Save us from the madness. Deliver us from the hypocrisy of attempting to sound reasonable while being unreasonable.”

He said that, didn’t he?! Go head Senate Chaplain Black! Reminds me of the scathing prayers of the Old Testament prophets! Although Senate Chaplain Black is praying for our leaders, he shouldn’t be the only one…We are commanded to pray for our leaders 1 Timothy 2:1-2…

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.

Check out Senate Chaplain Barry Black’s prayers in the video below…His voice is so rich, deep and authoritative…Almost like James Earl Jones…Hopefully, his prayers combined with our prayers will be answered…

Any thoughts?

Posted on

100 years ago today…Soror Melissa Harris-Perry & I love our DST…

Hello World,

Usually my posts are about my thoughts, but today, I truly couldn’t express my sentiments about this momentous occasion any better than Soror Melissa Harris-Perry, host of MSNBC’s “Melissa Harris-Perry,” did, so I won’t…

 

From Melissa Harris-Perry

One hundred years ago today–on Jan. 13, 1913, twenty-two young women at Howard University established Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.The Deltas were founded at a time when women did not have the right to vote. When African Americans were second-class citizens. And when black women were concentrated in the exploitative drudgery of domestic work. As college students, these young women understood that their education meant they had relative privilege.

And founding Delta Sigma Theta was a response to that opportunity–a chance to nurture social bonds between one another and serve their broader community.

For those of you unfamiliar with the traditions of African-American Greek letter organizations I know it might seem odd to talk about a sorority centennial on a political show, but Delta Sigma Theta is not exclusively, or even primarily an organization for college women. Delta, like the other historically black sororities and fraternities of the National Pan-Hellenic Council, has a history rooted in social, economic, religious and political engagement.

Delta is the organization that first introduced me to the accomplishments of many black women in American politics. Patricia Roberts Harris the first African-American woman to be appointed to a Presidential cabinet. Shirley Chisholm, the first African-American woman elected to the U.S. House and the first to run for President. Barbara Jordan, the first black woman elected to the U.S. House from the South. Carol Moseley Braun, the only African American woman U.S. senator.

All women who chose to affiliate with Delta. Delta is the organization where I had my first opportunity to practice leadership. As an undergraduate chapter president I learned basics skills like Robert’s Rules of Order, honed more intangible abilities, like forming consensus among extremely diverse points of view, and had a great time at my share of step shows. Women take many paths to leadership, Delta was the one I first followed.

It is no perfect organization. Like many of our counterparts, Deltas have been complicit in the excesses of college hazing and have sometimes squandered, rather than mobilized, our political and economic resources. But perfection is not the standard.

Commitment is. I make no claim that this organization is better than any other, but I believe the commitments of the more than 200 thousand college and graduate members to making ourselves, our communities, and our nation better is a story worth noting.

Today, Delta Sigma Theta is one hundred years old. Happy birthday, sorors

Any thoughts?

Posted on

How We Got Over…(The Funeral of Troy Davis)

Hello World,

Troy Davis was funeralized yesterday in Jonesville Baptist Church in Savannah, Ga. According to MSNBC, more than a 1,000 people showed up to honor the life of a man who was executed although there was considerable reasonable doubt that he committed the crime that he was accused of… 

I watched a video of a portion of the funeral in which Dick Gregory, a civil rights activist and comedian, paid his respects to the family while giving a wise and wickedly funny social commentary of the state of black affairs today. As I watched him, I was reminded of the rich religious heritage black people have in this country. We have only gotten over and are getting over because of the Lord! Black people have suffered grave injustices, and we still do. But none can deny that we have made great progress in spite of all that has been done to hold us back! Take a look at this video and tell me what you think.

 

 

And if you really want to feel the move of the Spirit, watch Mahalia Jackson sing “How I Got Over.” This video is an absolute treasure and gives us a glimpse of black life in that time period.

This month is evangelism month at my church Central Christian Church so I will be intentional about sharing my faith although I can be a scaredy cat about it sometimes…If you are looking for joy and peace that is not dependent on your circumstances, a purpose for living that goes beyond you and yours and the ability to see miracles taking place all round you, you’ve got to try Jesus!

And finally, in honor of Troy Davis and those who have been affected by his story, I leave this verse…

“Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”  Matthew 10:28

Any thoughts?