Tag Archives: racism

Posted on

Seven Scriptures We Can Apply to Ferguson…

Hello World,

I must confess I have neglected my humble corner of the World Wide Web lately because of a variety of reasons…

I’ve attended two funerals this month and have begun planning to honor a sorority sister that passed away a year ago in October and another sorority sister that passed away in 2005 resulting in my emotions ranging the spectrum…I have written two articles, a column and worked on my book which has made me feel like I have no words left for my blog (in other words, a good old-fashioned case of writer’s block)…It seems that our home is going through some sort of mid-life crisis or entering old age as we have worked on getting our stove, refrigerator and air conditioner fixed…and other developments, I cannot mention here just yet…And of course, my one-year wedding anniversary this month has had me in contemplation of what is to come…

In sum, I’ve had a good ole dose of life this month as I do every month…but somehow this month, this mixture of life has been more potent than other months…y’all pray for me as there are a few days left in the month :).

With all of that said and or written, I remain committed to viewing this world through the lens of Christian faith and writing about my view here on my blog…So on to today’s post….

I’ve noticed that when faced with negativity from numerous sources, I tend to feel powerless and attempt to direct my energy in another direction where I hopefully will have more power or retreat altogether…That is how I felt when I witnessed (via television) and read about what happened in Ferguson…For all of the progress made in black life in the United States, it seems that black men remain targets…However, I can no longer no retreat or redirect…

Below are seven verses we can apply to Ferguson…

1.“There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:28…When will we learn that all races are equal and loved and created by God? I have to wonder if Mike Brown would have been a white teenager, would he have been gunned down in the same fashion or shot at all?

2. “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8…Since black men seem to be targets, black men must have a “double consciousness” that while we (United States citizens) are free to live equally above and below the law as we please, the consequences  for black men will likely not be the same…Much has been said about Mike Brown being a cigar thief (which the police officer had no knowledge of before observing him) or “no angel” as if any transgressions he may have committed are justification for being shot and left in the street like a dead dog…The devil is busy…Be aware…

3. “Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.” Romans 13:2… All should of us should attempt to be law-abiding citizens, but given the unfair treatment of black men in the justice and legal systems, black men, unfortunately, have to be even more careful about obeying the laws of this country…I hate to say that, but as my nephew gets older, I will tell him this again and again for his own safety…

4. “Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall.” Isaiah 40:30…To be a black man in this country is know that stereotyping, ignorance and downright racism is real…We have to encourage young black men in particular (see above) as they, like all young people, are in the process of finding themselves and prone to make mistakes as they learn lessons…

5. “In your anger do not sin.” Ephesians 4:26a…I truly believe that one of the reasons that Dr. Martin Luther King’s efforts were so powerful is that he employed the tool of non-violence. The juxtaposition of having dogs, clubs, tear gas and more unleashed on the peaceful protesters of the ’60s showed the world just how unjust those that literally fought to maintain the racist and unequal status quo were…As organizations plan more protests in the wake of Ferguson, I hope they employ the method of non-violence…

6. “For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:12…All of the strife between various races, economic groups, political parties, neighbors, plaintiffs and defendants, etc… All strife period can be traced back to the father of strife…the devil…In other words, we need Jesus…It is only with Jesus that we can win against the power that wants to divide and conquer us…

7. “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.” Philippians 3:20… This world (although I love it with all of its faults) will never be the way we want it to be…That is no excuse to not keep fighting for justice…However, we must realize it is only in heaven that we will experience perfect justice…And maybe God has allowed it to be that way to point us toward Him…

Any thoughts?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted on

The Obama Nation v. The Hater Nation

Hello World!!!

The hate is thick! Since our first black president-elect was chosen on Nov. 4, hate , like the lava from a volcano, has been oozing out and I hope things don’t erupt…But on the other hand, I, like many other Americans I’m sure, didn’t expect the first black president to skate into the White House unfettered by the restraints of racism.

However, I am bothered by the response of some Christians’ response to Obama’s win because whether they want to admit it or not, they too, are racist. (Yeah, I said it. Shout out Michael Baisden, ha,ha)  Here’s the thing. I am a Christian. I believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross for my sins. I believe He arose from the dead. I believe that He is coming back again. Case closed. But I sincerely believe that these Christians, these Christians who have hijacked the Republican Party, sincerely believe that if you are not on their side, then you are on the side of the devil.

A friend of mine, Ms. D, sent an e-mail to me about this big time Christian’s response to Obama’s historic win. Apparently, this guy Dutch Sheets, who I had never heard of before last week, is a minister and prayer warrior known throughout the world. His printed response is Exhibit A in my argument that some Christians are just racist when it comes to their lack of support of Obama. (Actually for the purpose of brevity, I don’t have an Exhibit B, but whatever- it’s my blog. 🙂 )

Read his  written response here. Here are just a few snippets of some of the things Sheets said. First of all, he said that Obama’s win was not God’s will. He said that “as a nation we put on the blinders concerning Barak Obama’s background, associations, beliefs, and practices and set these causes (he was referring to abortion and other issues) back years, possibly decades. And in doing so we took another step away from God and His plans for America and another step toward judgment.”

First of all, I promise you that this guy spells “Barack” as “Barak” throughout the whole article. What is up with that? You don’t even respect him enough as the president-elect and as a human being to spell his name right. This seemingly small mistake points to a latent disrespect of the man. And it’s funny about this whole association thing that the Republicans tried to make an issue of prior to the election. For months, Obama was criticized for his association with his former pastor, Jeremiah Wright. I don’t say that I agree with all of Wright’s beliefs, but at least everyone could point to the fact that Obama had a Christian pastor. What pastor was McCain associated with? Since we are talking about beliefs, associations and practices? What does McCain believe? Who was he associated with? What were his practices? I won’t dredge up all of the issues of this past election season, but as someone said to me last night, when you would rather elect a known adulterer who shies away from any discussions of faith, than someone who you can identify as a Christian who has been the faithful husband of one wife and call that “God’s will,” then I have got to believe that another issue is really the real issue.

Then Sheets goes on to detail some of the judgments that Americans will face as a result of Obama’s presidency, “more economic woes” was at the top of the list.  Well, Mr. Sheets, if “economic woes” is a sign of God’s judgment, then God used President George Bush to usher in that judgment, and we all know that he is a true Christian as he is a member of the Republication party. (The sarcasm is dripping from my lips…) Actually, it is my belief that if Bush hadn’t been such an atrocious president, then Obama wouldn’t have had a chance to get elected. I wonder if that was God’s will too…

He then goes on to address any false predictions he may have made regarding the election and the resulting backlash. “Like many, believing I had many promises and confirmations that God would ‘grace’ us with a pro-life president in this election, I failed to consider strongly enough that all promises-even scripture are conditional 99.9 percent of the time…If this caused any harm or confusion, I apologize.” He said he was “somewhat angry at the nation in general and much of the Church.” You know what I say to that, stop writing checks with your mouth that your actions can’t cash…

And here’s the kicker. He compared Sarah Palin to women in the Bible. “I believe she is an Esther, a Deborah, with a huge mantle from God for reformation. God has great destiny for her related to this nation if she chooses to continue down this path.”  (Sheets haven’t you learned? Stop writing checks!) Goodness, I must have no spiritual discernment to miss that Sarah Palin is a Biblical woman reincarnated. If that is the case, then Bush is Abraham or maybe even Paul…Mr. Dutch Sheets, you may be “passing the dutchie” because you are sadly mistaken! And you know what else, I just think you are a part of the Hater Nation rather than the Obama nation. And since Obama will be the next president of the United States of America, it is with a special joy that I say this. “America. Love it or Leave it.”

I could say more, but I won’t because I want to hear from you…

Any thoughts?