Racism in God's Pulpit!

Racism perpetuated from the pulpit is the worst, the most dangerous of all. The recent story about Phoenix pastor, Steve Anderson, praying for the president’s, yes President Obama’s death is disturbing. Not only should he be run out of the pulpit, he should be considered and treated like a terrorist. Hearing that story reminded me of churches that harbored Klansmen who hung blacks and burned crosses and of the ministers who stood by racist Jim Crow era laws and practices. In his, “Letter from a Birmingham Jail”, Dr. Martin Luther King spoke to the clergy, many of whom protected racism overtly or by their silent acquiescence to it. He used these words to close it. “Let us all hope that the dark clouds of racial prejudice will soon pass away and the deep fog of misunderstanding will be lifted from our fear-drenched communities, and in some not too distant tomorrow the radiant stars of love and brotherhood will shine over our great nation with all their scintillating beauty”. Even now with a black man in the white house, racism is alive and well and we still must pray that the tomorrow that brings love and brotherhood is not too distant.

Brothers....Pay Attention

Brothers this is for you. Many of us are divorced with children. Some of you must really dislike your exes but you take it out on your children. It's important for both parents to cooperate and, for the Children’s sake, treat each other with love. After all, the fact that you have children together says there was once some love. Listen I know that relationships don't always work but your children need you, your time and your money.

Liars.....That's Who You Are!

Right Wingers, many of whom identify with or belong to the Republican Party are really going too far in their attacks and criticism of the President. What is so ironic, to me at least, is that these people espouse Patriotism. These are people who claim to LOVE America. But, how can you love America and hate the president who was duly elected by the American people? How can you love America and hate Americans? How can you criticize success and recognition? Here’s how you do it, practice bigotry. Yes I’m saying it loudly, all of you who are finding reasons to hate, to bicker, to disrespect, you are bigots, pure and simple and your claims of love for the country, your so called patriotism, is an out and out lie.

President Obama Dis-respected!

I was disappointed, to say the least, hearing members of congress jeer the President of the United States during his recent address. I have never heard a president so disrespected. Why, I asked myself. My answer, it was his race, skin color, his heritage. George Bush, neither of them had this happen. Nor would it have happened to Reagan, Nixon, Clinton, Ford, or Jimmy Carter. It certainly wouldn’t have happened to JFK or LBJ. But it happened to Barak Obama. Yes indeed, the President of the United States of America was disrespected. So were the halls of Congress, a place where the laws that govern this nation and shape this world. So were the citizens of this nation.

America has changed for the better, but last night set us back. It reminded me this is still the same America where those fleeing Europe in a quest for freedom, enslaved and endorsed the enslavement of my ancestors. It reminded me that less than 150 years ago, a Black man was considered three-fifths of a human being. It reminded me of days when the mantra of this nation supported theories that said, “When you’re white you’re right, and if you’re black you’d better get back”. It reminded me of the sign that hung at the Cullman, Alabama county line that told Black folk to “read and run”.

All those people who heckled the President of the United States, all those who held signs, who openly demonstrated not just displeasure at his message but contempt for the messenger should apologize to Mr. Barak Obama and to the American people.

Our Children...Dead in the Streets

Our children are dying, in many cases killing each other and we don’t seem to think we can do anything to stop it. This program is heard in over 40 cities nationwide and the murder of young black men may not be a problem where you are but it’s a big problem where I am. As a father I am always concerned about my children, but as a man I must be concerned for all children. Even though many of the victims are technically adults, meaning over the age of 21, they are still our children. They are children of parents of my generation. Where did we fail them? Moreover, what are we doing to stop the violence? Or perhaps the question should be, do we really care?

Down with the Rebel flag!

The confederate flag, the old stars and bars that to many people, including me, represent white folk trying to assert their supremacy is back in the news, therefore, I'll weigh in. the Confederate States of America began in 1861 and was no more by 1865. Some quick math says the CSA only lasted 4 years. Prior to 1861 the American flag flew over the former confederacy. After 1865 the American flag again represents the old south. More math indicates that from America’s independence in 1776 until now, some 233 years, in all but 4 there was no confederacy and no need for that flag. So what does that flag represent. It represents failure, a lost cause a lost war between the states. It represents an unsuccessful system, an unsuccessful government created to oppress me and people who look like me, who share my color. There are some who say it is their heritage. Well I pity those who would brag about and continue to promote a heritage of failure, a heritage that oppressed people, a heritage that waged and lost a war and then gave up, tucked their tails and begged for re-entry into the United States. There is one proper place for the Confederate Flag, in a cemetery because it represents dead thinking and a past way of life, or a museum as a symbol of an American failure.

The Black Economy

Black consumers must realize that they are vital to the success of Black business. As we spend our $8 billion dollars in annual income; and we spend most of it. We all need to make a conscious effort to seek out and support Black entrepreneurs, businessmen and women who have established their own enterprises. Black business should not have to be supported by programs but by people, black people. If we trade with Blacks whenever possible, their businesses will succeed, they will contribute to the economy, and more blacks will take on the challenge of running a business. The money we earn will do more to benefit the communities in which we live. We as a people must raise our understanding concerning economic issues and black consumers must understand that they must spend their money with Black business.