Lament: Wright Beats Wrong

Lament: Wright Beats Wrong: “Not God BLESS America, God DAMN America!” – Rev. Dr.  Jeremiah A. Wright Mr. Ricketts and other conservatives, hell bent on ...

Wright Beats Wrong

“Not God BLESS America, God DAMN America!”

– Rev. Dr.  Jeremiah A. Wright

Mr. Ricketts and other conservatives, hell bent on making President Obama a one term president, want to turn the clock back four years and essentially put the Black Church back on “front street” by reminding America (mostly white America) that evil continues to lurk in the hearts of all Black people as manifested in those 6000 people plus a president, that would dare follow the teachings of a distinguished Black theologian such as Jeremiah Wright. The only advice I have for him is this, “it did not work then and it will not work now!”

Certainly it comes as no surprise that the 2012 presidential campaign season has begun in earnest now that former Governor Mitt Romney has all but officially been declared the GOP endorsed candidate to face President Barak Obama in the November election. It should also be expected that the two sides will employ every possible tactic (both positive and negative) to expose their opponent’s shortcomings and character flaws in and effort to distract the public from seeing their own weaknesses and vulnerabilities. 

But what has caught me and over a million other Americans from both sides of the divide, completely off-guard is the recent revelation that the most conservative wing of the GOP, via the super PAC Ending Spending Action Fund (ESAF), had planned to spend more than 10 million dollars on an advertising campaign that would resurrect the Rev. Jeremiah Wright reminding the voters of the relationship between the President and his former Pastor.

Then, to add insult to injury, the chief backer and 10 million dollar contributor of this proposed schemes turns out to be Chicago’s very own (by way of Nebraska) Joe  Ricketts, a major player with the Chicago Cubs organization and ultra-conservative billionaire businessman. Not only has this latest news destroyed any hope I might have had about not seeing my blood pressure rise daily with the political lobs and distorted records of two men I now respect, but given Mr. Ricketts relationship with my favorite baseball team, I can’t see how I can ever enter the “friendly confines of Wrigley Field” without thinking that my admission dollars could be supporting the race baiting, Black Theology hating, anti-Christian promoting, fear mongering politics of hatred being used to turn people against President Obama.

If it were possible to put politics aside, this issue raises several significant questions for me. As an African American Pastor, person of deep faith, former member of Trinity United Church of Christ, and as one that faced his own controversial scandal when I came out about my sexual orientation to my African-American Baptist congregation, I am left to wonder “Are we our Pastor’s Keeper?” 

President Obama did not create Black Theology, but rather it has emerged as an opportunity for Black people to reflect theologically about our day to day struggles of living in these yet to be called United States of America. Rev. Wright, like many Black preachers was articulating the view that America, with all of its blessings, gifts and liberties, is no more exempt from its role in creating world problems as it is in creating solutions to those problems. Can it be implied that the views of the Pastor represent the views of every member of the congregation every Sunday? The underlying issue in the Rev. Wright controversy is that White America actually became witness to what happens in many Black churches each Sunday. 

Black Theology is powerful and is best understood, not in the context of what White people want to hear, but as a means to empower, enlighten and energize those that have been historically downtrodden and excluded, providing a spiritual context for world events in language that Black people not only understand but can apply to our daily lives.

While I in no way purport to be a baseball expert, I have watched enough games to know that how a player starts the game sets the tone for the remaining nine innings. It is unfortunate that the political right, in their opening pitch, has chosen to put such a strong negative spin to the ball. Why start a new campaign season with the same divisive tactics that assisted you in a losing season four years ago? This is the reason why the starting pitcher cannot open two consecutive games. It’s good that Mr. Ricketts and his 10 million dollar bull pin are rethinking their game plan and realize that Americans, even the ones still struggling to accept the leadership of an African-American Commander-In-Chief, want to watch a fair game. Why not let those on the field play and leave the race baiting, hate provoking strategies in the Peanut Gallery.

Lament: Obama on the DL

Lament: Obama on the DL: "The only way to get equality is for two people to get the same thing at the same time at the same place.”        –   Thurgood Marshall   ...

Obama on the DL

"The only way to get equality is for two people to get the same thing at the same time at the same place.”      – Thurgood Marshall                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

As I think about the recent scuttle-butt surrounding comments Vice President Biden made regarding his position on same-sex marriage, I am reminded of the sassy retort that was often used on the streets and playgrounds growing up in my mostly African-American community in Colorado Springs “My mama didn’t raise no fool!” This line was used when someone tried to make you believe something that was obviously false or to thwart a plan that would set you up to make a fool of yourself in public.

This childhood scene immediately came to mind on the heels of Biden’s saying during a recent taping of Meet the Press, “I am absolutely comfortable with the fact that men marrying men, women marrying women, and heterosexual men and women marrying another are entitled to the same rights.” This simple statement created a political fire-storm regarding whether or not President Obama would soon come out in favor of same-sex marriage during the 2012 Presidential Campaign. There are some who believe that it was a vice presidential gaff that has put Obama in a precarious spot and will force his hand on a decision while others believe it was a well planned and executed move to prepare the public for Obama’s eventual “about-face” on the issue and his presidential endorsement of same-sex unions.

While this subject has once again captivated the media and all the pundits, I can end the debate with one simple assertion that “Mama Obama didn’t raise no fool!” Come on now people, someone as smart, tactical and articulate as President Obama would never allow any member of his team to make such a bold statement with out a bigger purpose at work.

 

It was also no coincidence that less than 24 hours after Biden’s statement, Secretary of Education, Arnie Duncan, goes on television and makes a similar statement of support for gay marriage! Unless there has been a complete and utter breakdown in President Obama’s ability to manage his staff (which is highly unlikely) the only other conclusion is that our Commander-In-Chief is ready to “come out” and support marriage in all of its various configurations. 

Before celebrating his finding the pot of gold at the end of this political rainbow, the question has to be addressed why he was on the “down-low” (DL) in the first place?  I think the answer to that question is simple. The only way for “Candidate Obama” to become “Second Term President Obama” is to make good on his promise to one of his largest voting bases he has and that is the LGBTQ community. Everyone knows that once he is set for four more years, he will be free to “set the captives free” and come out on a number of issues but specifically, equal rights and same-sex marriage.

It is incomprehensible for me to believe that the same man who brought hope, vision and a “yes we can” attitude to the White House; the same man that ended “Don’t Ask/Don’t Tell” in the military; and the same man that everyday demonstrates the enormous weight of being the First African-American President, to now say “no we can’t” as a nation guarantees justice and equality for all. Biden and Duncan have only prepped the closet door to be flung open as our President comes out and does what he knows to be right for this one nation, under God. Congratulations, Mr. President!

Black While Hooded

 “One of the burdens of being a black male is carrying the heavy weight of other people’s suspicions.” J. Capehart, Washington Post

"I live here! I am Benjamin from the third floor," I screamed as I was beaten down to the floor.


It was Saturday, December 16, 2011, amidst the crowded streets of holiday lights and party goers looking to celebrate the season with friends and family, a dark skinned African-American male was spotted gaining entry into a secure north side condominium complex where the units are estimated to be more than a half million dollars. Residents sleep secure knowing the building is adequately protected by the latest technology and neighbors are ever vigilant in keeping their eyes open for any strange and unusual behavior.

On this weekend night, less than a week away from Christmas the building was full of guests waiting to be rung into the building and residents coming and going unaware of the Black gentleman in the lobby that seemed curiously out of place in this particular building. He was dressed for the weather and wearing a hooded sweatshirt that obscured his face from full view.  On the other hand, with a warm smile and proper greeting, he appeared to be pleasant and courteous enough to be given the benefit of the doubt amongst the expectant guests waiting at the locked security door.

Josh was excited to get his annual holiday bash started and decided to personally go down to the lobby and welcome his guests as opposed to ringing them in via his home telephone which is connected to the state of the art building security system. As he happily approached the transparent glass doors where he recognized the beaming faces of his dearest friends, he immediately noticed the dark faced man hiding in his hood amongst his cheery cheeked friends bearing pretty wrapped packages and poorly disguised bottles of wine and Champaign. Josh knew that his building was a target for burglary and vandalism given the uneven demographics of the neighborhood, especially those areas yet to be properly gentrified by the wave of incoming young urban professionals and latter career execs who used city living to exorcize their mid-life suburban crisis. Josh also knew that not all the members of his waiting party was in the building to celebrate the season.

 

With the stage set and the script already written, Josh meticulously opens the door in a way that allows all of those that belong in the building through the door, but when the apparent stranger tries to enter with the arrogance of a dues paying homeowner, Josh immediately launches into action and confronts the stranger by saying “Not you!” As the stranger attempts to claim residency in the building, Josh confidently replies back “Who the fuck are you!” and acting on his instincts, shoves the perceived interloper in the chest, knocking him down to the ground while his guests gasp in horror and surprise at the aggressive actions of their otherwise mild mannered friend and young father. The look in their eyes communicated how unbelievable this entire scene was which was unfolding quickly, but seemingly in slow motion, before them.

 

So lost in the moment was Josh and his visitors that they almost failed to hear the Black man scream as he was falling “Josh, I live here! I am Benjamin from the third floor.”

Stand Your Ground

“On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand—all other ground is sinking sand, all other ground is sinking ground.” 

 

The old American adage of crime and punishment which believes that justice is only served when we apply literally the biblical passage, “an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth,” will eventually leave us all blind, toothless and even further removed from God.

All over the country countless individuals are ‘standing their ground’ in protest against the killing of Trayvon Martin, a 17-year old African American in Sanford, Florida. These protests are calling for the arrest of George Zimmerman, a white Hispanic, who claims he acted in self-defense, using Florida’s “Stand Your Ground Law” as justification in killing the young teen. But the burning question for me seems to be “On whose ground was Mr. Zimmerman standing?”

The “Stand Your Ground Law” was passed in 21 states, to include Florida, in the last few years giving persons the benefit of the doubt for killing if it is self-defense. But in order for one to stand one’s ground, one must be sure that they have a ground on which to stand. The reality is, with such a law on the books one would almost have to be attacked or shot or knifed before they could claim self-defense against another individual. This is further complicated by the fact that when the law is applied, there is usually only one victim left to justify the killing because “dead men tell no tales.”

Mr. Zimmerman, a member of a neighborhood watch patrol in this middle-class gated Florida community explains his actions by saying Mr. Martin looked suspicious and out of character in this particular neighborhood because of his attire. Apparently, Trayvon was wearing a hooded shirt often referred to as a hoodie! But what is even more disturbing in this particular case is that when the police arrived on the scene, at no time did they restrain or treat Mr. Zimmerman like a suspect in a homicide. As a matter of fact after brief questioning on the scene Mr.Zimmerman was free to go and to this date has not been detained or faced any consequences as a suspect in the shooting.

In essence, a 17 year old African-American “man-child” was killed simply because of what he was wearing and the perception it created for an overzealous neighborhood white-Hispanic vigilante who was warned by the 911 operator not to pursue the youth. The writing staff of Law and Order could not have created a better script to illustrate all that is wrong in society today!  

Just because a person looks a certain way, behaves or has a certain look is not a license to attack and kill. The code language that has developed when we think someone is out to inflict harm is that the person “had a suspicious look.” In many cases the look is African American, young and male.  On Wednesday evening a Million Hoodie March was held in New York, and the participants donned sweatshirt hoodies in solidarity to putting an end to racial profiling and supporting the arrest and filing of charges against the white-Hispanic Zimmerman. 

Closer to home in Chicago last weekend, amidst spring-like temperatures, 49 people were shot resulting in 10 deaths from gun violence. All of humanity is at risk here, our communities are unsafe and states like Florida are responsible for creating laws that continue to perpetuate suspicion and distrust of our neighbors and fellow citizens. After all, justice is only served when there are plucked eyes and pulled teeth. 

Of course, these are not isolated cases and certainly not limited to Sanford, Florida or Chicago, Illinois. All over the country individuals are ‘standing their ground’. In fact, the real ground that we should be standing on comes in the words of Trayvon’s mother, Sybrina Fulton as she talks of her sons killing during the New York protest, “This is not a black and white thing—this is about a right or wrong thing.” 

As a person of deep faith, doing what is right over what is wrong is always rock-solid ground on which we can all stand. May each of us seek to stand on such ground, and in so doing draw us closer to each other and to God. Amen.

Photos of Trayvon Martin

War is HELL?

 “Everybody talkin' 'bout heav'n ain't goin' there…” -Spirituals as expressions of protest