Mr. Arkin said: Pakistan: Still The World's Most Dangerous Country
The Rev replied.
The USA is the most dangerous country
...in the world, hands down. Pakistan isn't even a close second. Other
nations of the world are not
afraid of what Pakistan will do..., most nations and people of the world are more mindful of what the U.S.A. has done in the past and what it is doing now, invasions, occupations, saber-rattling et al!
Just imagine if you lived in some other
nation of the world, imagine what your
opinion of the United States would be
then?
The U.S.A. will either threaten a nation,
manipulate a nation, isolate a nation, strangulate a nation economically or politically or attack a nation. And the
threat of nuclear annihilation always hangs in the balance. Pakistan may
have the bomb, however, the U.S.A has
USED THE BOMB, and makes no bones
about using it again, while making sure that it keeps other nations disarmed!
So now then, who is the most dangerous
nation in the world? What is truly amazing is that other nations of the
world have not banded together in order to abut American-style terrorism!
Thank God that the American people have finally repudiated the American President George Bush - everyone is waiting for he and his sidekicks to head into the sunset!
America can end worldwide terrorism in one stroke, all we have to do is get our own nation to discontinue its own worldwide terrorist practices. That would effectively eliminate just about 90% of worldwide terrorism I would estimate!
As long as the U.S.A. keeps the world's focus on other nations like the DPRK, Iraq, Iran, Syria, Pakistan, Bolivia,
Nicaragua..., then the world will continue to overlook what the United States is doing!
And what we are doing in the world is not right either folks!
And this is the truth, not hate talking!
Posted by: The Rev | February 19, 2008 12:30 PM
Peace & Grace
Rev. C. Solomon
Feb 17, 2008
Hillary Clinton's Lepers are Black: Fifty Percent of Black Voters Failed To Return To Say "Thank You" During the Primaries!
What do black Americans know about dynastic families?
Most have never lived in Africa, China or the near and far east!
Even if Hillary looses to Obama, he should be smart enough to
go back and thank the Clintons. For had it not been for them,
he would not be where he is today!
An Obama win would still represent a win for the Clintons,
they laid the groundwork, and Obama is running on the Clinton
vision!
The Clintons represent an ideological viewpoint in America,
individual Americans are not simply voting for 'The Clintons'.
Black voters, some do not realize that even if Obama becomes
President of the United States, that he will not be a President
who is there to exclusively serve the needs of black Americans.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jesus heals 10 lepers
only one of them returns to thank Jesus
Luke 17th chapter
11Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee.
12 As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance 13and called out in a loud voice, "Jesus, Master, have pity on us!"
14When he saw them, he said, "Go, show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were cleansed.
15One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16He threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.
Disloyalty - Unthankful - Lovers of Self -
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
17Jesus asked, "Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine?
18 Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?"
19 Then he said to him, "Rise and go; your faith has made you well."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I. Black Americans Have Always Had Short Memories:
I attended a black tie affair some years ago in Washington D.C., when I was the President of a federation of community organizations. I was there as a delegate to the national conference of the United Neighborhood Centers of America. We spent five days in the nation's capitol attending various sessions and conferences, as we prepared to speak before members of the Congress of the United States of America.
We also met privately with individual Congresspeople throughout the week in order to discuss the deplorable conditions of inner-city neighborhoods as well as the plight of individuals who resided in poverty-stricken and underserved neighborhoods. Our ultimate goal was to determine what could be done in order to bring about change.
During an elegant evening reception at the Shoreham Hotel in Washington DC, totally unprovoked - one of our black attendees at the black-tie affair suddenly spoke out asking, can anyone tell me, 'what did Dr. King ever do for us'? I was standing closest to him at the time and I looked at him quizzically, having assumed that he was either joking, trying to get a rise out of the crowd or that he was seeking some kind of visceral reaction from the crowd.
After a few seconds of uncomfortable silence, and his having repeated the same question, a few of us realized that this black American was serious! Some years later when I considered his query, I reasoned that given the history of the black struggle in America, and all of those who fought, died and were betrayed by those that they tried to help, that I should not have been surprised at all given his innocuous behavior?
I even found myself trying to explain years later, as a result of the character played by Cedric the Entertainer in the movie 'Barbershop', to another couple of equally obtuse individuals, that people like Cedric's character in the feature film actually did exist within the black community. And of course I was thinking of this gentleman at the time.
What was so ironic was that these two knuckleheads (who reacted negatively to the derogatory remarks made about two of America's black icons, the late Rosa Parks and the Reverend Jesse Jackson), were in reality and in behavior mirror images of Cedric's character themselves! In fact one of the two had the same kind of gray splotching in his overextended side hairs, and he looked a lot like the character that Cedric portrayed. Not only that both of these two gentlemen were as bombastic as Cedric's character was, and not nearly as lovable!
How is it that some black people can so easily forget the ones who have helped them, the same ones that they cried to as the lepers did with Jesus for help? Why is it that the same black Americans who voted for politicians like Hillary in the past, asking them to help us, can simply walk away? Sadly, after they received the help they wanted, these same individuals simply turned and walked away never returning to say thank you or to show any appreciation for what the Clintons' did for them.
Kudos to those black Americans who have not ignored what they have received, given the hard work of the Clintons over the past 3 or 4 decades. Maxine Waters, Representative Lewis from Georgia and other congresspeople, ministers and individual citizens have decided as I have done - that the Clintons deserve our support given all of their proven and untiring support of the black community over the years. IF THEIR SHIP GOES DOWN WE SHOULD RIDE IT DOWN WITH THEM!
Will the Hillary Clinton election ship sink? I suspect that just as John McCain's ship reemerged from the dark depths of the sea, so will Hillary's ship soon be resurrected from an unexpected stormy sea! The fact is that America and the world needs a powerful female in power, one who can bring balance back into the world, by addressing all of of those issues that males tend to downplay and overlook for centuries now!
Some years ago my mom, ever the educator, told me something about people before she passed away. She said, let me tell you about one of our own and just what kind of person he really happens to be. She said that he is the kind that when he wants something from you, he can be so nice. However, as soon as he has gotten what he wants from you, he will no longer have any need for you, and he won't likely speak to you until he needs something from you again! Sadly, her words turned out to be true about my close relative, however, her words fit a lot of other Americans.
It would appear that many in the black community got what they wanted from the Clintons, and as far as they are concerned now - the Clintons can go back to Hope! Factually, I have seen the same kind attitude in some black Americans when it comes to black civil rights leaders, the same individuals who sacrificed all of their lives to help them to get to where they are today!
Now that they have experienced a modicum of success, much like the 9 lepers that Jesus healed (even though they had to take some action steps themselves in order to be healed) these black Americans do not feel indebted to the Clintons either! Non-blacks and other citizens of the world owe the Clintons a great deal of thanks!
II. Tired of the Two-Family Dynasty:
The best years that blacks have experienced during the history of this nation, have resulted from the hard work that was done by the Clinton family in conjunction with black leaders and fair non-black Americans. Did anyone complain about the Reagan two-term Presidential dynasty?
The fact that there has been a Bush Clinton family dynasty that has held sway over this nation for so long, did not come about without the help of black Americans and crossover democrats of all colors. All of these combined actually voted for President George W.H. Bush, and more recently for his son George W. Bush, our current President.
I am an Independent, and I have found it interesting that the same Republican Party that decided that the 'kinder gentler' first President Bush should be limited to only one term, made sure (and not without help) that he would not be elected to a second term. Black Americans helped to get the kinder-gentler Bush out of office and instead preferred the Clintons, who we all voted for en masse.
Following the Clinton years, when blacks benefited as never before - the same blacks again joined in with Republicans to elect another Bush and helped him to regain the White House. No one, except the wealthy, would argue that the second Bush has not done a horrible job of leading this nation. However, the question remains, how did he get elected? Answer? Not without the help of the black community.
And their having forgotten all of the prosperity that the nation and that blacks enjoyed under the Clintons, full employment for many blacks, the appointment of minority and women Justices... et al, half of the black community has come forth to say, we don't want anymore of what worked to benefit the entire nation in the past.. Away with them, crucify them I hear coming from a segment of the black community.
I ask, what have the Clintons ever done but help the black community? It would seem to me if ever you wanted a dynasty to persist, it would be the Clinton dynasty. But really what do black Americans know about dynasties?
The fact or the matter is that given the work that the Clintons engaged in over the years that benefited black people, many Americans refer to President Clinton as America's first black President. In fact Bill Clinton after he left office set up his working offices in Harlem New York. Can you name another President, or black Senator who has set up his offices in Harlem, or anywhere near Cottage Grove Avenue in Chicago Illinois?
Be it far from me to tell anyone how to vote, for after all we are not a monolithic community. Having said that however, and given the results so far in the American Democratic primaries, one has to wonder whether or not Hillary Clinton feels betrayed. Wouldn't you feel betrayed! I also wonder just how appreciative black Americans are to individuals who have made sacrifices for them?
I listened to Hillary speak on television during a sit down interview this past week. She said something that was both poignant and very interesting. Hillary explained that all of her life she had fought for the day when a black or a female would be able to be the President of the Untied States of America.
She then added however, I never thought that I would be 'the woman' to run against a 'black'. Once again I thought, but what must she really be feeling down on the inside, given how both she and her husband have stood by and fought for the black community and all of the rest of the underprivileged for so many years? Hillary could never have dreamed that the one to oppose her would be black!
And, now when the black community has an opportunity to show some loyalty and support to both her and her husband by voting for her in order to get the country back on track, almost half of 'the community' who voted in the primaries turned their backs on her as if she was the proverbial monster! The saying is true, 'no good deed goes unpunished'! And another saying appears to be true, that blood (and black Americans often refer to each other as blood), must be thicker than water. Don't feel bad Hillary, the brother in Washington DC that I wrote about earlier, couldn't see anything that Dr. Martin Luther King ever did for the black community either!
Jesus, and the story of the lepers came to mind as I thought more about what my own community is doing to Hillary. For after Jesus caused all of the leper-outcasts to be healed, those who requested his help - Jesus didn't run away from them. In spite of all of the other officials and townspeople who would have nothing to do with these outcasts, Jesus healed them - he did not run away from them. And like Hillary, what did Jesus get in return - only one in his case, returned to say thank you for giving me my life back!
Yes, blacks helped to elect the Clintons, but why did they help to elect them? The answer is simple, so that black people could get what they wanted, healing! They cried out to the Clintons, and begged them as well as demanded help from them. And the Clintons never disappointed the black community. And which dynasty would blacks prefer to come to an end? Shall we return to the Reagan years?
Do blacks really want to live under a McCain dynasty? His offspring will be out of the military by the time that he completes his first term. Just think about that for a minute! It seems to me that we all should be thinking about bringing back the dynasty that is proven. For folks the Clintons benefited all Americans, except perhaps the greedy, however, their greedlust is never satisfied. You could give them the whole world and still they would not be satisfied!
III. Blacks Have Waited A Long Time For A Black President Some Say!
Many blacks have dreamed of the day when America would have its first black President. And it would appear that their dream might come true, and or at least they have never been closer to having a black President. Truth be known, my classmates laughed at me when I was in the fourth grade, because I openly announced to the class that someday I would like to be the president of the United States of America.
One of my fellow-students immediately responded saying, nobody is going to elect a black President. Funny, I never said that I wanted to be a black President, I simply wanted to be the President of the United States. I won't insult those blacks who came out and heavily supported Obama during the Democrat primaries, by saying that they voted for Obama because he is black, however, I know that some did. Some will vote against black candidates by simply voting for white candidates (no matter how competent they are), and that has been going on in this nation since the beginning of this nation.
Years later and along with my 32 year tenure in the ministry, I have off and on been heavily involved in politics. Not only have I served as a Deputy Registrar at the local level, I have been heavily involved in politics in the District of Columbia'. And, other than being dissuaded from running for office, I dreamed of running for the office of Congress myself some years ago, by the Holy Spirit led me to not even try it.
Having said that however, it did not prevent me from getting involved, and as a result I have been heavily involved in meetings with Congressional Representatives and other government local and Federal officials on a one to one basis. I have also attended joint meetings with other black and white leaders in their Congressional offices on the Hill, as well as with many Civil Rights leaders. Why? I hoped that by doing so that my influence as a minister might help to turn this country to a Godly way of thinking! In fact I was flattered in Washington DC, when then Rep. Seiberling, having heard me speak, referred to me as 'the heavyweight'.
I also appreciated the personal instructions, counseling and mentoring that I received from former Congressman Augustus Hawkins of California in the nation's capitol. I gained a lot of insight from a meeting that I attended in the office of then Head of the Congressional Black Caucus, Perrin Mitchell, and more recently I appreciated discussions with men like Representative John Lewis, former Delegate Walter Fauntroy and others!
Obama, is an attractive political figure to say the least, so to say that I have anything against him running for office would be absurd, given that I wanted to do the same thing years ago myself. However, do we simply cast aside those who have served us and fought so hard for our full access to the opportunity structures of this country, and for us to enjoy our constitutionally guaranteed rights as citizens? Wouldn't it have made more sense for us to show some appreciation for what the Clintons and others have done for us.
Could Senator Obama have postponed his election and helped to build solidarity with those Americans, including the Clintons, who have have worked so hard and waited so long to complete the vision of social justice in this country? The Clintons, after all were the embodiment of that dream. Each time I hear Obama criticize Hillary, I cringe. In addition to his desultory campaign remarks, I know that he is only helping to weaken the side that he claims to believe in, and at the same time he is simply giving ammunition to the other side that will be used against the Clintons.
The Republicans are thinking, thank you Obama. What better gift could the Republicans have cast into their lap than to have a black Democrat to point out their faults and destroy the Clintons. Bill Clinton reminded the Democrats years ago that the Republicans never intended to relinquish the White House again when George H.W. Bush was President. They do not intend to build it now. As an Independent Voter, if either Party were to build a dynasty, I would rather see the Democrats build one instead of the Republicans.
The fact of the matter is that the Clintons could have done the same as most white Americans have done in the past; they could have looked out for themselves. The Clintons could did not have to risk their own lives or reputations, and be looked upon as being traitors or nigger lovers. They could have done whatever it took to make life easier for themselves. Can you imagine how much further along they would have in the White world if they had done so?
Newt Gingrich and others have given Bill Clinton the distinction of being the most astute politician of our times. But how do we the people who have been helped the most by the Clintons say thank in black America? We turn away from them and support, yes one of our own, however, one of our who factually has never done a modicum of what the Clintons have for America and the black community. And how do we say thank you black America? Why wouldn't the taciturn Obama wait his turn?
IV. Where Is the Loyalty Factor?
To the extent that many blacks in this nation have been healed and have enjoyed a better life-style and more freedoms, is due of late mostly to the Clintons. And although they did not do it all by themselves, the Clintons helped us in ways that only dedicated and caring elected officials could help us. Now how do black some Americans, without any afterthought or consideration for what you are doing simply walk away from them as if they had been our enemies?
The first time I saw Bill Clinton in person, happened some years ago when Bill Clinton visited was the keynote speaker at the 10,000 seat modern and upscale mega church, the Jericho City of Praise. Jericho City of Praise, sits directly in front of the new home stadium of the once world champion Baltimore Ravens in Landover Maryland.
When Bill Clinton walked into the massive sanctuary, the energy level rose to a crescendo. There stood another white man, who like an Abraham Lincoln who had been assassinated before him, risked life, limb, reputation and standing to support a people who it appears today that would soon betray him and his wife, and leave them to bear their own crosses alone. This is a cross by the way, that they did not have to bear, and one that they did not ask to carry, even though the Clintons spent years fighting for social justice for all people, especially for black Americans.
The blacks ran up to him wanting to touch his hands as he attempted to exist the building, and the security team was obliging and backed off, knowing that Bill was among people who loved him. But what happened to the love?
I am reminded of a very prominent attorney that I was acquainted with many years ago. He often used his barrister skills gratis, in support of the black community. In fact I dated his sister for quite a while, and we even contemplated marriage. This black civil rights attorney worked hard to help remedy many of the wrongs that were being endured by blacks in America. In fact Mr. Parms did as much as one man could do! Ironically, his worst critics, his most violent enemies turned out to be, as much as he kept it anonymous, black people.
It was black people who called his house, and threatened him and his family - not whites. Hmm, there is a recurring theme here isn't there? I wonder, about all of the known and unknown black figures who where 'turned in or betrayed' by their people during America's turbeulent slave past. I wonder how many stood by and watched them be executed?
I wonder what those blacks who fought and died for freedom for all people must have felt, when they observed their own turn their backs on them at a time when they needed them the most, and when they had the opportunity to reciprocate? I wonder if Obama will be one of the former, if he is ever elected to the office of the President. Will he pretend that the Clintons are anathema, just as he is doing with Minister Farrakhan, a man who has consistently fought for social justice.
The scriptures teach that 'whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap'. How will the black nation react when a President Obama fails to give them what they want?
Will black people thank him or turn on him, and later call him the Uncle Tom President?
We are not a loyal people. And unfortunately too many black Americans still do not understand just how the political process actually works. Hillary Clinton retains the right to be first, Obama should have waited his turn! Black Americans should recall what happened in South Africa after Nelson Mandela became President. Many of those blacks who were jubilant at the onset had a change of heart. Why? Mandela was still forced to work with a majority white government. And as a result even to this day, two decades later, later blacks still live in townships.
Their properties were never returned, and for the most part neither have their social conditions changed!
V. The Loyalty Factor:
The Bible talks about disloyaltiy a lot doesn't it? In a familiar text in the book of 2 Timothy, Paul described the kind of undesirable character that often crops up in people. Paul wrote to Timothy, his young protege, these words:
But understand this, that in the last days there will be perilous times.
For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, inhuman, implacable, slanderers, profligates, fierce, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding the form of religion but denying the power of it. Avoid such people." (2 Timothy 3:1-5)
This recurrent theme, from where I am sitting is occuring today within black America, and this time it is occuring within in the black community. Many blacks are behaving towards the Clinton, in the same manner that Rush Limbaugh, Anne Coulter and other ultra conservative nuts are behaving towards one of their own, John McCain. On that side of the aisle, just as they swiftboated Senator John Kerry, once again they are going after John McCain - a man who served his country, something that neither of Anne, Russ or others ever did!
So the disloyalty factor is not unique to the black community, and neither is it uncommon. It seems to me that many blacks have completely overlooked or forgotten what the Clintons and others like them have done for us, or that they could care less. They went to war for us, and today like Limbaugh and Coulter (where is Bill Kristol?), many blacks are simply turning their backs on their war-wounded and simply walking away.
Have they forgotten the years of prosperity that we enjoyed given the efforts of the Clintons? Do we simply ignore the political capital that they both expended by their standing up and trying to alter our plight? Hillary deserves the first shot at being President. Obama ought to realize that it is her time, she earned it.
Obama should back off and do everything that he can from hereon to support her election? Hillary has earned the right to not be opposed by someone from the black community at this political juncture. I wish that Obama as well as the other portion of the black community would recognize the work that she has done to get this nation headed in the right direction.
And after recognizing the work, Obama and others should immediately show some appreciation by having Obama to extricate himself from the race, and by the other portion of the black community giving their primary support to Hillary Clinton.
Politics is a Nasty Business;, Now having said that, all of what is taking place with the black American electorate it is not Obama's fault. However, when I hear him criticize a woman who has been a saint and a dedicated servant to social justice issues, one who has fought so hard for the black community, I wonder, how can he criticize her or begin to try to step over her? Back off Obama, your day will come!
When I think about what loyalty and fidelity really mean, what does it say about the character of an Obama, if he won't be loyal to the ones who are responsible for helping him to get where he is today? Will he expect loyalty himself someday from those that he has helped? How will he feel if he doesn't get the help that he may feel that he deserves someday?
And with respect to the black community, if we won't show loyalty and fidelity to those who have fought so hard for us, one that has seniority, and has been a proven champion for the black cause, then after all has been said and done, what kind of character do we possess as a people?
Can someone tell me how an unthankful Senator, that is being supported by an unthankful group of people will fare together someday? I see problems ahead, even before and if Obama becomes the Democratic nominee or President of the United States of America. Obama should have welcomed the tutelage of the Clintons, and drawn from their domestic and international experience, not to mention their very important international connections.
Obama's attitutde should have been, help me to prepare to be the best President that this nation has ever had - and when my time comes, I will step up to the plate. In the early 1990's I sat in the VIP section at Stanford University when Reverend Jesse Jackson was invited to speak.
During the open mike question and answer period, one of our female students stepped to the micropohone. She asked, Reverend Jackson what can I do to support the cause of social justice. Reverend Jackson answered, do what you are doing right now and stay in school. He pointed out that all too often opportunities arise, however, finding individuals in the community that are qualified can be a challenge. I heard the same thing in 1983 in a meeting that was held at head of the Democratic Black Caucus, Perrin Mitchell's office.
Reverend Jackson used a baseball analogy to make his point. He said, often when the opportunity comes for one to step up to the plate and bat, instead of swinging a bat, all they have at their disposal is a toothpick. The young women looked disheartened for she was ready to serve at the time. However, Reverend Jackson's comments were on target. Is Obama more qualified now to be President than George W. Bush, even after he has served 7 years in office? Without a doubt he is more qualified.
Former Ambassador Alan Keyes said it best when he ran against George Bush, he said, 'the man does not have the mental capacity to be President'. And were his words fortuitous. So, some would say, if Obama is more qualified to be President than George Bush was, and George Bush became President than why shouldn't Obama be eligible to run for the office of the President? George Bushes ego got him in water that was way over his head, and he has been drowning, and the nation has been drowning ever since he took office.
I believe that individuals ought to set ego aside and have a reality check. All of us ought to be willing to prepare ourselves for the positions that we aspire to attain. There are a lot of things that I would like to do in life, however, many of the things that I would like to do, I am not qualified for yet. In the interim, I would gladly support someone who is more qualified than me to hold an office or position that I hope to attain someday.
How qualified is Obama? Does one speech qualify a person to be President. Muhammed Ali said it best years ago when he said, 'not just anyone can be President'! Even Obama assumes the office of President, trust me, he will need the help of the Clintons, the same Clintons that he is trying to upstage. Obama knew just like everyone else did that Hillary has been preparing herself for years to run for the office of President.
How is it that the Republicans can accomplish more with fewer voters. Their latest debacles notwithstanding, the Republicans have rganized themselves around a few planks, and they have created a long-term vision for their Party. The Republicans have created an incubator to prepare their future presidential candidates, and they have somewhat of a patronage system to determine a pool of their current candidates.
Even though Republicans do not agree as much as they pretend to on every issue, they have come up with a few consensus ideas. And every Republican will rally to support those ideas, and a single individual to champion those issues and to push their agenda.
Clearly, the Democratic Party is still in dissary, every individual wants to go for himself. The Democratics are not as organized around a limited number of ideas like their counterparts. And the Democrats do not have a sense of loyalty to their tenured candidates. The Clintons have the experience, the Clintons have the national and worldwide connections that will be needed to correct all of the problems that were created by the current administration in Washington.
The Clintons worked up through the loose Democratic system. When Bill Clinton was Governor of Arkansas, the Party recognized a rising star, given how he turned the state of Arkansas around and returned it to respectability. We know that Bill Clinton can talk, however, we also knew at the time that he ran for elected that he could walk the walk. Obama says, I did not support funding the war in Iraq as Hillary did. My God, the man was not even a United States Senator at the time. If he had been, who knows whether he would have caved in and voted for funding the war -given the pressure that he would have experienced in the Senate.
Obama, go and get prepared so that you can be the best President that this nation has ever had. Given the successes that you have had, I can only imagine where you will be after four years of sincere preparation.
Some analysts have already augured that what makes Obama so important to the white community is that Obama does not carry the civil rights baggage. My question to Obama would be, WHY NOT and WHERE WERE YOU while others risked life, limb and reputation to fight for such a noble cause. Jesus carried the baggage of the cross in order to set free those who were captive. Why is it that you do not have any civil rights baggage Mr. Obama? Black America should be asking the same question, why not?
I am not ashamed of those who carry the baggage of doing what elected and other paid government officials failed to do. They are the true heroes in this nation, just as President Jimmy Carter talked about at Coretta Scott King's funeral. The individuals who stood up for the promises of the American Bill of Rights, are not the ones that anyone should be ashamed of - they should be held up to the rest of the nation as examples of what each one of us should be!
To black sisters and brothers I remind you, we are not a monolithic community. We do not have to vote for a candidate who happens to be black or male. Racial and misogynistic voting practices ought to be a thing of the past. Remember Shirley Chisholm?
Hillary is a tragic figure and somewhat of a victim of the times, of the kind that the Apostle Paul wrote about. For we are living in a time when people, even black people love themselves and money more than godliness, a time when we have become unthankful trucebreakers living in our communities. And we know that already, because some of these break into our homes and cars, murder our children and parents, and infest our communities with drugs.
And just as nine of the ten lepers failed to return to Jesus to thank him for his work in delivering them from their debilating and permanent conditions, too many in our community have failed to return and to say thank you, by voting for Ms. Clinton first! This minister for one believes that the suppression of the feminine principle on Earth needs to be reversed! I agree that one of the reasons that the world is out balance, as one author wrote, is because the feminine has been suppressed by dominating males for such a prolonged period of time.
In Summary:
So what have we in America today? We have a disloyal Democratic presidential aspirant, that is being supported overwhelmingly by a disloyal community of African American citizens. What will happen to this unholy alliance, and will anyone ever go out on a limb for black America again, as the Clintons have done? I doubt it, particularly if they are observing what is happening now.
I can remember the cries of protest that came from Imus, the radio shock jock who vociferously supported Senator Harold Ford during Ford's run for a seat in the U.S. Senate. Imus always spoke well of Senator Ford, the Representative from Tennessee, and had him on his syndicated radio show on an almost weekly basis it would appear, during his election run. Imus supported Senator Ford until the bitter end!
The politics of race apparently defeated Senator Ford in the end. And when the politics of race were turned on Don Imus, he wondered, where was Senator Ford and all of the other blacks that he supported. Senator Ford and others abandoned Imus, just as the Apostles abadoned Jesus when he was hung on the cross.
Sorry Imus! We are not a loyal people!
Conclusion:
Some say that Hillary is divisive and that the best chance of getting rid of Bush would be to elect a candidate who does not carry her baggage. To those individuals I remind you of how controversial we have been as a people to the majority culture because of our black baggage, no pun intended. It would have been very easy for the Clintons to have said to us long ago, 'no masse'. However, they did not!
They could have chosen less controversial issues to fight for than for social justice and for the rights of black people. Had they done so, they would likely have been embraced by the majority culture, particularly by those who have rejected them - given their struggle to help us!
During black History Month, I would also remind my sisters and brothers of other so-called controversial figures like Jesus and Dr. Martin Luther. These two controversial figures turned the world upside down given their willigness to take on the controversial issues, and to be thought of as being controversial. And all of the thousands who clamored around Jesus in the beginning who looked for a miracle or a sign, also abandoned him when it came time for him to carry his cross.
Thank you Hillary and Bill for all that you have done for our community. And, just as you supported us, and all other social justice issues in this nation - unlike any other Presidential team in recent history. And even though you have been labeled 'liberal for doing so', a whole lot of us in the black community will support you and your candidacy until we win. And, we will never forget or overlook what you did for us!
WE support you first and foremost! You did not see color when you looked at us, and neither do we see color when we look at either of you!
peace & grace
Rev. C. Solomon
Addenda:
If you see the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment
and justice ina province, marvel not at the matter; for he that is higher
than the highest regardeth; and there be higher than they.
Moreover the profit of the earth is FOR ALL...!
Ecclesiastes 5:8 and 9, and written by a king no less - Hillary Clinton understands this, and Hillary Clinton is what the world needs right now. Obama, ought to stand down, work with the Clintons and prepare himself to be President, when Hillary turns over the reigns.
Most men do not understand the meaning of the 'female principle', I suspect that some females do not recognize its importance either. The men who have 'ruled' over women, just as God predicted and explained to Eve in the Garden of women, have suppressed a badly needed and missed contribution to the world!
In the book of Joel 2nd chapter, God announced through the prophet Joel, the reintroduction of what had been suppressed for thousands of years, the female voice!
Most have never lived in Africa, China or the near and far east!
Even if Hillary looses to Obama, he should be smart enough to
go back and thank the Clintons. For had it not been for them,
he would not be where he is today!
An Obama win would still represent a win for the Clintons,
they laid the groundwork, and Obama is running on the Clinton
vision!
The Clintons represent an ideological viewpoint in America,
individual Americans are not simply voting for 'The Clintons'.
Black voters, some do not realize that even if Obama becomes
President of the United States, that he will not be a President
who is there to exclusively serve the needs of black Americans.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jesus heals 10 lepers
only one of them returns to thank Jesus
Luke 17th chapter
11Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee.
12 As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance 13and called out in a loud voice, "Jesus, Master, have pity on us!"
14When he saw them, he said, "Go, show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were cleansed.
15One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16He threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan.
Disloyalty - Unthankful - Lovers of Self -
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
17Jesus asked, "Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine?
18 Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?"
19 Then he said to him, "Rise and go; your faith has made you well."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I. Black Americans Have Always Had Short Memories:
I attended a black tie affair some years ago in Washington D.C., when I was the President of a federation of community organizations. I was there as a delegate to the national conference of the United Neighborhood Centers of America. We spent five days in the nation's capitol attending various sessions and conferences, as we prepared to speak before members of the Congress of the United States of America.
We also met privately with individual Congresspeople throughout the week in order to discuss the deplorable conditions of inner-city neighborhoods as well as the plight of individuals who resided in poverty-stricken and underserved neighborhoods. Our ultimate goal was to determine what could be done in order to bring about change.
During an elegant evening reception at the Shoreham Hotel in Washington DC, totally unprovoked - one of our black attendees at the black-tie affair suddenly spoke out asking, can anyone tell me, 'what did Dr. King ever do for us'? I was standing closest to him at the time and I looked at him quizzically, having assumed that he was either joking, trying to get a rise out of the crowd or that he was seeking some kind of visceral reaction from the crowd.
After a few seconds of uncomfortable silence, and his having repeated the same question, a few of us realized that this black American was serious! Some years later when I considered his query, I reasoned that given the history of the black struggle in America, and all of those who fought, died and were betrayed by those that they tried to help, that I should not have been surprised at all given his innocuous behavior?
I even found myself trying to explain years later, as a result of the character played by Cedric the Entertainer in the movie 'Barbershop', to another couple of equally obtuse individuals, that people like Cedric's character in the feature film actually did exist within the black community. And of course I was thinking of this gentleman at the time.
What was so ironic was that these two knuckleheads (who reacted negatively to the derogatory remarks made about two of America's black icons, the late Rosa Parks and the Reverend Jesse Jackson), were in reality and in behavior mirror images of Cedric's character themselves! In fact one of the two had the same kind of gray splotching in his overextended side hairs, and he looked a lot like the character that Cedric portrayed. Not only that both of these two gentlemen were as bombastic as Cedric's character was, and not nearly as lovable!
How is it that some black people can so easily forget the ones who have helped them, the same ones that they cried to as the lepers did with Jesus for help? Why is it that the same black Americans who voted for politicians like Hillary in the past, asking them to help us, can simply walk away? Sadly, after they received the help they wanted, these same individuals simply turned and walked away never returning to say thank you or to show any appreciation for what the Clintons' did for them.
Kudos to those black Americans who have not ignored what they have received, given the hard work of the Clintons over the past 3 or 4 decades. Maxine Waters, Representative Lewis from Georgia and other congresspeople, ministers and individual citizens have decided as I have done - that the Clintons deserve our support given all of their proven and untiring support of the black community over the years. IF THEIR SHIP GOES DOWN WE SHOULD RIDE IT DOWN WITH THEM!
Will the Hillary Clinton election ship sink? I suspect that just as John McCain's ship reemerged from the dark depths of the sea, so will Hillary's ship soon be resurrected from an unexpected stormy sea! The fact is that America and the world needs a powerful female in power, one who can bring balance back into the world, by addressing all of of those issues that males tend to downplay and overlook for centuries now!
Some years ago my mom, ever the educator, told me something about people before she passed away. She said, let me tell you about one of our own and just what kind of person he really happens to be. She said that he is the kind that when he wants something from you, he can be so nice. However, as soon as he has gotten what he wants from you, he will no longer have any need for you, and he won't likely speak to you until he needs something from you again! Sadly, her words turned out to be true about my close relative, however, her words fit a lot of other Americans.
It would appear that many in the black community got what they wanted from the Clintons, and as far as they are concerned now - the Clintons can go back to Hope! Factually, I have seen the same kind attitude in some black Americans when it comes to black civil rights leaders, the same individuals who sacrificed all of their lives to help them to get to where they are today!
Now that they have experienced a modicum of success, much like the 9 lepers that Jesus healed (even though they had to take some action steps themselves in order to be healed) these black Americans do not feel indebted to the Clintons either! Non-blacks and other citizens of the world owe the Clintons a great deal of thanks!
II. Tired of the Two-Family Dynasty:
The best years that blacks have experienced during the history of this nation, have resulted from the hard work that was done by the Clinton family in conjunction with black leaders and fair non-black Americans. Did anyone complain about the Reagan two-term Presidential dynasty?
The fact that there has been a Bush Clinton family dynasty that has held sway over this nation for so long, did not come about without the help of black Americans and crossover democrats of all colors. All of these combined actually voted for President George W.H. Bush, and more recently for his son George W. Bush, our current President.
I am an Independent, and I have found it interesting that the same Republican Party that decided that the 'kinder gentler' first President Bush should be limited to only one term, made sure (and not without help) that he would not be elected to a second term. Black Americans helped to get the kinder-gentler Bush out of office and instead preferred the Clintons, who we all voted for en masse.
Following the Clinton years, when blacks benefited as never before - the same blacks again joined in with Republicans to elect another Bush and helped him to regain the White House. No one, except the wealthy, would argue that the second Bush has not done a horrible job of leading this nation. However, the question remains, how did he get elected? Answer? Not without the help of the black community.
And their having forgotten all of the prosperity that the nation and that blacks enjoyed under the Clintons, full employment for many blacks, the appointment of minority and women Justices... et al, half of the black community has come forth to say, we don't want anymore of what worked to benefit the entire nation in the past.. Away with them, crucify them I hear coming from a segment of the black community.
I ask, what have the Clintons ever done but help the black community? It would seem to me if ever you wanted a dynasty to persist, it would be the Clinton dynasty. But really what do black Americans know about dynasties?
The fact or the matter is that given the work that the Clintons engaged in over the years that benefited black people, many Americans refer to President Clinton as America's first black President. In fact Bill Clinton after he left office set up his working offices in Harlem New York. Can you name another President, or black Senator who has set up his offices in Harlem, or anywhere near Cottage Grove Avenue in Chicago Illinois?
Be it far from me to tell anyone how to vote, for after all we are not a monolithic community. Having said that however, and given the results so far in the American Democratic primaries, one has to wonder whether or not Hillary Clinton feels betrayed. Wouldn't you feel betrayed! I also wonder just how appreciative black Americans are to individuals who have made sacrifices for them?
I listened to Hillary speak on television during a sit down interview this past week. She said something that was both poignant and very interesting. Hillary explained that all of her life she had fought for the day when a black or a female would be able to be the President of the Untied States of America.
She then added however, I never thought that I would be 'the woman' to run against a 'black'. Once again I thought, but what must she really be feeling down on the inside, given how both she and her husband have stood by and fought for the black community and all of the rest of the underprivileged for so many years? Hillary could never have dreamed that the one to oppose her would be black!
And, now when the black community has an opportunity to show some loyalty and support to both her and her husband by voting for her in order to get the country back on track, almost half of 'the community' who voted in the primaries turned their backs on her as if she was the proverbial monster! The saying is true, 'no good deed goes unpunished'! And another saying appears to be true, that blood (and black Americans often refer to each other as blood), must be thicker than water. Don't feel bad Hillary, the brother in Washington DC that I wrote about earlier, couldn't see anything that Dr. Martin Luther King ever did for the black community either!
Jesus, and the story of the lepers came to mind as I thought more about what my own community is doing to Hillary. For after Jesus caused all of the leper-outcasts to be healed, those who requested his help - Jesus didn't run away from them. In spite of all of the other officials and townspeople who would have nothing to do with these outcasts, Jesus healed them - he did not run away from them. And like Hillary, what did Jesus get in return - only one in his case, returned to say thank you for giving me my life back!
Yes, blacks helped to elect the Clintons, but why did they help to elect them? The answer is simple, so that black people could get what they wanted, healing! They cried out to the Clintons, and begged them as well as demanded help from them. And the Clintons never disappointed the black community. And which dynasty would blacks prefer to come to an end? Shall we return to the Reagan years?
Do blacks really want to live under a McCain dynasty? His offspring will be out of the military by the time that he completes his first term. Just think about that for a minute! It seems to me that we all should be thinking about bringing back the dynasty that is proven. For folks the Clintons benefited all Americans, except perhaps the greedy, however, their greedlust is never satisfied. You could give them the whole world and still they would not be satisfied!
III. Blacks Have Waited A Long Time For A Black President Some Say!
Many blacks have dreamed of the day when America would have its first black President. And it would appear that their dream might come true, and or at least they have never been closer to having a black President. Truth be known, my classmates laughed at me when I was in the fourth grade, because I openly announced to the class that someday I would like to be the president of the United States of America.
One of my fellow-students immediately responded saying, nobody is going to elect a black President. Funny, I never said that I wanted to be a black President, I simply wanted to be the President of the United States. I won't insult those blacks who came out and heavily supported Obama during the Democrat primaries, by saying that they voted for Obama because he is black, however, I know that some did. Some will vote against black candidates by simply voting for white candidates (no matter how competent they are), and that has been going on in this nation since the beginning of this nation.
Years later and along with my 32 year tenure in the ministry, I have off and on been heavily involved in politics. Not only have I served as a Deputy Registrar at the local level, I have been heavily involved in politics in the District of Columbia'. And, other than being dissuaded from running for office, I dreamed of running for the office of Congress myself some years ago, by the Holy Spirit led me to not even try it.
Having said that however, it did not prevent me from getting involved, and as a result I have been heavily involved in meetings with Congressional Representatives and other government local and Federal officials on a one to one basis. I have also attended joint meetings with other black and white leaders in their Congressional offices on the Hill, as well as with many Civil Rights leaders. Why? I hoped that by doing so that my influence as a minister might help to turn this country to a Godly way of thinking! In fact I was flattered in Washington DC, when then Rep. Seiberling, having heard me speak, referred to me as 'the heavyweight'.
I also appreciated the personal instructions, counseling and mentoring that I received from former Congressman Augustus Hawkins of California in the nation's capitol. I gained a lot of insight from a meeting that I attended in the office of then Head of the Congressional Black Caucus, Perrin Mitchell, and more recently I appreciated discussions with men like Representative John Lewis, former Delegate Walter Fauntroy and others!
Obama, is an attractive political figure to say the least, so to say that I have anything against him running for office would be absurd, given that I wanted to do the same thing years ago myself. However, do we simply cast aside those who have served us and fought so hard for our full access to the opportunity structures of this country, and for us to enjoy our constitutionally guaranteed rights as citizens? Wouldn't it have made more sense for us to show some appreciation for what the Clintons and others have done for us.
Could Senator Obama have postponed his election and helped to build solidarity with those Americans, including the Clintons, who have have worked so hard and waited so long to complete the vision of social justice in this country? The Clintons, after all were the embodiment of that dream. Each time I hear Obama criticize Hillary, I cringe. In addition to his desultory campaign remarks, I know that he is only helping to weaken the side that he claims to believe in, and at the same time he is simply giving ammunition to the other side that will be used against the Clintons.
The Republicans are thinking, thank you Obama. What better gift could the Republicans have cast into their lap than to have a black Democrat to point out their faults and destroy the Clintons. Bill Clinton reminded the Democrats years ago that the Republicans never intended to relinquish the White House again when George H.W. Bush was President. They do not intend to build it now. As an Independent Voter, if either Party were to build a dynasty, I would rather see the Democrats build one instead of the Republicans.
The fact of the matter is that the Clintons could have done the same as most white Americans have done in the past; they could have looked out for themselves. The Clintons could did not have to risk their own lives or reputations, and be looked upon as being traitors or nigger lovers. They could have done whatever it took to make life easier for themselves. Can you imagine how much further along they would have in the White world if they had done so?
Newt Gingrich and others have given Bill Clinton the distinction of being the most astute politician of our times. But how do we the people who have been helped the most by the Clintons say thank in black America? We turn away from them and support, yes one of our own, however, one of our who factually has never done a modicum of what the Clintons have for America and the black community. And how do we say thank you black America? Why wouldn't the taciturn Obama wait his turn?
IV. Where Is the Loyalty Factor?
To the extent that many blacks in this nation have been healed and have enjoyed a better life-style and more freedoms, is due of late mostly to the Clintons. And although they did not do it all by themselves, the Clintons helped us in ways that only dedicated and caring elected officials could help us. Now how do black some Americans, without any afterthought or consideration for what you are doing simply walk away from them as if they had been our enemies?
The first time I saw Bill Clinton in person, happened some years ago when Bill Clinton visited was the keynote speaker at the 10,000 seat modern and upscale mega church, the Jericho City of Praise. Jericho City of Praise, sits directly in front of the new home stadium of the once world champion Baltimore Ravens in Landover Maryland.
When Bill Clinton walked into the massive sanctuary, the energy level rose to a crescendo. There stood another white man, who like an Abraham Lincoln who had been assassinated before him, risked life, limb, reputation and standing to support a people who it appears today that would soon betray him and his wife, and leave them to bear their own crosses alone. This is a cross by the way, that they did not have to bear, and one that they did not ask to carry, even though the Clintons spent years fighting for social justice for all people, especially for black Americans.
The blacks ran up to him wanting to touch his hands as he attempted to exist the building, and the security team was obliging and backed off, knowing that Bill was among people who loved him. But what happened to the love?
I am reminded of a very prominent attorney that I was acquainted with many years ago. He often used his barrister skills gratis, in support of the black community. In fact I dated his sister for quite a while, and we even contemplated marriage. This black civil rights attorney worked hard to help remedy many of the wrongs that were being endured by blacks in America. In fact Mr. Parms did as much as one man could do! Ironically, his worst critics, his most violent enemies turned out to be, as much as he kept it anonymous, black people.
It was black people who called his house, and threatened him and his family - not whites. Hmm, there is a recurring theme here isn't there? I wonder, about all of the known and unknown black figures who where 'turned in or betrayed' by their people during America's turbeulent slave past. I wonder how many stood by and watched them be executed?
I wonder what those blacks who fought and died for freedom for all people must have felt, when they observed their own turn their backs on them at a time when they needed them the most, and when they had the opportunity to reciprocate? I wonder if Obama will be one of the former, if he is ever elected to the office of the President. Will he pretend that the Clintons are anathema, just as he is doing with Minister Farrakhan, a man who has consistently fought for social justice.
The scriptures teach that 'whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap'. How will the black nation react when a President Obama fails to give them what they want?
Will black people thank him or turn on him, and later call him the Uncle Tom President?
We are not a loyal people. And unfortunately too many black Americans still do not understand just how the political process actually works. Hillary Clinton retains the right to be first, Obama should have waited his turn! Black Americans should recall what happened in South Africa after Nelson Mandela became President. Many of those blacks who were jubilant at the onset had a change of heart. Why? Mandela was still forced to work with a majority white government. And as a result even to this day, two decades later, later blacks still live in townships.
Their properties were never returned, and for the most part neither have their social conditions changed!
V. The Loyalty Factor:
The Bible talks about disloyaltiy a lot doesn't it? In a familiar text in the book of 2 Timothy, Paul described the kind of undesirable character that often crops up in people. Paul wrote to Timothy, his young protege, these words:
But understand this, that in the last days there will be perilous times.
For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, inhuman, implacable, slanderers, profligates, fierce, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding the form of religion but denying the power of it. Avoid such people." (2 Timothy 3:1-5)
This recurrent theme, from where I am sitting is occuring today within black America, and this time it is occuring within in the black community. Many blacks are behaving towards the Clinton, in the same manner that Rush Limbaugh, Anne Coulter and other ultra conservative nuts are behaving towards one of their own, John McCain. On that side of the aisle, just as they swiftboated Senator John Kerry, once again they are going after John McCain - a man who served his country, something that neither of Anne, Russ or others ever did!
So the disloyalty factor is not unique to the black community, and neither is it uncommon. It seems to me that many blacks have completely overlooked or forgotten what the Clintons and others like them have done for us, or that they could care less. They went to war for us, and today like Limbaugh and Coulter (where is Bill Kristol?), many blacks are simply turning their backs on their war-wounded and simply walking away.
Have they forgotten the years of prosperity that we enjoyed given the efforts of the Clintons? Do we simply ignore the political capital that they both expended by their standing up and trying to alter our plight? Hillary deserves the first shot at being President. Obama ought to realize that it is her time, she earned it.
Obama should back off and do everything that he can from hereon to support her election? Hillary has earned the right to not be opposed by someone from the black community at this political juncture. I wish that Obama as well as the other portion of the black community would recognize the work that she has done to get this nation headed in the right direction.
And after recognizing the work, Obama and others should immediately show some appreciation by having Obama to extricate himself from the race, and by the other portion of the black community giving their primary support to Hillary Clinton.
Politics is a Nasty Business;, Now having said that, all of what is taking place with the black American electorate it is not Obama's fault. However, when I hear him criticize a woman who has been a saint and a dedicated servant to social justice issues, one who has fought so hard for the black community, I wonder, how can he criticize her or begin to try to step over her? Back off Obama, your day will come!
When I think about what loyalty and fidelity really mean, what does it say about the character of an Obama, if he won't be loyal to the ones who are responsible for helping him to get where he is today? Will he expect loyalty himself someday from those that he has helped? How will he feel if he doesn't get the help that he may feel that he deserves someday?
And with respect to the black community, if we won't show loyalty and fidelity to those who have fought so hard for us, one that has seniority, and has been a proven champion for the black cause, then after all has been said and done, what kind of character do we possess as a people?
Can someone tell me how an unthankful Senator, that is being supported by an unthankful group of people will fare together someday? I see problems ahead, even before and if Obama becomes the Democratic nominee or President of the United States of America. Obama should have welcomed the tutelage of the Clintons, and drawn from their domestic and international experience, not to mention their very important international connections.
Obama's attitutde should have been, help me to prepare to be the best President that this nation has ever had - and when my time comes, I will step up to the plate. In the early 1990's I sat in the VIP section at Stanford University when Reverend Jesse Jackson was invited to speak.
During the open mike question and answer period, one of our female students stepped to the micropohone. She asked, Reverend Jackson what can I do to support the cause of social justice. Reverend Jackson answered, do what you are doing right now and stay in school. He pointed out that all too often opportunities arise, however, finding individuals in the community that are qualified can be a challenge. I heard the same thing in 1983 in a meeting that was held at head of the Democratic Black Caucus, Perrin Mitchell's office.
Reverend Jackson used a baseball analogy to make his point. He said, often when the opportunity comes for one to step up to the plate and bat, instead of swinging a bat, all they have at their disposal is a toothpick. The young women looked disheartened for she was ready to serve at the time. However, Reverend Jackson's comments were on target. Is Obama more qualified now to be President than George W. Bush, even after he has served 7 years in office? Without a doubt he is more qualified.
Former Ambassador Alan Keyes said it best when he ran against George Bush, he said, 'the man does not have the mental capacity to be President'. And were his words fortuitous. So, some would say, if Obama is more qualified to be President than George Bush was, and George Bush became President than why shouldn't Obama be eligible to run for the office of the President? George Bushes ego got him in water that was way over his head, and he has been drowning, and the nation has been drowning ever since he took office.
I believe that individuals ought to set ego aside and have a reality check. All of us ought to be willing to prepare ourselves for the positions that we aspire to attain. There are a lot of things that I would like to do in life, however, many of the things that I would like to do, I am not qualified for yet. In the interim, I would gladly support someone who is more qualified than me to hold an office or position that I hope to attain someday.
How qualified is Obama? Does one speech qualify a person to be President. Muhammed Ali said it best years ago when he said, 'not just anyone can be President'! Even Obama assumes the office of President, trust me, he will need the help of the Clintons, the same Clintons that he is trying to upstage. Obama knew just like everyone else did that Hillary has been preparing herself for years to run for the office of President.
How is it that the Republicans can accomplish more with fewer voters. Their latest debacles notwithstanding, the Republicans have rganized themselves around a few planks, and they have created a long-term vision for their Party. The Republicans have created an incubator to prepare their future presidential candidates, and they have somewhat of a patronage system to determine a pool of their current candidates.
Even though Republicans do not agree as much as they pretend to on every issue, they have come up with a few consensus ideas. And every Republican will rally to support those ideas, and a single individual to champion those issues and to push their agenda.
Clearly, the Democratic Party is still in dissary, every individual wants to go for himself. The Democratics are not as organized around a limited number of ideas like their counterparts. And the Democrats do not have a sense of loyalty to their tenured candidates. The Clintons have the experience, the Clintons have the national and worldwide connections that will be needed to correct all of the problems that were created by the current administration in Washington.
The Clintons worked up through the loose Democratic system. When Bill Clinton was Governor of Arkansas, the Party recognized a rising star, given how he turned the state of Arkansas around and returned it to respectability. We know that Bill Clinton can talk, however, we also knew at the time that he ran for elected that he could walk the walk. Obama says, I did not support funding the war in Iraq as Hillary did. My God, the man was not even a United States Senator at the time. If he had been, who knows whether he would have caved in and voted for funding the war -given the pressure that he would have experienced in the Senate.
Obama, go and get prepared so that you can be the best President that this nation has ever had. Given the successes that you have had, I can only imagine where you will be after four years of sincere preparation.
Some analysts have already augured that what makes Obama so important to the white community is that Obama does not carry the civil rights baggage. My question to Obama would be, WHY NOT and WHERE WERE YOU while others risked life, limb and reputation to fight for such a noble cause. Jesus carried the baggage of the cross in order to set free those who were captive. Why is it that you do not have any civil rights baggage Mr. Obama? Black America should be asking the same question, why not?
I am not ashamed of those who carry the baggage of doing what elected and other paid government officials failed to do. They are the true heroes in this nation, just as President Jimmy Carter talked about at Coretta Scott King's funeral. The individuals who stood up for the promises of the American Bill of Rights, are not the ones that anyone should be ashamed of - they should be held up to the rest of the nation as examples of what each one of us should be!
To black sisters and brothers I remind you, we are not a monolithic community. We do not have to vote for a candidate who happens to be black or male. Racial and misogynistic voting practices ought to be a thing of the past. Remember Shirley Chisholm?
Hillary is a tragic figure and somewhat of a victim of the times, of the kind that the Apostle Paul wrote about. For we are living in a time when people, even black people love themselves and money more than godliness, a time when we have become unthankful trucebreakers living in our communities. And we know that already, because some of these break into our homes and cars, murder our children and parents, and infest our communities with drugs.
And just as nine of the ten lepers failed to return to Jesus to thank him for his work in delivering them from their debilating and permanent conditions, too many in our community have failed to return and to say thank you, by voting for Ms. Clinton first! This minister for one believes that the suppression of the feminine principle on Earth needs to be reversed! I agree that one of the reasons that the world is out balance, as one author wrote, is because the feminine has been suppressed by dominating males for such a prolonged period of time.
In Summary:
So what have we in America today? We have a disloyal Democratic presidential aspirant, that is being supported overwhelmingly by a disloyal community of African American citizens. What will happen to this unholy alliance, and will anyone ever go out on a limb for black America again, as the Clintons have done? I doubt it, particularly if they are observing what is happening now.
I can remember the cries of protest that came from Imus, the radio shock jock who vociferously supported Senator Harold Ford during Ford's run for a seat in the U.S. Senate. Imus always spoke well of Senator Ford, the Representative from Tennessee, and had him on his syndicated radio show on an almost weekly basis it would appear, during his election run. Imus supported Senator Ford until the bitter end!
The politics of race apparently defeated Senator Ford in the end. And when the politics of race were turned on Don Imus, he wondered, where was Senator Ford and all of the other blacks that he supported. Senator Ford and others abandoned Imus, just as the Apostles abadoned Jesus when he was hung on the cross.
Sorry Imus! We are not a loyal people!
Conclusion:
Some say that Hillary is divisive and that the best chance of getting rid of Bush would be to elect a candidate who does not carry her baggage. To those individuals I remind you of how controversial we have been as a people to the majority culture because of our black baggage, no pun intended. It would have been very easy for the Clintons to have said to us long ago, 'no masse'. However, they did not!
They could have chosen less controversial issues to fight for than for social justice and for the rights of black people. Had they done so, they would likely have been embraced by the majority culture, particularly by those who have rejected them - given their struggle to help us!
During black History Month, I would also remind my sisters and brothers of other so-called controversial figures like Jesus and Dr. Martin Luther. These two controversial figures turned the world upside down given their willigness to take on the controversial issues, and to be thought of as being controversial. And all of the thousands who clamored around Jesus in the beginning who looked for a miracle or a sign, also abandoned him when it came time for him to carry his cross.
Thank you Hillary and Bill for all that you have done for our community. And, just as you supported us, and all other social justice issues in this nation - unlike any other Presidential team in recent history. And even though you have been labeled 'liberal for doing so', a whole lot of us in the black community will support you and your candidacy until we win. And, we will never forget or overlook what you did for us!
WE support you first and foremost! You did not see color when you looked at us, and neither do we see color when we look at either of you!
peace & grace
Rev. C. Solomon
Addenda:
If you see the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment
and justice ina province, marvel not at the matter; for he that is higher
than the highest regardeth; and there be higher than they.
Moreover the profit of the earth is FOR ALL...!
Ecclesiastes 5:8 and 9, and written by a king no less - Hillary Clinton understands this, and Hillary Clinton is what the world needs right now. Obama, ought to stand down, work with the Clintons and prepare himself to be President, when Hillary turns over the reigns.
Most men do not understand the meaning of the 'female principle', I suspect that some females do not recognize its importance either. The men who have 'ruled' over women, just as God predicted and explained to Eve in the Garden of women, have suppressed a badly needed and missed contribution to the world!
In the book of Joel 2nd chapter, God announced through the prophet Joel, the reintroduction of what had been suppressed for thousands of years, the female voice!
Feb 14, 2008
The Rev to the Washington Post Blog: Valentines Day 2008
The Topic: Iraq Successes Hang in the Balance by Wm Arkin
Key to the defense of maintaining the status quo in Iraq offered by Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in The Post yesterday...
The Rev Replied:
This would be a lose - lose proposition,
... even if the Iraqi catastrophe turns out to be a success for American imperialism, and even if selected Iraqi Benedict Arnold's were to benefit from the American infraction.
Furthermore, if this invasion and occupation-liberation ruse succeeds, it will only create a precedent for future American administrations, and inspire them to behave in-kind. All foe nations of the USA would be in danger for the forseeable future! Why else does America insist on keeping certain nations who could reverse that trend, unarmed!
The fact of the matter is that the American invasion was never intended to benefit Iraqis, it was done for the sole benefit, as Condi admits, of the United States of America.
And that policy my friends is flawed on its face. The Iraqi people at-large, still don't have what they want - self determination! And the current Administration and some Americans on the Right simply do not consider that to be a matter worth discussing!
Any bully nation with superior force has the ability to force its will on lesser equipped nations. To behave as we have in my opinion, makes America no more than a rogue outlaw nation with rogue leaders at the helm - even the beautiful Condoleeza Rice!
Posted by: The Rev | February 14, 2008 03:28 PM
Peace & Grace
Rev. C. Solomon
Addenda: And Happy Valentine's day to the lovely Condoleeza Rice. Condi was Provost when I served on the Executive Board for Afro American Staff and
Faculty at Stanford. Although, we did not share a close relationship
with our Black Provost; and most of us had a different opinion
about how we could improve the world, and better serve
Afro-American issues at Stanford and elsewhere,
most of us respected Dr. Rice and viewed her
as an erudite, professional, accomplished
and succesful human being.
I don't have a girlfriend and in honor of Black History Month, I will wish her
and all of the other Black Conservatives around the country who I oftentimes don't agree with on every issue, but always find to be very capable people - a Happy Vallentine's Day! - hopefully, I won't get
nuked for doing so by their side!
Key to the defense of maintaining the status quo in Iraq offered by Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in The Post yesterday...
The Rev Replied:
This would be a lose - lose proposition,
... even if the Iraqi catastrophe turns out to be a success for American imperialism, and even if selected Iraqi Benedict Arnold's were to benefit from the American infraction.
Furthermore, if this invasion and occupation-liberation ruse succeeds, it will only create a precedent for future American administrations, and inspire them to behave in-kind. All foe nations of the USA would be in danger for the forseeable future! Why else does America insist on keeping certain nations who could reverse that trend, unarmed!
The fact of the matter is that the American invasion was never intended to benefit Iraqis, it was done for the sole benefit, as Condi admits, of the United States of America.
And that policy my friends is flawed on its face. The Iraqi people at-large, still don't have what they want - self determination! And the current Administration and some Americans on the Right simply do not consider that to be a matter worth discussing!
Any bully nation with superior force has the ability to force its will on lesser equipped nations. To behave as we have in my opinion, makes America no more than a rogue outlaw nation with rogue leaders at the helm - even the beautiful Condoleeza Rice!
Posted by: The Rev | February 14, 2008 03:28 PM
Peace & Grace
Rev. C. Solomon
Addenda: And Happy Valentine's day to the lovely Condoleeza Rice. Condi was Provost when I served on the Executive Board for Afro American Staff and
Faculty at Stanford. Although, we did not share a close relationship
with our Black Provost; and most of us had a different opinion
about how we could improve the world, and better serve
Afro-American issues at Stanford and elsewhere,
most of us respected Dr. Rice and viewed her
as an erudite, professional, accomplished
and succesful human being.
I don't have a girlfriend and in honor of Black History Month, I will wish her
and all of the other Black Conservatives around the country who I oftentimes don't agree with on every issue, but always find to be very capable people - a Happy Vallentine's Day! - hopefully, I won't get
nuked for doing so by their side!
Feb 11, 2008
The Rev To The Washington Post Blog: 02/11/08
The underground political establishment -
will undermine either Hillary or Obama, if either of these two were to become
President of the United States
of America just as they
attempted to do with
Bill Clinton!
Has anyone ever lived with a controlling person? The rest of the world has
tired of living with a controlling
nation, the U.S.A.! The people
of Iraq live under Marshal Law
as it is, America is the
marshal!
I trust that we will put someone in office
that will redact the illegal actions
of our nation, and then allow
other nations and people
to find their own way,
and live in the
manner that they
choose to live!
Posted by: The Rev | February 11, 2008 08:13 PM
I believe that both dreamers are correct, Obama and McCain...
We absolutely should withdraw from Iraq as Obama forestated. Will it stablize the
region from an American perspective, no, however, we didn't consider the
region to be stable before dropping in!
Senator McCain is also right, that is, if Iraq is going to behave in the manner that the U.S.A. wants it to, the U.S.A. will have to remain there into perpetuity and ensure that Iraq conforms to American dictates.
The American people will have to decide which flavor of the week they prefer. A smart American President ought to simply invade a country in the Americas. That way, it with satisfy that leader, his Party and some American's bloodthirst - and the troops will be close enough to come home on furloughs for the weekends during a one-hundred year war!
Problem solved? No, however, the problem will never be solved, because the actual problem resides right here in the United States of America. It is called bad policy, hegemony, adventurism, greed and duplicity!
If you think about it, the Treaty at Versaille was signed nearly a centruy ago, and the United States (Britain in stars and stripes) is still trying to stabilize that portion of the old British Empire. Tch tch!
In honor of Black History Month: When will the majority culture, soon to be the minority culture in this nation realize that you just cannot force other people into doing what you want them to do? It never lasts - and you never learn---
The Rev
Posted by: The Rev | February 11,
will undermine either Hillary or Obama, if either of these two were to become
President of the United States
of America just as they
attempted to do with
Bill Clinton!
Has anyone ever lived with a controlling person? The rest of the world has
tired of living with a controlling
nation, the U.S.A.! The people
of Iraq live under Marshal Law
as it is, America is the
marshal!
I trust that we will put someone in office
that will redact the illegal actions
of our nation, and then allow
other nations and people
to find their own way,
and live in the
manner that they
choose to live!
Posted by: The Rev | February 11, 2008 08:13 PM
I believe that both dreamers are correct, Obama and McCain...
We absolutely should withdraw from Iraq as Obama forestated. Will it stablize the
region from an American perspective, no, however, we didn't consider the
region to be stable before dropping in!
Senator McCain is also right, that is, if Iraq is going to behave in the manner that the U.S.A. wants it to, the U.S.A. will have to remain there into perpetuity and ensure that Iraq conforms to American dictates.
The American people will have to decide which flavor of the week they prefer. A smart American President ought to simply invade a country in the Americas. That way, it with satisfy that leader, his Party and some American's bloodthirst - and the troops will be close enough to come home on furloughs for the weekends during a one-hundred year war!
Problem solved? No, however, the problem will never be solved, because the actual problem resides right here in the United States of America. It is called bad policy, hegemony, adventurism, greed and duplicity!
If you think about it, the Treaty at Versaille was signed nearly a centruy ago, and the United States (Britain in stars and stripes) is still trying to stabilize that portion of the old British Empire. Tch tch!
In honor of Black History Month: When will the majority culture, soon to be the minority culture in this nation realize that you just cannot force other people into doing what you want them to do? It never lasts - and you never learn---
The Rev
Posted by: The Rev | February 11,
Black History Month: A New Black History A New National Paradigm And A Nation Being Reshaped
I was thinking....
We can look back now and wonder, how we 'got' over - in
consideration of the changes that have been made?
Quotation:
If we keep doing what we have been doing
We will keep getting
What we have been getting!
Author: Said Derrick Bell of Faces At the Bottom of the Well
Tonight I had the pleasure of hearing
Professor Angela Davis speak in an
intimate setting at Mills College in Oakland California,
and she nailed it - more on her talk in the future!
__________________________________________________
Introduction:
A decade or so ago, I was in a conversation with one of my closest Filipino friends. Lourdes, her husband and I became friends at Stanford University. I enjoyed sharing their beautiful Time Share accommodations one winter, at the foot of Heavenly Valley in Lake Tahoe some years ago. Lourdes, it turned out had been a victim of prolonged and systematic racial and sexual discrimination at Stanford, well, until the Rev came along and helped to bring her trial by fire to a close!
I. What Happened To Lourdes?"
One day, I noticed Lourdes cowering following some uninterpretable words that were directed at her in the Pilipino language by a Stanford staff member. I went to her and inquired, what did he say to you?
Lourdes and her extended family were recent newcomers to the U.S.A., she did not understand that she did not have to put with the sexual and racial harassment that she endured from this white Stanford faculty member. Lourdes was so new to the U.S.A., I was told that when she met her new manager at Stanford she actually bowed in front of her when they met!
We didn't know each other that well at the time that I witnessed the incident, and she would only tell me that what her co-worker was saying very nasty things to her. The next time I heard him, I jotted down the words that he spoke, took them to a translator - and was stunned to learn the meaning of the salacious words that he constantly tortured this woman with on a regular basis.
I went to the staffmember, and subsequently to his boss - given his negative reaction when I confronted him. To my surprise, his female boss defended him. And no wonder, she subsequently expressed her upset over being forced to attend 'multi-cultural and sensitivity training classes at the University'. She felt that the one's who were guilty of any infractions should be made to attend those classes, not her!
Given my newly acquired status at the University, I discussed the problem with my colleagues and believe me something was done. It took a while, and in the end there were financial payouts and the perpetrator was eventually suspended. He didn't like me, but like most bullies - he was nothing but a coward (I grew up with one of those so I was completely unfazed by his antipathy).
II. American Institutions Run Rampant With Racial Discord:
There were many infractions of this kind on the campus. In speaking with the VP of Human Resources, a friend and colleague - he said, at Stanford we advocate multi-culturalism, however, we really don't know how to manage it.
We were also having problems within our classes, a student actually called a black professor a nigger during class. Other white students began openly taunting minority students as well as black staff during class, proclaiming that the only reason that they were there in the first place was because of 'Affirmative Action'.
The University, like many other colleges and universities that were experiencing similar problems (no hanging nooses at the time), didn't know what to do at first. Some of our bold white students insisted that they had a First Amendment 'free speech right' protected by the constitution, that protected their right to say whatever they wanted; even the right to call a professor 'nigger' while class was in session.
Clearly the past few centuries in America and the multi-cultural experiment that ensued, which was responsible for bringing disparate and disparaged cultures together, had not run as smoothly as one would have hoped. And given this nation's creeds, one would certainly have expected that if any nation in this world would have done a better job of dealing with multi-culturalism, the United States would have been the one to do so.
What were individuals of disparate races actually saying to other races and diverse people? In short they were saying: You are not going to make me love you!
Even when Alexis de Tocqueville and his comrade visited the United States in the 19th Century in order to write about America's successful democracy, and democratization across the land, he did not shield the unfavorable facts. In spite of his otherwise glowing assessment of the American experiment, he wrote about the economic disparities and social stratification that persisted in this land, in deference to all of its noble creeds.
And how far have we come? Believe it or not, things have gotten better - so much so that some Americans who fought for a multi-cultural society, and for freedom for all people regardless of one's racial ethnicity are beginning to balk at it. Wouldn't it be something if we discover one day that God chose America to conduct this racial experiment on, hoping that its outcomes would be beneficial for and to all other nations of the earth?
III. Why Are You Bringing That White Girl To My House:
A former black girlfriend's son reached dating age a few years ago. His mom became very disheartened because her son preferred white girls over black ones. He was receiving notes, gifts, phone calls and all from white girls. His mom discussed her feelings with me. I said, well isn't this what we fought for during the turbulent 60's and 70's, the right to choose?
And I asked her, isn't this what Dr. King envisioned, a day when little black boys and little white girls would walk hand in hand...? Many of us did not realize what we were saying, neither did we take the words of Dr. King's speech literally. It was as if we wanted the freedom, however, we did not expect anyone to take it this far, especially when they wanted to bring individuals of other races right into black domiciles.
Dr. King, we now know dated a white woman during his college years. And frankly, many of our black civil rights leaders have from time to time been involved with women of other races - if not married to them. A group of us at Stanford rolled with laughter when we were told about one of of our 'down with the cause - power to the people right on - afro pick - Mandingo warrior - Afro-Centric organization leading brothers', who was previously exposed! How?
First of all this brother was black through and through, he looked, walked, talked and exuded blackness. This brother was so black that when he got into a car, the oil light would come on. He lived in Ujamaa, Stanford's black theme dorm. The problem was that over the weekends, he was always missing in action according to his dorm mates. Different students began to wonder about his weekly disappearing act, well that is until...!
One day, one of the students happened to be visiting nearby South San Francisco, a city roughly 30 miles from the campus. And who did they stumble across that was all hugged up with his white girlfriend, their 'down - black is beautiful - power to the people right on - afro picking - Nubian black leadership - Mandingo Warrior- brother! Given his strident viewpoints with regard to Afro-centrism, he did not want anyone to know that he had crossed over to the other side! No one had to make this brother love white women!
IV. Shocked Black Parents Will Have To Reconsider Their Own Racial Attitudes:
Many parents today will have to deal with their personal racial animus. The days of saying that it is the whites who do not want the blacks around, are being replaced by many black parents who are saying to their youngsters: Why are you bringing that white girl or boy up in my house?
In News Orleans where the paper bag test used to be prominent, some kids were shown paper bags and told two stories, if they aren't lighter than this paper - or, on the other hand if they are lighter than this paper bag, do not bring them home. And how about that other saying in the black community, 'if they can't use your comb don't bring her home'!
Okay, over the years there have been some exceptions. However, when most blacks witnessed multi-cultural couples in their neighborhoods or at sporting venues (O.J. and German girlfriend and late wife Nicole Simpson come to mind) a couple of decades ago, it was still somewhat of an anomaly back then. The Rev was was once dressed down by a couple of his college classmates.
I was the president of the Student-Faculty League of Social Workers at one of my college Alma Maters, I had been elected to office by both blacks and whites. One day, a white classmate invited me to go and to watch Prince's new movie at that time, "Purple Rain". The movie was showing in an on-campus theater. I said, sure why not? And we proceeded to walk a couple of buildings over, where we entered the campus theater and proceeded to watch the film together.
Ah, but a day or two later two of my black female campus classmates attacked me in the hallway. Their question went something like this, what is it when you brothers 'get up there' (I was President remember of the league, and they likely voted me in) that you have to run off and get a white girl? Eek, and 'shiver me timbers'!!!
Folks, I was stunned and about to catch a beat-down from the looks of things. Neither of these women had ever asked me out. And frankly, I hadn't considered going to watch a film with one of my student classmates, an infraction - after all I was her president as well as their president. I didn't tell them this, however, there was nothing between Becky and I. She never said anything out of place to me, and she did help me to get elected by campaigning and by petitioning the overwhelming majority white social work department to vote for me.
VI. What's Missing?
I know of many other black parents who are struggling, given that their kids are coming home with beaus and girlfriends from every color of the rainbow, as well as from various ethnic groups. Can't we all just get along? Not yet apparently!
A professor who later became a friend of mine, that relocated to our state approximately two decades ago, asked me to tell him where he could find a home, in an upper middle-class neighborhood where there were blacks. This dark hued and bald professor, was concerned that his black on the outside kids, were more white on the inside. Prior to relocating from New York, he had always resided in white communities. The professor wanted to turn his girls black inside, by exposing them to the black culture.
During my talks with Lourdes - who offered to introduce me to a few of her female friends and relatives, just as another friend (last name Chou) offered to fix me up with a relative of her's from Taiwan - we discussed our common heritage. The Filipino people are aware that they are descended from 'the Negritas'. Negritas' were direct descendants of Africans who mixed with islanders to produce the Filipino people.
With our new found ability to trace one's roots today, by using Mitochondrial DNA, it has been confirmed in an anecdotal sense anyway, that many of us share a common heritage. In other words, we are all related and or at least mixed with other races. I learned recently that my late maternal grandmother is part German. And that means that I have some of Hitler's blood in me!
In fact Hitler was related to the Salomons. He might be a relative of mine, or at least a relative of one of my family's Jewish slaveowners!
My God, I have always blasted the Germans for their racist attitudes and for their claims of Aryan purity and superiority, as well as their mistreatment of the Jewish people. And to find out that I had a little German in my blood, man, this was the thing that not only was Hitler trying to avoid, I was trying to avoid it too. Cousin Hitler and I might have been homey's, had we lived at the same time!
Hitler wanted to rid the world of the 'schwarze' and the Jews, the latter by extermination, so that the pure Aryan race would be free from the Jews that were so powerful in eastern Europe, and as he once noted in America.
It must have stunned him, if all accounts were true, to know that he had the blood of Jews running through his veins. I have always been equally as proud of my purely black (Jesse Owens like) pedigree. Man, all of us are mixed!
Astronaut Mae Jemison, one of our many infamous Stanford Alumni always appeared to have a tint of Chinese in her as far as I was concerned. I would study her closely on her return visits to the campus. Don't get me wrong, she was a FINE looking woman, may I add; but she wasn't fully black I thought. Did I say that she was fine! Sorry, I am a Rev but the Rev has good eyes, and he appreciates the 'finer things in life' er herm! Okay, I admit it I look at some women and say "LAWD have mercy! But I don't act on it folks!
Recently, with the help of Professor Louis Gates from Harvard and Yale, Dr. Jemison learned that she was part Asian, just as I had always suspected!
So what are we going to do now that it is being confirmed that many of us are mixed with Irish blood, or Indian blood or God forbid..., I won't say it? Similar to the Brasilians, we are a mongrel country. Reverend Al Sharpton must have..., well, let's not talk about that either. Years ago I met a white woman who wanted to date the Rev, she accused the reverend of being a reverse racist , when I declined her invitation to date.
Now folks, maybe somewhere deep down inside I did or did not want to date her given that she was white, however, my real reason for not wanting to date her was because the Rev was simply not attracted to her.
I asked another white woman who wanted to date the Rev, why do you want to exclusively date black men? She answered me this way, she said, 'some people like pork chops'! It took me a week to figure out what she was talking about, pork chops? Hey, I'm slow! She was saying that some people like pork chops and some like beef shanks, and that some people like white meat and others black men! By the time I figured it out, she was long gone anyway, besides, I felt that her reason for wanting to date black men was mostly shallow even if I didn't know what she meant by that pork chop comment.
VII. Dr. King's Vision Has Become A Reality:
So what are we going to do now that the King vision, along with its unexpected consequences has become a reality in our lives today? We could return to the 50's, and admit that the white segregationists were correct! But before we do that let me tell you a few more short stories.
I was speaking with a white woman on the phone some years ago. We were engaged in a business discussion, when she drifted off and began sharing her feelings about her daughter and her mixed granddaughter. Now get this, she did not know that the Rev was a black man, and she went on to tell me how her daughter had a child by 'one of them'; that is what she actually said. Her daughter even married him, she went on to say.
Never pausing to consider how I might react regardless of my race, she explained that she treated the child nicely, because it wasn't the child's fault or something to that effect. Poor woman I thought as I hung up later without telling her that she was talking to a black man. She was obviously very comfortable with me over the phone, and we agreed to do business together before I hung up. It was a good thing that we did our work over the phone!
And on yet another occasion, when the Rev attempted to reach a white gentleman to conduct business with around the same time, his wife reacted differently when she answered the phone. I had phoned this gentleman's house a couple of times before, and each time she would answer the phone. Her husband asked, in the background, who is that on the phone? His wife responded so that I could hear her, "its that damn nigger again'. Ouch!!
When I was young, about 17 to be exact, I started searching for my first apartment. I had already been turned down at one place, despite the fact that I qualified, had a great job and could easily pay the rent. Why? Because the whites didn't want a black in the building, that is what the apologetic and apoplectic owner of the building told me.
While continuing my search for my first apartment, another white woman who was pleased at first speaking with me over the phone, apparently, detected that I was black. All of the sudden she cut the conversation short, saying as she hung up - "I don't rent to niggers", . Tears tears!!
Today, there has been a positive shift in race relations in this country to a certain degree. Instead of, I don't want you here, now it is - how do I get you over here? And the interesting thing is, I don't want to be there, I am happy being right where I am, black and single! Is the Rev a reverse racist? I like to think of myself more like what Theologian Dr. C. Eric Lincoln from New York described as 'conscious of kind'; something that is apparently innate!
All of us discriminate with respect to what we eat, drink, wear..., and who we date. All of us are more comfortable with people with whom we feel that we have something in common!
I frequently encounter women from various cultures and different ethnic backgrounds, who are absolutely gorgeous. And even though technically, I have never dated outside of my own race - some might not agree, I don't see anything wrong with dating or marrying whoever you want to marry. Simply make sure that God approves of it, and that you don't see the person as a 'pork chop', er herm!
Now because the Rev tended to be somewhat erudite, doctrinaire, articulate, successful and perhaps snooty back in the day some have told me, I suspect that is why a black woman menacingly asked me or stated, 'you are married to a white woman aren't you'?
From antiquity, to slavery, to integration and to the possibility of America electing its second black President, this time a mixed half and half brother (I suppose you have to do this thing in stages), we have entered into a new era in the United States of America, despite the ' re-emergence of noose sightings in the south'. By the way, the black community, in my opinion, mis-reacted! If only we could come together as such to address real problems (even the ones within our own neighborhoods), as opposed to wasting too much energy reacting to superficial ones!
VIII. The Country has Undergone a Change:
The majority of whites have changed, and now it appears that it will be up to blacks to change from their pent-up up feelings of racial self-consciousness, and cultural anomie. I debated a couple of local professors, both black women, just over a decade ago. I had just began dating one of them, when during an intimate dinner for three party that was held at my soon-to-be girlfriend's house, we engaged in spirited dinner conversation.
These two beautiful and professional black women tried to convince me that no one wanted them, or their other beautiful and well-educated cohorts. All of the 'sistahs' in their cohort group were succesful MBAs and PH.Ded Bay area professionals. From time to time they would go away and have 'sistah meetings' at places like Mt. Talmapais - where they would camp out and have 'waiting to exhale girl talks'. We all know what they were likely talking about, trifling black males who possess the spirit of the dawg?
The other times, when this group of accomplished females were not teaching or tending to their other business affairs, they would go together to beauty and health spas, where they 'would float' in whirlpools (just kidding), have beauty treatments, get 'cucumber wraps', facials treatments or have the skin on their faces exfoliated. Even though all of these women that I was hearing about, and the two that I was with, apparently had it together, I couldn't resist interrupting. I asked my new sweety, and how many of you have a man? She laughed out loud and replied, well none of us actually!
She asked, wanting to get a man's perspective why I felt that prior to our meeting that neither she nor any of her attractive and accomplished friends had a man? I proferred, well perhaps everything that you folks have been doing, was done in order to satisfy the standards that have been set by other women. Oftentimes, both sexes are guilty of this and decide among themselves, what the other 'should want'!
And what is so interesting about that, neither side has sat down to simply talk with the other side to find out what they were looking for, particularly the 'individuals' on the other side. I also told her that for sure she had noticed in the past that most of the times the work that she put into being what she thought that the other side wanted, that they didn't even notice. She agreed!
Men can relate to this, how often does a woman come home or to you from the beauty shop 'or floating', and she wants you to notice that she has had a facial, a manicure, a pedicure, a manicure or that she got her ends clipped? We always say the wrong things like, yea you look good baby and how much did that cost? Does a man want a woman to be beautiful, of course he does? However, when it gets down to the intricate details of whether or not your skin has been exfoliated, or your ends have been cut, oftentimes we don't know anything about that.
I will admit that half the time I cannot tell whether or not a woman is sporting her real hair or whether or not she is donning a wig. One woman that I dated before, I did not recognize at first on our second date. The first time we got together she donned long silver-glazed locks, the next time that I saw her she had short black hair. I wondered, is this the same woman? She was an Ebony fashion fair cosmetologist, and she also did makeup work for television news anchors in Los Angeles, prior to moving up north. She could really do some very exotic things to herself!
Well, back to the 'Professor Sistahs' (let's call them) hee hee. I spent the evening trying to convince them that they 'had issues' because men of all races desired black women, especially attractive and accomplished women.
So to prove their point that they were right and I was wrong and that men simply did not want 'black women', they told me about a recent experience that they both shared. One week before my new sweety and I met, there was a party held that a lot of the progressive brothers and sistahs from the Bay area attended. The' Professor Sistah's', PhD and all told me that not one of the men crossed the invisible plane to speak with or attempt to dance with them. Then they asked Mr. Smarty pants, and how do you explain that? I asked, did you walk across the invisible plane and attempt to speak or dance with them?
As they looked at each other, I proceeded to dig in and eat some of the home-baked and still in a transparent glass baking dish home-cooked banana pudding that I brought to the dinner party. I agreed to bring dessert for the evening. By the way, everyone loved the pudding. It was a hit, albeit the dish that it was served in was out of place given the elegant table-setting and flambe'd main course entree and meal that was prepared and served by my (model-gorgeous, snooty, Lexus driving, proper speaking, home-owning, cucumbered-exfoliated-facial-faced, FINE, professorial, on the way to becoming my girlfriend and at the same time soon to be history girlfriend, was out of place on that table! Country me?
How long did this black on black relationship last? Ah we lasted for several weeks and we had a lot of fun, however, she was too snooty for the Rev, fine but snooty. And besides that she kept calling me Cornelius (my real name by the way) in this real high register with the emphasis on 'Corn'. She also kept asking me, Corn - elius, about my financial worthiness. I ignored her pedant requests over the first two weeks while we talked and dated. However, during week three she announced that she was tired of being 'filabustered'.
Filabustered? When is the last time that you've been in a disagreement with your woman and she invoked the term, 'filabuster'? That ain't bein' black! Black women talk about 'yo mama', or something similar to that.
I told her that I was not filabustering her, and that my financial worthiness was none of her business - she had not known me long enough to be prying into my personal affairs, I told her. Snooty and PUSHY! Hit the road toad, I said, or something to that effect. She didn't like that! Perhaps that might have explained more than any other thing - why men as she put it, did not want her or her PhD. accomplice.
Having said all of that, she really was a kool human being! The truth is that we were moving in two different circles. She loved attending white-collared, snooty and stuffed-shirt affairs. I told her that I was used to doing the same, however, only on and as needed basis. She on the other hand, loved it! Black love? Folks, we still have some issues to work through within our own community!
Shortly after, I met and dated an Ebony model. I didn't believe her when she told me over the phone that she was in Ebony magazine, however, when I went to the library and got a copy of the magazine - there she was in Ebony magazine. And by the way, did I say that she was actress Diahann Carol fine? We didn't last a week. After a few elegant outings in wine country, and in upscale and luxurious BlackHawk California - we began to fight about east coast, west coast values. She didn't have any. Just kidding, but let me tell you why I said that!
She explained that west coast people needed to get in the real world, that we were too altruistic, and that money was all that mattered. She claimed that she learned that money was all that mattered from the Jews that she lived with while residing in Manhattan, just prior to her having relocated back to the west coast herself.
I told my FINE nubian Diahann Carol actress look alike and superficial 'sistah' that she was snooty, and was always giving people her resume, and that there was more to life than money. I also explained that Californians, frankly, were more socially conscience, and that we wanted to make the world a better place! She replied, well no man has ever talked to me that way before. I said, well one should have! End of that relationship, however, did I say that she was Fine?
Frankly, too many women today have done what author and speaker Lyanla Van Zandt talked about several years ago. Lyanla said that black women, she was speaking to a black audience, placed too much emphasis on looking good on the outside - instead of on what was on the inside! Okay, why am I telling you all of this? Folks, opportunties abound given the work that has been done over the past 40 years to improve race relations in this country.
Certainly, there are some hold-outs, however, the majority of us are getting along fine, and as a result we all can be more selective, and choose those that we are compatible with by factors other than race, and whether she is FINE!!!
Today, all of us have the freedom to find the one that we feel that we are compatible with, regardless of one's race or without worrying about being 'hanged' if we show up in public with them. With respect to the 3 professional women that I just discussed and there were others, I suspect that all 3 of them would be happier dating white men. They truly were acculturated more for them, and would be more comfortable thriving within a white cultural paradigm.
And there is nothing wrong with that! Filabuster? I read a report recently where white men who attempted to date white women overseas (in England no less), found that they were more culturally compatible with black women here in America! And what about the Rev? He will be happier for the time being simply staying home and watching, peacably, football games on a 'truly black' television screen!
Conclusion:
Seriously, this is what we fought for, so that blacks, Jews, whites and every other race would be free to mix and intermingle with each other, and so that each of us could have equal to public accomodations, as well as to the opportunity structures of this nation. And this is what Dr. King died for as well as James Chaney, a 21-year-old black man from Meridian, Mississippi; Andrew Goodman, a 20-year-old Jewish anthropology student from New York; and Michael Schwerner fought and died for in Mississippi.
And as a result of what they died for, and what we fought for, your child might be bringing home a Filipino, Caucasion, Pacific Islander or someone of another race to meet you someday - someone that they love that happens to be of another race. You had better get used to it, and get used to knowing that your grandchildren are going to be of obvious mixed heritage, because your sons and daughters no longer view color as a barrier to love!
Oh and by the way, you might even be asked out by someone of another race yourself at the multi-cultural church that you attend, or at work or in the community where you live. However, if you think about it none of us are of a pure pedigree; there is likely some Native American, Irish, Asiatic of Teutonic blood in you already, no matter how you may deny it!
In Christ the scriptures teach us that there is neither Jew, Greek, bond or free. Get ready, for a new history is being written today - and more and more our young people are telling us, we don't carry the racial baggage that you folks have carried. And how come they don't, because we fought hard to they wouldn't have to!
Hopefully, in a few more decades if not sooner, people will look back at turbulent racial history as a period in human history, when all of us, some more than others, had to learn to live together. And when that time comes in the future some will have learned to love each other regardless of race, ethnicity or color. At least I hope so! For the time being history has been and still is being rewritten in this nation of ours!
Peace & Grace
Rev. C. Solomon
Great Books: Volumes I and II
Democracy In America by
Alexis deTocqueville,
Black and Single
Dr. Larry E. Davis
White Racism
Joe R. Faegin
Addenda: Next challenge will be the total diversification of this nation. In less than two decades it is projected that the white race will be the minority
race in American. The aggregate number of today's minorities will
surpass the total number of caucasian American.s
Today, latinos and Hispanic numbers have
surpassed the number of blacks that are in
this country. And the disparity is
even larger, if you add the
total number of latinos
who are in this country
legally, with those
who are illegal.
Then their numbers will far outstrip the population of blacks in this country. The animus that has grown in some regions between the two cultures have been pronounced and noticable even during the current 'primary elections'.
It should not be that way. However, having said that, the
Spanish cultures were here, especially in the West,
long before whites and blacks apparently
showed up. And blacks and
latinos shared and
incorporated major
portions of California!
The largest state in the nation, California, is apparently named after an
Amazonian woman (gorgeous woman apparently), one so intriguing that
the Spanish explorers, named a region of the world after
'Califa'. And aparently the name stuck because
soon the whole state carried her name.!
And most cities, highways, valleys and
missions have Spanish names!
And who helped found the San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles and Beverly Hills.
The name recorded in the incorporation papers in this region
were spanish, however, the people were spanish blacks!
So, can't we all just get along and get pass
this period of homogenization. Some
don't want it to happen, fearing
that America will become
like Brasil, where
slaveowners
openly mixed with slave women to
produce a mongrel race! Mongrel
or not, those are some good
looking - Okay, better
stop!
We can look back now and wonder, how we 'got' over - in
consideration of the changes that have been made?
Quotation:
If we keep doing what we have been doing
We will keep getting
What we have been getting!
Author: Said Derrick Bell of Faces At the Bottom of the Well
Tonight I had the pleasure of hearing
Professor Angela Davis speak in an
intimate setting at Mills College in Oakland California,
and she nailed it - more on her talk in the future!
__________________________________________________
Introduction:
A decade or so ago, I was in a conversation with one of my closest Filipino friends. Lourdes, her husband and I became friends at Stanford University. I enjoyed sharing their beautiful Time Share accommodations one winter, at the foot of Heavenly Valley in Lake Tahoe some years ago. Lourdes, it turned out had been a victim of prolonged and systematic racial and sexual discrimination at Stanford, well, until the Rev came along and helped to bring her trial by fire to a close!
I. What Happened To Lourdes?"
One day, I noticed Lourdes cowering following some uninterpretable words that were directed at her in the Pilipino language by a Stanford staff member. I went to her and inquired, what did he say to you?
Lourdes and her extended family were recent newcomers to the U.S.A., she did not understand that she did not have to put with the sexual and racial harassment that she endured from this white Stanford faculty member. Lourdes was so new to the U.S.A., I was told that when she met her new manager at Stanford she actually bowed in front of her when they met!
We didn't know each other that well at the time that I witnessed the incident, and she would only tell me that what her co-worker was saying very nasty things to her. The next time I heard him, I jotted down the words that he spoke, took them to a translator - and was stunned to learn the meaning of the salacious words that he constantly tortured this woman with on a regular basis.
I went to the staffmember, and subsequently to his boss - given his negative reaction when I confronted him. To my surprise, his female boss defended him. And no wonder, she subsequently expressed her upset over being forced to attend 'multi-cultural and sensitivity training classes at the University'. She felt that the one's who were guilty of any infractions should be made to attend those classes, not her!
Given my newly acquired status at the University, I discussed the problem with my colleagues and believe me something was done. It took a while, and in the end there were financial payouts and the perpetrator was eventually suspended. He didn't like me, but like most bullies - he was nothing but a coward (I grew up with one of those so I was completely unfazed by his antipathy).
II. American Institutions Run Rampant With Racial Discord:
There were many infractions of this kind on the campus. In speaking with the VP of Human Resources, a friend and colleague - he said, at Stanford we advocate multi-culturalism, however, we really don't know how to manage it.
We were also having problems within our classes, a student actually called a black professor a nigger during class. Other white students began openly taunting minority students as well as black staff during class, proclaiming that the only reason that they were there in the first place was because of 'Affirmative Action'.
The University, like many other colleges and universities that were experiencing similar problems (no hanging nooses at the time), didn't know what to do at first. Some of our bold white students insisted that they had a First Amendment 'free speech right' protected by the constitution, that protected their right to say whatever they wanted; even the right to call a professor 'nigger' while class was in session.
Clearly the past few centuries in America and the multi-cultural experiment that ensued, which was responsible for bringing disparate and disparaged cultures together, had not run as smoothly as one would have hoped. And given this nation's creeds, one would certainly have expected that if any nation in this world would have done a better job of dealing with multi-culturalism, the United States would have been the one to do so.
What were individuals of disparate races actually saying to other races and diverse people? In short they were saying: You are not going to make me love you!
Even when Alexis de Tocqueville and his comrade visited the United States in the 19th Century in order to write about America's successful democracy, and democratization across the land, he did not shield the unfavorable facts. In spite of his otherwise glowing assessment of the American experiment, he wrote about the economic disparities and social stratification that persisted in this land, in deference to all of its noble creeds.
And how far have we come? Believe it or not, things have gotten better - so much so that some Americans who fought for a multi-cultural society, and for freedom for all people regardless of one's racial ethnicity are beginning to balk at it. Wouldn't it be something if we discover one day that God chose America to conduct this racial experiment on, hoping that its outcomes would be beneficial for and to all other nations of the earth?
III. Why Are You Bringing That White Girl To My House:
A former black girlfriend's son reached dating age a few years ago. His mom became very disheartened because her son preferred white girls over black ones. He was receiving notes, gifts, phone calls and all from white girls. His mom discussed her feelings with me. I said, well isn't this what we fought for during the turbulent 60's and 70's, the right to choose?
And I asked her, isn't this what Dr. King envisioned, a day when little black boys and little white girls would walk hand in hand...? Many of us did not realize what we were saying, neither did we take the words of Dr. King's speech literally. It was as if we wanted the freedom, however, we did not expect anyone to take it this far, especially when they wanted to bring individuals of other races right into black domiciles.
Dr. King, we now know dated a white woman during his college years. And frankly, many of our black civil rights leaders have from time to time been involved with women of other races - if not married to them. A group of us at Stanford rolled with laughter when we were told about one of of our 'down with the cause - power to the people right on - afro pick - Mandingo warrior - Afro-Centric organization leading brothers', who was previously exposed! How?
First of all this brother was black through and through, he looked, walked, talked and exuded blackness. This brother was so black that when he got into a car, the oil light would come on. He lived in Ujamaa, Stanford's black theme dorm. The problem was that over the weekends, he was always missing in action according to his dorm mates. Different students began to wonder about his weekly disappearing act, well that is until...!
One day, one of the students happened to be visiting nearby South San Francisco, a city roughly 30 miles from the campus. And who did they stumble across that was all hugged up with his white girlfriend, their 'down - black is beautiful - power to the people right on - afro picking - Nubian black leadership - Mandingo Warrior- brother! Given his strident viewpoints with regard to Afro-centrism, he did not want anyone to know that he had crossed over to the other side! No one had to make this brother love white women!
IV. Shocked Black Parents Will Have To Reconsider Their Own Racial Attitudes:
Many parents today will have to deal with their personal racial animus. The days of saying that it is the whites who do not want the blacks around, are being replaced by many black parents who are saying to their youngsters: Why are you bringing that white girl or boy up in my house?
In News Orleans where the paper bag test used to be prominent, some kids were shown paper bags and told two stories, if they aren't lighter than this paper - or, on the other hand if they are lighter than this paper bag, do not bring them home. And how about that other saying in the black community, 'if they can't use your comb don't bring her home'!
Okay, over the years there have been some exceptions. However, when most blacks witnessed multi-cultural couples in their neighborhoods or at sporting venues (O.J. and German girlfriend and late wife Nicole Simpson come to mind) a couple of decades ago, it was still somewhat of an anomaly back then. The Rev was was once dressed down by a couple of his college classmates.
I was the president of the Student-Faculty League of Social Workers at one of my college Alma Maters, I had been elected to office by both blacks and whites. One day, a white classmate invited me to go and to watch Prince's new movie at that time, "Purple Rain". The movie was showing in an on-campus theater. I said, sure why not? And we proceeded to walk a couple of buildings over, where we entered the campus theater and proceeded to watch the film together.
Ah, but a day or two later two of my black female campus classmates attacked me in the hallway. Their question went something like this, what is it when you brothers 'get up there' (I was President remember of the league, and they likely voted me in) that you have to run off and get a white girl? Eek, and 'shiver me timbers'!!!
Folks, I was stunned and about to catch a beat-down from the looks of things. Neither of these women had ever asked me out. And frankly, I hadn't considered going to watch a film with one of my student classmates, an infraction - after all I was her president as well as their president. I didn't tell them this, however, there was nothing between Becky and I. She never said anything out of place to me, and she did help me to get elected by campaigning and by petitioning the overwhelming majority white social work department to vote for me.
VI. What's Missing?
I know of many other black parents who are struggling, given that their kids are coming home with beaus and girlfriends from every color of the rainbow, as well as from various ethnic groups. Can't we all just get along? Not yet apparently!
A professor who later became a friend of mine, that relocated to our state approximately two decades ago, asked me to tell him where he could find a home, in an upper middle-class neighborhood where there were blacks. This dark hued and bald professor, was concerned that his black on the outside kids, were more white on the inside. Prior to relocating from New York, he had always resided in white communities. The professor wanted to turn his girls black inside, by exposing them to the black culture.
During my talks with Lourdes - who offered to introduce me to a few of her female friends and relatives, just as another friend (last name Chou) offered to fix me up with a relative of her's from Taiwan - we discussed our common heritage. The Filipino people are aware that they are descended from 'the Negritas'. Negritas' were direct descendants of Africans who mixed with islanders to produce the Filipino people.
With our new found ability to trace one's roots today, by using Mitochondrial DNA, it has been confirmed in an anecdotal sense anyway, that many of us share a common heritage. In other words, we are all related and or at least mixed with other races. I learned recently that my late maternal grandmother is part German. And that means that I have some of Hitler's blood in me!
In fact Hitler was related to the Salomons. He might be a relative of mine, or at least a relative of one of my family's Jewish slaveowners!
My God, I have always blasted the Germans for their racist attitudes and for their claims of Aryan purity and superiority, as well as their mistreatment of the Jewish people. And to find out that I had a little German in my blood, man, this was the thing that not only was Hitler trying to avoid, I was trying to avoid it too. Cousin Hitler and I might have been homey's, had we lived at the same time!
Hitler wanted to rid the world of the 'schwarze' and the Jews, the latter by extermination, so that the pure Aryan race would be free from the Jews that were so powerful in eastern Europe, and as he once noted in America.
It must have stunned him, if all accounts were true, to know that he had the blood of Jews running through his veins. I have always been equally as proud of my purely black (Jesse Owens like) pedigree. Man, all of us are mixed!
Astronaut Mae Jemison, one of our many infamous Stanford Alumni always appeared to have a tint of Chinese in her as far as I was concerned. I would study her closely on her return visits to the campus. Don't get me wrong, she was a FINE looking woman, may I add; but she wasn't fully black I thought. Did I say that she was fine! Sorry, I am a Rev but the Rev has good eyes, and he appreciates the 'finer things in life' er herm! Okay, I admit it I look at some women and say "LAWD have mercy! But I don't act on it folks!
Recently, with the help of Professor Louis Gates from Harvard and Yale, Dr. Jemison learned that she was part Asian, just as I had always suspected!
So what are we going to do now that it is being confirmed that many of us are mixed with Irish blood, or Indian blood or God forbid..., I won't say it? Similar to the Brasilians, we are a mongrel country. Reverend Al Sharpton must have..., well, let's not talk about that either. Years ago I met a white woman who wanted to date the Rev, she accused the reverend of being a reverse racist , when I declined her invitation to date.
Now folks, maybe somewhere deep down inside I did or did not want to date her given that she was white, however, my real reason for not wanting to date her was because the Rev was simply not attracted to her.
I asked another white woman who wanted to date the Rev, why do you want to exclusively date black men? She answered me this way, she said, 'some people like pork chops'! It took me a week to figure out what she was talking about, pork chops? Hey, I'm slow! She was saying that some people like pork chops and some like beef shanks, and that some people like white meat and others black men! By the time I figured it out, she was long gone anyway, besides, I felt that her reason for wanting to date black men was mostly shallow even if I didn't know what she meant by that pork chop comment.
VII. Dr. King's Vision Has Become A Reality:
So what are we going to do now that the King vision, along with its unexpected consequences has become a reality in our lives today? We could return to the 50's, and admit that the white segregationists were correct! But before we do that let me tell you a few more short stories.
I was speaking with a white woman on the phone some years ago. We were engaged in a business discussion, when she drifted off and began sharing her feelings about her daughter and her mixed granddaughter. Now get this, she did not know that the Rev was a black man, and she went on to tell me how her daughter had a child by 'one of them'; that is what she actually said. Her daughter even married him, she went on to say.
Never pausing to consider how I might react regardless of my race, she explained that she treated the child nicely, because it wasn't the child's fault or something to that effect. Poor woman I thought as I hung up later without telling her that she was talking to a black man. She was obviously very comfortable with me over the phone, and we agreed to do business together before I hung up. It was a good thing that we did our work over the phone!
And on yet another occasion, when the Rev attempted to reach a white gentleman to conduct business with around the same time, his wife reacted differently when she answered the phone. I had phoned this gentleman's house a couple of times before, and each time she would answer the phone. Her husband asked, in the background, who is that on the phone? His wife responded so that I could hear her, "its that damn nigger again'. Ouch!!
When I was young, about 17 to be exact, I started searching for my first apartment. I had already been turned down at one place, despite the fact that I qualified, had a great job and could easily pay the rent. Why? Because the whites didn't want a black in the building, that is what the apologetic and apoplectic owner of the building told me.
While continuing my search for my first apartment, another white woman who was pleased at first speaking with me over the phone, apparently, detected that I was black. All of the sudden she cut the conversation short, saying as she hung up - "I don't rent to niggers", . Tears tears!!
Today, there has been a positive shift in race relations in this country to a certain degree. Instead of, I don't want you here, now it is - how do I get you over here? And the interesting thing is, I don't want to be there, I am happy being right where I am, black and single! Is the Rev a reverse racist? I like to think of myself more like what Theologian Dr. C. Eric Lincoln from New York described as 'conscious of kind'; something that is apparently innate!
All of us discriminate with respect to what we eat, drink, wear..., and who we date. All of us are more comfortable with people with whom we feel that we have something in common!
I frequently encounter women from various cultures and different ethnic backgrounds, who are absolutely gorgeous. And even though technically, I have never dated outside of my own race - some might not agree, I don't see anything wrong with dating or marrying whoever you want to marry. Simply make sure that God approves of it, and that you don't see the person as a 'pork chop', er herm!
Now because the Rev tended to be somewhat erudite, doctrinaire, articulate, successful and perhaps snooty back in the day some have told me, I suspect that is why a black woman menacingly asked me or stated, 'you are married to a white woman aren't you'?
From antiquity, to slavery, to integration and to the possibility of America electing its second black President, this time a mixed half and half brother (I suppose you have to do this thing in stages), we have entered into a new era in the United States of America, despite the ' re-emergence of noose sightings in the south'. By the way, the black community, in my opinion, mis-reacted! If only we could come together as such to address real problems (even the ones within our own neighborhoods), as opposed to wasting too much energy reacting to superficial ones!
VIII. The Country has Undergone a Change:
The majority of whites have changed, and now it appears that it will be up to blacks to change from their pent-up up feelings of racial self-consciousness, and cultural anomie. I debated a couple of local professors, both black women, just over a decade ago. I had just began dating one of them, when during an intimate dinner for three party that was held at my soon-to-be girlfriend's house, we engaged in spirited dinner conversation.
These two beautiful and professional black women tried to convince me that no one wanted them, or their other beautiful and well-educated cohorts. All of the 'sistahs' in their cohort group were succesful MBAs and PH.Ded Bay area professionals. From time to time they would go away and have 'sistah meetings' at places like Mt. Talmapais - where they would camp out and have 'waiting to exhale girl talks'. We all know what they were likely talking about, trifling black males who possess the spirit of the dawg?
The other times, when this group of accomplished females were not teaching or tending to their other business affairs, they would go together to beauty and health spas, where they 'would float' in whirlpools (just kidding), have beauty treatments, get 'cucumber wraps', facials treatments or have the skin on their faces exfoliated. Even though all of these women that I was hearing about, and the two that I was with, apparently had it together, I couldn't resist interrupting. I asked my new sweety, and how many of you have a man? She laughed out loud and replied, well none of us actually!
She asked, wanting to get a man's perspective why I felt that prior to our meeting that neither she nor any of her attractive and accomplished friends had a man? I proferred, well perhaps everything that you folks have been doing, was done in order to satisfy the standards that have been set by other women. Oftentimes, both sexes are guilty of this and decide among themselves, what the other 'should want'!
And what is so interesting about that, neither side has sat down to simply talk with the other side to find out what they were looking for, particularly the 'individuals' on the other side. I also told her that for sure she had noticed in the past that most of the times the work that she put into being what she thought that the other side wanted, that they didn't even notice. She agreed!
Men can relate to this, how often does a woman come home or to you from the beauty shop 'or floating', and she wants you to notice that she has had a facial, a manicure, a pedicure, a manicure or that she got her ends clipped? We always say the wrong things like, yea you look good baby and how much did that cost? Does a man want a woman to be beautiful, of course he does? However, when it gets down to the intricate details of whether or not your skin has been exfoliated, or your ends have been cut, oftentimes we don't know anything about that.
I will admit that half the time I cannot tell whether or not a woman is sporting her real hair or whether or not she is donning a wig. One woman that I dated before, I did not recognize at first on our second date. The first time we got together she donned long silver-glazed locks, the next time that I saw her she had short black hair. I wondered, is this the same woman? She was an Ebony fashion fair cosmetologist, and she also did makeup work for television news anchors in Los Angeles, prior to moving up north. She could really do some very exotic things to herself!
Well, back to the 'Professor Sistahs' (let's call them) hee hee. I spent the evening trying to convince them that they 'had issues' because men of all races desired black women, especially attractive and accomplished women.
So to prove their point that they were right and I was wrong and that men simply did not want 'black women', they told me about a recent experience that they both shared. One week before my new sweety and I met, there was a party held that a lot of the progressive brothers and sistahs from the Bay area attended. The' Professor Sistah's', PhD and all told me that not one of the men crossed the invisible plane to speak with or attempt to dance with them. Then they asked Mr. Smarty pants, and how do you explain that? I asked, did you walk across the invisible plane and attempt to speak or dance with them?
As they looked at each other, I proceeded to dig in and eat some of the home-baked and still in a transparent glass baking dish home-cooked banana pudding that I brought to the dinner party. I agreed to bring dessert for the evening. By the way, everyone loved the pudding. It was a hit, albeit the dish that it was served in was out of place given the elegant table-setting and flambe'd main course entree and meal that was prepared and served by my (model-gorgeous, snooty, Lexus driving, proper speaking, home-owning, cucumbered-exfoliated-facial-faced, FINE, professorial, on the way to becoming my girlfriend and at the same time soon to be history girlfriend, was out of place on that table! Country me?
How long did this black on black relationship last? Ah we lasted for several weeks and we had a lot of fun, however, she was too snooty for the Rev, fine but snooty. And besides that she kept calling me Cornelius (my real name by the way) in this real high register with the emphasis on 'Corn'. She also kept asking me, Corn - elius, about my financial worthiness. I ignored her pedant requests over the first two weeks while we talked and dated. However, during week three she announced that she was tired of being 'filabustered'.
Filabustered? When is the last time that you've been in a disagreement with your woman and she invoked the term, 'filabuster'? That ain't bein' black! Black women talk about 'yo mama', or something similar to that.
I told her that I was not filabustering her, and that my financial worthiness was none of her business - she had not known me long enough to be prying into my personal affairs, I told her. Snooty and PUSHY! Hit the road toad, I said, or something to that effect. She didn't like that! Perhaps that might have explained more than any other thing - why men as she put it, did not want her or her PhD. accomplice.
Having said all of that, she really was a kool human being! The truth is that we were moving in two different circles. She loved attending white-collared, snooty and stuffed-shirt affairs. I told her that I was used to doing the same, however, only on and as needed basis. She on the other hand, loved it! Black love? Folks, we still have some issues to work through within our own community!
Shortly after, I met and dated an Ebony model. I didn't believe her when she told me over the phone that she was in Ebony magazine, however, when I went to the library and got a copy of the magazine - there she was in Ebony magazine. And by the way, did I say that she was actress Diahann Carol fine? We didn't last a week. After a few elegant outings in wine country, and in upscale and luxurious BlackHawk California - we began to fight about east coast, west coast values. She didn't have any. Just kidding, but let me tell you why I said that!
She explained that west coast people needed to get in the real world, that we were too altruistic, and that money was all that mattered. She claimed that she learned that money was all that mattered from the Jews that she lived with while residing in Manhattan, just prior to her having relocated back to the west coast herself.
I told my FINE nubian Diahann Carol actress look alike and superficial 'sistah' that she was snooty, and was always giving people her resume, and that there was more to life than money. I also explained that Californians, frankly, were more socially conscience, and that we wanted to make the world a better place! She replied, well no man has ever talked to me that way before. I said, well one should have! End of that relationship, however, did I say that she was Fine?
Frankly, too many women today have done what author and speaker Lyanla Van Zandt talked about several years ago. Lyanla said that black women, she was speaking to a black audience, placed too much emphasis on looking good on the outside - instead of on what was on the inside! Okay, why am I telling you all of this? Folks, opportunties abound given the work that has been done over the past 40 years to improve race relations in this country.
Certainly, there are some hold-outs, however, the majority of us are getting along fine, and as a result we all can be more selective, and choose those that we are compatible with by factors other than race, and whether she is FINE!!!
Today, all of us have the freedom to find the one that we feel that we are compatible with, regardless of one's race or without worrying about being 'hanged' if we show up in public with them. With respect to the 3 professional women that I just discussed and there were others, I suspect that all 3 of them would be happier dating white men. They truly were acculturated more for them, and would be more comfortable thriving within a white cultural paradigm.
And there is nothing wrong with that! Filabuster? I read a report recently where white men who attempted to date white women overseas (in England no less), found that they were more culturally compatible with black women here in America! And what about the Rev? He will be happier for the time being simply staying home and watching, peacably, football games on a 'truly black' television screen!
Conclusion:
Seriously, this is what we fought for, so that blacks, Jews, whites and every other race would be free to mix and intermingle with each other, and so that each of us could have equal to public accomodations, as well as to the opportunity structures of this nation. And this is what Dr. King died for as well as James Chaney, a 21-year-old black man from Meridian, Mississippi; Andrew Goodman, a 20-year-old Jewish anthropology student from New York; and Michael Schwerner fought and died for in Mississippi.
And as a result of what they died for, and what we fought for, your child might be bringing home a Filipino, Caucasion, Pacific Islander or someone of another race to meet you someday - someone that they love that happens to be of another race. You had better get used to it, and get used to knowing that your grandchildren are going to be of obvious mixed heritage, because your sons and daughters no longer view color as a barrier to love!
Oh and by the way, you might even be asked out by someone of another race yourself at the multi-cultural church that you attend, or at work or in the community where you live. However, if you think about it none of us are of a pure pedigree; there is likely some Native American, Irish, Asiatic of Teutonic blood in you already, no matter how you may deny it!
In Christ the scriptures teach us that there is neither Jew, Greek, bond or free. Get ready, for a new history is being written today - and more and more our young people are telling us, we don't carry the racial baggage that you folks have carried. And how come they don't, because we fought hard to they wouldn't have to!
Hopefully, in a few more decades if not sooner, people will look back at turbulent racial history as a period in human history, when all of us, some more than others, had to learn to live together. And when that time comes in the future some will have learned to love each other regardless of race, ethnicity or color. At least I hope so! For the time being history has been and still is being rewritten in this nation of ours!
Peace & Grace
Rev. C. Solomon
Great Books: Volumes I and II
Democracy In America by
Alexis deTocqueville,
Black and Single
Dr. Larry E. Davis
White Racism
Joe R. Faegin
Addenda: Next challenge will be the total diversification of this nation. In less than two decades it is projected that the white race will be the minority
race in American. The aggregate number of today's minorities will
surpass the total number of caucasian American.s
Today, latinos and Hispanic numbers have
surpassed the number of blacks that are in
this country. And the disparity is
even larger, if you add the
total number of latinos
who are in this country
legally, with those
who are illegal.
Then their numbers will far outstrip the population of blacks in this country. The animus that has grown in some regions between the two cultures have been pronounced and noticable even during the current 'primary elections'.
It should not be that way. However, having said that, the
Spanish cultures were here, especially in the West,
long before whites and blacks apparently
showed up. And blacks and
latinos shared and
incorporated major
portions of California!
The largest state in the nation, California, is apparently named after an
Amazonian woman (gorgeous woman apparently), one so intriguing that
the Spanish explorers, named a region of the world after
'Califa'. And aparently the name stuck because
soon the whole state carried her name.!
And most cities, highways, valleys and
missions have Spanish names!
And who helped found the San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles and Beverly Hills.
The name recorded in the incorporation papers in this region
were spanish, however, the people were spanish blacks!
So, can't we all just get along and get pass
this period of homogenization. Some
don't want it to happen, fearing
that America will become
like Brasil, where
slaveowners
openly mixed with slave women to
produce a mongrel race! Mongrel
or not, those are some good
looking - Okay, better
stop!
The Rev Responds to Plainfacto: Washington Post Blog 2/11/08
plainfacto
I believe that incendiary Senator McCain is likely to steer up the hornet's nest more than any other of the presidential candidates.
He was rebuffed at 'CrossFire' Georgetown University by the student body recently, when he asked for a showing of support for his hawkish views, by having the students stand up who supported his hawkish views!
Like Bush, he walks around with a chip on his shoulder just waiting for someone
to knock it off. The 21st century calls for bold and new visionary leadership. We got off on the wrong foot in this century with 20th Century retro-throwback leadership!
Bush, Cheney, Libby, Wolfowitz, Snowe, Zel, Delay, Trent, Perle, Hastert, Lieberman, Condi, Bill Kristol and a whole lot of the other fossils need to be permanently retired to their rocking chairs and chloroform!
These men are not suited to lead or to influence policy in a technologically advanced era! Their attitudes andpolicy positions will only encourage future wars!
These folks hate multi-culturalism, and the fact is that we live in a heterogenous world, where the majority of the people of the world are becoming more homogenized to their fear and disdain, even Condi! Their number one fear is that the rest of us will continue to grow closer - which will leave them, their fear tactics and need to divide, dominate and conquer, out in the cold!
And yes, I recall when the American troops were pushed back by the Chineese in
Korea.
And we can avoid the approaching Apolcalypse, if Americans desist in being duped by fear-mongeromg politicans, and instead clean house and vote for level headed and erudite leadership - and turn off Hannity, Limbaugh et al!
That leader will realize that America will have to become a responsible citizen
nation in the world, and learn to
cooperate with other nations of
the world instead of behaving
like a spoiled child-nation
that insists on dominating
and havings its own
exceptional way!
Instead we must learn to live and let live. The nations that you cited are guilty of doing one thing wrong, they failed
to adhere to the will and the
mandates of the USA. The
world does not belong
to the USA.
Remember, we break laws too, we own nukes, and
we have used them
before.
However, as Bush so proudly proclaimed on many occasions, we will not be dictated
to by any other nation. The question
that remains then is, how come we
persist in dictating to other
nations?
And the end result is that we send innocent young people to die,
given our arrogance and
misguided policies
that are in place
to keep America
in power, and
to make a
minority
rich!
I can appreciate your loyalty, zeal and fidelity to our nation. However, I only wish that the millions of patriots like yourself, had
the same zeal and dedication
to correct what is wrong
with our nation, as
you have to support
our leaders desires
to straighten
out other
nations!
Posted by: The Rev | February 11, 2008 02:49 PM
Peace & Grace
Rev. C. Solomon
I believe that incendiary Senator McCain is likely to steer up the hornet's nest more than any other of the presidential candidates.
He was rebuffed at 'CrossFire' Georgetown University by the student body recently, when he asked for a showing of support for his hawkish views, by having the students stand up who supported his hawkish views!
Like Bush, he walks around with a chip on his shoulder just waiting for someone
to knock it off. The 21st century calls for bold and new visionary leadership. We got off on the wrong foot in this century with 20th Century retro-throwback leadership!
Bush, Cheney, Libby, Wolfowitz, Snowe, Zel, Delay, Trent, Perle, Hastert, Lieberman, Condi, Bill Kristol and a whole lot of the other fossils need to be permanently retired to their rocking chairs and chloroform!
These men are not suited to lead or to influence policy in a technologically advanced era! Their attitudes andpolicy positions will only encourage future wars!
These folks hate multi-culturalism, and the fact is that we live in a heterogenous world, where the majority of the people of the world are becoming more homogenized to their fear and disdain, even Condi! Their number one fear is that the rest of us will continue to grow closer - which will leave them, their fear tactics and need to divide, dominate and conquer, out in the cold!
And yes, I recall when the American troops were pushed back by the Chineese in
Korea.
And we can avoid the approaching Apolcalypse, if Americans desist in being duped by fear-mongeromg politicans, and instead clean house and vote for level headed and erudite leadership - and turn off Hannity, Limbaugh et al!
That leader will realize that America will have to become a responsible citizen
nation in the world, and learn to
cooperate with other nations of
the world instead of behaving
like a spoiled child-nation
that insists on dominating
and havings its own
exceptional way!
Instead we must learn to live and let live. The nations that you cited are guilty of doing one thing wrong, they failed
to adhere to the will and the
mandates of the USA. The
world does not belong
to the USA.
Remember, we break laws too, we own nukes, and
we have used them
before.
However, as Bush so proudly proclaimed on many occasions, we will not be dictated
to by any other nation. The question
that remains then is, how come we
persist in dictating to other
nations?
And the end result is that we send innocent young people to die,
given our arrogance and
misguided policies
that are in place
to keep America
in power, and
to make a
minority
rich!
I can appreciate your loyalty, zeal and fidelity to our nation. However, I only wish that the millions of patriots like yourself, had
the same zeal and dedication
to correct what is wrong
with our nation, as
you have to support
our leaders desires
to straighten
out other
nations!
Posted by: The Rev | February 11, 2008 02:49 PM
Peace & Grace
Rev. C. Solomon
Feb 10, 2008
Is Your Pastor Serving You or Are You Serving Your Pastor? Who Is Doing The Serving?
A word fitly spoken is like
apples of gold in pictures of silver. {Prov 25:11}
Some cannot wait to be a pastor!
Is there any wonder why?
For the same spirit of greed that is
destroying our nation, is also
destroying our churches!
-----------------------------------------
I was so impressed with the self-deprecating pastor and the word that I heard spoken, earlier today:
My compliments to pastor Larry A Vold, the Senior Pastor of this wonderful church that I visited today in Castro Valley California, The Neighborhood Church/The Church of the Three Crosses. Dr. Vold asked his congregation a rhetorical question during one point in his sermon. He asked, how many viewed their pastor as a servant?
He admitted that oftentimes he and other pastors and ministers universally, had forgotten the role that they were chosen to fill. Some he said have become demanding, proud and unforgiving. The pastor even confessed himself and to God his personal failures, for oftentimes he recognized that occasionally he fell into the same trap. He even acknowledged that unlike the many parishioners in his church, 20% who did the majority of the work at this mega church, that for all of the work he was doing, he [and the paid staff] was being compensated by the people!
He went on to admit that he had entered into self-inquiry, asking himself - where is the service in that? He included an accompanying text in today's message, the subject of the sermon was 'Serving', that was taken from Mark the 10th chapter, beginning at verse 35):
The accompanying text:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
10:35 James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came near to him, saying, "Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we will ask." [compare]
10:36 He said to them, "What do you want me to do for you?" [compare]
10:37 They said to him, "Grant to us that we may sit, one at your right hand, and one at your left hand, in your glory." [compare]
10:38 But Jesus said to them, "You don't know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?" [compare]
10:39 They said to him, "We are able." Jesus said to them, "You shall indeed drink the cup that I drink, and you shall be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with; [compare]
10:40 but to sit at my right hand and at my left hand is not mine to give, but for whom it has been prepared." [compare]
10:41 When the ten heard it, they began to be indignant towards James and John. [compare]
10:42 Jesus summoned them, and said to them, "You know that they who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. [compare]
10:43 But it shall not be so among you, but whoever wants to become great among you shall be your servant. [compare]
10:44 Whoever of you wants to become first among you, shall be bondservant of all.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I. Many of Today's Ministers Attitudes: We want you to do for us whatever we will ask:
Given my previous posts,it should be obvious why this portion of the pastor's sermon resonated with me. My flesh felt vindicated given a confirmation of a trend that I have been observing in pulpits of late; even among minister associates of my mine!
And more importantly here was a confirmation that what I had been observing lately, was in fact true.
II. But it shall not be so among you!
And praise God, here was a minister, with a doctorate no less, who made it clear, that like two of Jesus' disciples (along with their mother)were; that many ministers and pastors today have become just as confused, selfish and opportunistic as these three had become.
The Human factor is still alive and well in too many of today's pulpits. How many of us have served under tyrannically greedy and power-hungry ministers who see the church as their personal 'cash cow' and throne of power? I have seen and served under some of this kind who were no less than bullies. No one would ever have confused them with being 'a servant' of the church, and some not even a servant of God. Why?
For many of them, it seemed that they were on an even par with God as opposed to being God's or the people's servant minister. They always sat in the 'high places', and seemingly enjoyed the adulation that was derived from God's people. On many occasions they would wade through the crowds that would stand each time that they entered upon their thrones, in their resplendent pulpit regalia or Brooks Brothers suits!
I challenge you to answer the question that this pastor posed, how do you view your pastor? Have you ever got the sense that he or she was 'a servant'? For if he or she is not serving you as Jesus taught that his servants would do, then he or she is not serving God either.
III. Examples of What I Want You To Do:
A couple of decades ago, I visited a pastor's weeklong appreciation service in the City of Oakland California. These kind of services were and still are customary in many of America's African-American churches. For a week, the pastor and his wife enjoy a side respite, where they are placed in courtly chairs, while each night of the week the incumbent church and visiting churches come and pay homage for the work that they have done at their respective parishes.
Er herm, now which week was it that Jesus and the Apostles were retired, so that the disciples could fatten them up and treat them like royalty? God didn't rest until the Sabbath, after his work was completed!
Pay, however, was the operative word! The real objective of these meetings was and is to raise as much money as possible for the pastor and his wife. The churches that were invited were expected to bring large sums of monies, and the favor would be returned when the receiving pastor and wife, brought their congregations on a return visit (to each of the churches that visited them during their Anniversary Fund-Raiser), in order to give that pastor and his wife a financial payback; 501(c)3?
Now keep in mind that these events are held on an annualized basis, and everyone keeps track, because you must raise more money for each additional Anniversary year. Their would be banners posted, and it would be frequently announced, that this is the pastor's umpteenth anniversary.
How much money was customarily raised during one of these weekly appreciation services today? A whole lot. How much is raised today in one of these charades? I couldn't tell you because I don't attend any of them anymore - during my term as pastor - I asked the church to never engage in such ostentation on my behalf!
IV. And what is wrong with a church showing a pastor appreciation for his service?
Back in the early 1970's the excessive sums of money raised during one of these weekly services, totaled, cumulatively, upwards of $20K for one week. Some services went beyond a single week, and lasted into the next week - you had to keep the money, I mean the Spirit rolling!
In addition to the exorbitant sums that were raised during that one week, some pastors during their appreciation weeks receive automobiles (Bishop T.D. Jakes a Rolls of late), suits and other accoutrement. You have driven by some of these churches with their modest memberships, yet you would be stunned to know that some of these ministers were raking in the big bucks even thirty years ago.
The Rolls, Mercedes, Cadillac or BMW sitting out front in the 'pastor's marked spot was not placed there by the Tooth Fairy. Many of these fella's were rolling in the moolah, while their members languished in poverty. So where did the members get the additional money (more on that later) to hand over to their pastors? Many would spend months ahead of time, having been told to do so in order to raise money for the pastor's appreciation no less by the pastor himself.
Sell some barbecue, chicken dinners, hold car washes, do whatever you have to do, but you had better raise me some money - because I am worthy of it, some were heard to say! I have heard pastors set a quota for each member to come up with and give during the Appreciation Service. I was also aware that some of these individuals on fixed income could simply not afford to give what they were giving, but they did it anyway!
At the church appreciation that I visited on the first night of an anniversary service in Oakland California, the pastor who was supposed to be silent during the week along with his wife, stood up to announce that he was putting the first one thousand dollar amount into his own offering.
This kickback scheme was obviously done to play upon the guilt of everyone who attend the service, and to ensure that on subsequent nights a minimum of $1K would be raised. Let's just call it raising the bar or priming the pump. Trust me, more than $1K would be raised on that and successive nights.
Now if you were to consider the average household income during the 70's, the per capita income of the average black family was less than $14K per year easily. And as a side note, today the per capita income of many families in America, some of whom attend churches where this practice is still going on, still hovers in the less than $15K per annum category!
If you don't believe me check the census! Oh and by the way, the pastor didn't really put anything into his own offering, that he would not get back by the end of Anniversary week. I recall one pastor who when I offered to carry his briefcase that was full of money, at week's end; he told me "NO", I will carry that! I wouldn't steal his money! The visiting pastor's technically did not put anything into their friend's offerings, given that they would be reimbursed once their appreciation service took place later that year, if it hadn't already taken place!
V. Show Me The Money:
In addition to the appreciation services, these pastors customarily received remuneration from their fleeced flocks, customarily tithes (often 100% of the tithes that came into the church belonged to the pastor). And, on certain Sundays, the third Sunday for example, all of the monies raised that day belonged to the pastor.
Now folks, these examples are minor in comparison to the million dollar and other 6-figure pastor-entrepreneurs that call themselves pastors today. Now don't get me wrong, for the problem doesn't stop with money being raised alone. Many of these wealthy religious icons demand to be treated as celebrities or royalty in 'their churches'. Many demand to be called Bishop, The Right Reverend, The Most Reverend, Buhtros Buhtros Gali - just kidding with the last one.
With respect to the rest, no I am not kidding, ministers that have 12 members; and as one 40-year tenured Bishop said, those who purchased their chest crosses from the local Korean store - demand to be called BISHOP!
They also demand that the people serve them instead of the other way around. Some of these Daddy Grace, Father Divine and AA Allen ministers have to be pampered and catered to, and sadly every church has members who are only too willing to put the pastor and his wife up on a pedestal and to treat them in a manner that Jesus and the Apostles refused.
If a member of the church needed something from one of these ministers like prayer for example, or a hospital or a home visit - these ministers would send one of 'their people' to do the ministering, rather than leave the golf course, or their luxury homes to attend to and pray for the sick themselves!
In fact, some members know not to call Others feel unworthy to go and call upon their rich and upper-middle class ministers, who they couldn't get through the gates in the communities where they reside anyway, if they were to attempt to come to touch the hem of their minister's garment in order to be healed. Many parishioners feel unworthy to have their 'overpaid' and overly powerful ministers to grace the doorsteps in the low to lower-middle communities where they reside.
And sadly there are those members who prop their ministers, because they are living vicariously through their ministers and their wives. They are typically the ones who are doing fairly well themselves, or the ones who have a close relationship with the pastor and his wife who allow them to come to the palace, and passes a hand-me-down to them; one that they could never afford on occasion!
VI. The Gentiles lord it over them: In Jesus' time, he spoke of the hireling minister in comparison to the serving man of God. For after all what does the word minister mean folks? Ministers are expected to serve, to put to;\, it was never intended in God's church to be any other way. In too many of today's churches, the members are serving the minister. Have you kissed your minister's ring lately?
Now this does not mean that God's ministers should be abused or on demand 24/7, for they shouldn't be abused particularly the one's who are serving as God intended, and there are many of them! Still there are those who wouldn't allow you to abuse their time anyway! You couldn't get through the secretary-gatekeeper or find them at 50,000 feet anyway (in the jet that you paid for).
Besides, you would be surprised to find out where they are were when they are unable to be located. Where? Customarily they are resting. From what? The taxing 25 minute sermon that they preached on Sunday morning! Don't taze me bro, for all of them are not so inclined - but many aren't doing anything, but enjoy the life of 'the rich, the famous and the powerful'!
Conclusion: What is my motive in writing?
You sound as if you have a lot of animus and unresolved anger Reverend Solomon. Frankly, some of these power-inducing and money-making ministries need to be shut down, so that God's people can be liberated. Do you recall what God sent Moses to tell Pharaoh? He told him to tell Pharaoh to 'let my go so that they can come out' and worship me' [for a change]! Do you get it, just as Pharaoh did, many of our ministers today have turned God's people into their personal slaves!
And what was Pharaoh's reply, similar to some of our ministers of today? He said, Who is God that I should obey his voice? Do I have animus? I like to think of it as zeal for the house of the Lord, the kind that the prophets and Jesus had for the house of the Lord! To be completed...
Peace & Grace
Rev. C. Solomon
'Apples of Gold in Pictures of Silver'
www.sealofabraham.blogspot.com
Addenda: Speaking of Rolls', the Rev has a joke.
Apparently on one of the Papal visits, the Pope having tired of being chauffeured around in his Pope Mobile, decided that he wanted to drive a car like regular folks. So he jumped into the car, and ordered the protesting chauffeur
into the back seat of the limousine so that he could drive himself.
The Pope was apparently heavy of foot, and while he was speeding through the back roads of the town, a police officer noticed the expensive car speeding down the road; so he pulled it and its occupants over. Once he looked inside of
the car, he was shocked to see who its occupants were. He just as
quickly ran and called the Chief of Police. Chief he said, I just
pulled over a car that was speeding in my jurisdiction
and I don't what to do because there is a
very important person in the
backseat of the car.
The Chief wondering who it could be given that the officer was reluctant to cite him. The Chief asked is it the President, the governor or the mayor? And for each one of them the officer said no. The exasperated Chief asked, then who is
it? The officer replied, I don't know who it is
on the backseat, however the Pope is his
chauffeur!
apples of gold in pictures of silver. {Prov 25:11}
Some cannot wait to be a pastor!
Is there any wonder why?
For the same spirit of greed that is
destroying our nation, is also
destroying our churches!
-----------------------------------------
I was so impressed with the self-deprecating pastor and the word that I heard spoken, earlier today:
My compliments to pastor Larry A Vold, the Senior Pastor of this wonderful church that I visited today in Castro Valley California, The Neighborhood Church/The Church of the Three Crosses. Dr. Vold asked his congregation a rhetorical question during one point in his sermon. He asked, how many viewed their pastor as a servant?
He admitted that oftentimes he and other pastors and ministers universally, had forgotten the role that they were chosen to fill. Some he said have become demanding, proud and unforgiving. The pastor even confessed himself and to God his personal failures, for oftentimes he recognized that occasionally he fell into the same trap. He even acknowledged that unlike the many parishioners in his church, 20% who did the majority of the work at this mega church, that for all of the work he was doing, he [and the paid staff] was being compensated by the people!
He went on to admit that he had entered into self-inquiry, asking himself - where is the service in that? He included an accompanying text in today's message, the subject of the sermon was 'Serving', that was taken from Mark the 10th chapter, beginning at verse 35):
The accompanying text:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
10:35 James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came near to him, saying, "Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we will ask." [compare]
10:36 He said to them, "What do you want me to do for you?" [compare]
10:37 They said to him, "Grant to us that we may sit, one at your right hand, and one at your left hand, in your glory." [compare]
10:38 But Jesus said to them, "You don't know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?" [compare]
10:39 They said to him, "We are able." Jesus said to them, "You shall indeed drink the cup that I drink, and you shall be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with; [compare]
10:40 but to sit at my right hand and at my left hand is not mine to give, but for whom it has been prepared." [compare]
10:41 When the ten heard it, they began to be indignant towards James and John. [compare]
10:42 Jesus summoned them, and said to them, "You know that they who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. [compare]
10:43 But it shall not be so among you, but whoever wants to become great among you shall be your servant. [compare]
10:44 Whoever of you wants to become first among you, shall be bondservant of all.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I. Many of Today's Ministers Attitudes: We want you to do for us whatever we will ask:
Given my previous posts,it should be obvious why this portion of the pastor's sermon resonated with me. My flesh felt vindicated given a confirmation of a trend that I have been observing in pulpits of late; even among minister associates of my mine!
And more importantly here was a confirmation that what I had been observing lately, was in fact true.
II. But it shall not be so among you!
And praise God, here was a minister, with a doctorate no less, who made it clear, that like two of Jesus' disciples (along with their mother)were; that many ministers and pastors today have become just as confused, selfish and opportunistic as these three had become.
The Human factor is still alive and well in too many of today's pulpits. How many of us have served under tyrannically greedy and power-hungry ministers who see the church as their personal 'cash cow' and throne of power? I have seen and served under some of this kind who were no less than bullies. No one would ever have confused them with being 'a servant' of the church, and some not even a servant of God. Why?
For many of them, it seemed that they were on an even par with God as opposed to being God's or the people's servant minister. They always sat in the 'high places', and seemingly enjoyed the adulation that was derived from God's people. On many occasions they would wade through the crowds that would stand each time that they entered upon their thrones, in their resplendent pulpit regalia or Brooks Brothers suits!
I challenge you to answer the question that this pastor posed, how do you view your pastor? Have you ever got the sense that he or she was 'a servant'? For if he or she is not serving you as Jesus taught that his servants would do, then he or she is not serving God either.
III. Examples of What I Want You To Do:
A couple of decades ago, I visited a pastor's weeklong appreciation service in the City of Oakland California. These kind of services were and still are customary in many of America's African-American churches. For a week, the pastor and his wife enjoy a side respite, where they are placed in courtly chairs, while each night of the week the incumbent church and visiting churches come and pay homage for the work that they have done at their respective parishes.
Er herm, now which week was it that Jesus and the Apostles were retired, so that the disciples could fatten them up and treat them like royalty? God didn't rest until the Sabbath, after his work was completed!
Pay, however, was the operative word! The real objective of these meetings was and is to raise as much money as possible for the pastor and his wife. The churches that were invited were expected to bring large sums of monies, and the favor would be returned when the receiving pastor and wife, brought their congregations on a return visit (to each of the churches that visited them during their Anniversary Fund-Raiser), in order to give that pastor and his wife a financial payback; 501(c)3?
Now keep in mind that these events are held on an annualized basis, and everyone keeps track, because you must raise more money for each additional Anniversary year. Their would be banners posted, and it would be frequently announced, that this is the pastor's umpteenth anniversary.
How much money was customarily raised during one of these weekly appreciation services today? A whole lot. How much is raised today in one of these charades? I couldn't tell you because I don't attend any of them anymore - during my term as pastor - I asked the church to never engage in such ostentation on my behalf!
IV. And what is wrong with a church showing a pastor appreciation for his service?
Back in the early 1970's the excessive sums of money raised during one of these weekly services, totaled, cumulatively, upwards of $20K for one week. Some services went beyond a single week, and lasted into the next week - you had to keep the money, I mean the Spirit rolling!
In addition to the exorbitant sums that were raised during that one week, some pastors during their appreciation weeks receive automobiles (Bishop T.D. Jakes a Rolls of late), suits and other accoutrement. You have driven by some of these churches with their modest memberships, yet you would be stunned to know that some of these ministers were raking in the big bucks even thirty years ago.
The Rolls, Mercedes, Cadillac or BMW sitting out front in the 'pastor's marked spot was not placed there by the Tooth Fairy. Many of these fella's were rolling in the moolah, while their members languished in poverty. So where did the members get the additional money (more on that later) to hand over to their pastors? Many would spend months ahead of time, having been told to do so in order to raise money for the pastor's appreciation no less by the pastor himself.
Sell some barbecue, chicken dinners, hold car washes, do whatever you have to do, but you had better raise me some money - because I am worthy of it, some were heard to say! I have heard pastors set a quota for each member to come up with and give during the Appreciation Service. I was also aware that some of these individuals on fixed income could simply not afford to give what they were giving, but they did it anyway!
At the church appreciation that I visited on the first night of an anniversary service in Oakland California, the pastor who was supposed to be silent during the week along with his wife, stood up to announce that he was putting the first one thousand dollar amount into his own offering.
This kickback scheme was obviously done to play upon the guilt of everyone who attend the service, and to ensure that on subsequent nights a minimum of $1K would be raised. Let's just call it raising the bar or priming the pump. Trust me, more than $1K would be raised on that and successive nights.
Now if you were to consider the average household income during the 70's, the per capita income of the average black family was less than $14K per year easily. And as a side note, today the per capita income of many families in America, some of whom attend churches where this practice is still going on, still hovers in the less than $15K per annum category!
If you don't believe me check the census! Oh and by the way, the pastor didn't really put anything into his own offering, that he would not get back by the end of Anniversary week. I recall one pastor who when I offered to carry his briefcase that was full of money, at week's end; he told me "NO", I will carry that! I wouldn't steal his money! The visiting pastor's technically did not put anything into their friend's offerings, given that they would be reimbursed once their appreciation service took place later that year, if it hadn't already taken place!
V. Show Me The Money:
In addition to the appreciation services, these pastors customarily received remuneration from their fleeced flocks, customarily tithes (often 100% of the tithes that came into the church belonged to the pastor). And, on certain Sundays, the third Sunday for example, all of the monies raised that day belonged to the pastor.
Now folks, these examples are minor in comparison to the million dollar and other 6-figure pastor-entrepreneurs that call themselves pastors today. Now don't get me wrong, for the problem doesn't stop with money being raised alone. Many of these wealthy religious icons demand to be treated as celebrities or royalty in 'their churches'. Many demand to be called Bishop, The Right Reverend, The Most Reverend, Buhtros Buhtros Gali - just kidding with the last one.
With respect to the rest, no I am not kidding, ministers that have 12 members; and as one 40-year tenured Bishop said, those who purchased their chest crosses from the local Korean store - demand to be called BISHOP!
They also demand that the people serve them instead of the other way around. Some of these Daddy Grace, Father Divine and AA Allen ministers have to be pampered and catered to, and sadly every church has members who are only too willing to put the pastor and his wife up on a pedestal and to treat them in a manner that Jesus and the Apostles refused.
If a member of the church needed something from one of these ministers like prayer for example, or a hospital or a home visit - these ministers would send one of 'their people' to do the ministering, rather than leave the golf course, or their luxury homes to attend to and pray for the sick themselves!
In fact, some members know not to call Others feel unworthy to go and call upon their rich and upper-middle class ministers, who they couldn't get through the gates in the communities where they reside anyway, if they were to attempt to come to touch the hem of their minister's garment in order to be healed. Many parishioners feel unworthy to have their 'overpaid' and overly powerful ministers to grace the doorsteps in the low to lower-middle communities where they reside.
And sadly there are those members who prop their ministers, because they are living vicariously through their ministers and their wives. They are typically the ones who are doing fairly well themselves, or the ones who have a close relationship with the pastor and his wife who allow them to come to the palace, and passes a hand-me-down to them; one that they could never afford on occasion!
VI. The Gentiles lord it over them: In Jesus' time, he spoke of the hireling minister in comparison to the serving man of God. For after all what does the word minister mean folks? Ministers are expected to serve, to put to;\, it was never intended in God's church to be any other way. In too many of today's churches, the members are serving the minister. Have you kissed your minister's ring lately?
Now this does not mean that God's ministers should be abused or on demand 24/7, for they shouldn't be abused particularly the one's who are serving as God intended, and there are many of them! Still there are those who wouldn't allow you to abuse their time anyway! You couldn't get through the secretary-gatekeeper or find them at 50,000 feet anyway (in the jet that you paid for).
Besides, you would be surprised to find out where they are were when they are unable to be located. Where? Customarily they are resting. From what? The taxing 25 minute sermon that they preached on Sunday morning! Don't taze me bro, for all of them are not so inclined - but many aren't doing anything, but enjoy the life of 'the rich, the famous and the powerful'!
Conclusion: What is my motive in writing?
You sound as if you have a lot of animus and unresolved anger Reverend Solomon. Frankly, some of these power-inducing and money-making ministries need to be shut down, so that God's people can be liberated. Do you recall what God sent Moses to tell Pharaoh? He told him to tell Pharaoh to 'let my go so that they can come out' and worship me' [for a change]! Do you get it, just as Pharaoh did, many of our ministers today have turned God's people into their personal slaves!
And what was Pharaoh's reply, similar to some of our ministers of today? He said, Who is God that I should obey his voice? Do I have animus? I like to think of it as zeal for the house of the Lord, the kind that the prophets and Jesus had for the house of the Lord! To be completed...
Peace & Grace
Rev. C. Solomon
'Apples of Gold in Pictures of Silver'
www.sealofabraham.blogspot.com
Addenda: Speaking of Rolls', the Rev has a joke.
Apparently on one of the Papal visits, the Pope having tired of being chauffeured around in his Pope Mobile, decided that he wanted to drive a car like regular folks. So he jumped into the car, and ordered the protesting chauffeur
into the back seat of the limousine so that he could drive himself.
The Pope was apparently heavy of foot, and while he was speeding through the back roads of the town, a police officer noticed the expensive car speeding down the road; so he pulled it and its occupants over. Once he looked inside of
the car, he was shocked to see who its occupants were. He just as
quickly ran and called the Chief of Police. Chief he said, I just
pulled over a car that was speeding in my jurisdiction
and I don't what to do because there is a
very important person in the
backseat of the car.
The Chief wondering who it could be given that the officer was reluctant to cite him. The Chief asked is it the President, the governor or the mayor? And for each one of them the officer said no. The exasperated Chief asked, then who is
it? The officer replied, I don't know who it is
on the backseat, however the Pope is his
chauffeur!
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