1 Corinthian 13:4-8a (NIV)
Good morning Pastors and Ministry Leaders! Tonight as you watch or listen to President Obama when he presents his jobs speech before the nation and entertain the post speech responses, I ask you to consider and reflect on two things: (1) Can you recall what it felt like as a Shepherd, leader, Minister, when those who were with you became against you, when the vision the Lord gave to you was questioned, or had a time when like David you placed your trust in the Lord and ask that you “not be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me”?; and, (2) Do we – Black folk, we’uns, us’, you and me - have an insult bar? How high, how low should it be?
I was privileged to work with Reverend Kip Banks, Dr. Alan Hand and others on the Resolutions Committee for the 50th Anniversary celebration of the Progressive National Baptist Convention, Inc. Presented in August were 20 position statements with one of note titled “The Disrespect of President Barack Obama”. Since its passage, I have taken this resolution (see below) now to the National Primitive Baptist Convention, Inc. (thank you Elder Harris), the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. (thank you Sister Burkhalter and Reverend Drs. Bland, Fordham, Gable, Young where I am currently attending in Orlando), and submitted it to the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church (thank you Reverend Dr. Brown and King) in preparation for the annual gathering at the end of this month. Why am I doing this? Because somewhere along the way some people, who have access to dollars and/or media outlets, have become too comfortable with the silence of those of us who minister the “greater gift” of love.
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
What does this mean? Charles Koch (pronounced Coke) has stated that the 2012 elections will be “the mother of all wars.” But before we deal with 2012, we are obligated to address rhetoric, propaganda, insults and out-right lies in the remainder of 2011 starting with tonight’s speech on jobs. The Koch brothers, reported to be worth over $22 billion, own Georgia-Pacific paper and pulp company, maker of "Brawny" paper towels, "Angel Soft" toilet paper, "Mardi Gras" napkins and towels, "Quilted Northern" toilet paper and paper towels, "Dixie" paper plates, bowls, napkins and cups, "Sparkle" paper towels, and "Vanity Fair" paper napkins, bowls, plates and tablecloths. At a recent million dollar donor fundraiser, it is reported by Mother Jones Magazine that Charles, who coordinated in 2010 the donations of $1 million dollars each from 32 donors and is now recruiting $10 million dollar donors, welcomed his guest by declaring “We have Saddam Hussein” in reference to President Obama. But the Lord declared on his day of birth that we have Barack which means “blessing”!
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Why should African Americans care? We are a people of faith walkers! The historic 2008 voter turnout among African Americans was not a statement of impatience, that the “deliverer” had arrived, that we were sacrificing the process for the product, or a demonstration of an inability to make informed, wise, thoughtful decisions about who best represents our interest in good public policy. It was a clear values statement of trust, hope and dignity from and for: 18% of African American children receiving Social Security survivor benefits[1]; 3.9 million African Americans who when last reported in 2006 are on Medicare[2]; for African Americans who make up 24% of Medicaid recipients[3]; for the homeless veterans with 56% being African American[4]); for 20% of the federal employee workforce who are African American; for the 16.2% of the unemployment population that is African American[6]); and the 7.4 million (22.5% of the total) African American families served by the US governmental Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program [SNAP], formerly known as food stamps[7].
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
Why should African American faith leaders care? Our leadership is under attack! No longer covert, racism/classism/elitism is thriving while many are holding “real men” conferences, “Save Black Men and Boys” forums, preaching about the role of the Black man as the head of household, and building “male dominated” congregations. The holder of the highest office in this country, the nation’s leader, the Commander In Chief, a Black man is being attacked racially, politically, personally. It should be unacceptable!
When Congressmen John Boehner (OH) and Eric Cantor (VA) imply they should “discuss what the speech should say” that the President of the United States will deliver on Thursday evening - whether you are preparing to preach or speak - they are essentially saying “leader” you are not smart enough. Unacceptable!
When Congressman Paul Brown (GA), who tweeted but did not attend the State Of the Union, announced he will not attend (but sit in his office) the President’s speech on one of the most important concerns of the nation - whether you are going to stand at the pulpit in a place of worship or at a podium in the nation’s Capital - he is saying essentially “leader” you are not good enough. Unacceptable!
It always protects, always trust always hopes, always perseveres.
What is the motivation for action? When we continue to patronize corporations such as AT&T and Wal-Mart who provide millions of dollars to pro-corporate groups such as ALEC (American Legislative Exchange Council, see www.rightwingwatch.org) who write model legislation such as voter identification laws to suppress our right to vote, they are hearing we have no problem being stewards of our own disenfranchisement, disempowerment, disenchantments, disrespect. We need to say through our voices and our votes, unacceptable for “the devil is a liar”!
Love never fails.”
What can Pastors and Ministry leaders (you) do? Public Policy →Pulpit→Pews→People→Polls=Power in 2012! © The “greater gift” is love! It is what motivates us to “overcome evil with good.” Pray for President Obama, all members of Congress and those elected officials in the state houses and the Governor mansions, those who spew hate, division, insensitivity, racism and classism and elitism to make better, acceptable decisions about what they say and how they speak about a Black man, about Black men.
· 1 of 5 = PUBLIC POLICY – This is a “Teachable Moment”! SPEAK UP after tonight’s speech on jobs Pastor, Preacher, Minister, Bishop, Elder, Teacher, Evangelist, Doc for a patient love. No matter what, we must, as Disciples of Christ, communicate “what man meant for evil (spreading confusion, misinformation, planting seeds of doubt, fear, frustration, their own insecurities wrapped in dollars bills), God meant for good.” This is about good stewardship and social justice. Allow 5 minutes on the topic during Bible study, leadership meetings, Sunday announcement readings to educate, raise awareness and empower.
· 2 of 5 = PULPIT– This is a “Prophetic Moment”! SPEAK UP after tonight’s speech on jobs for a kind love required at this moment in time and write immediately a personal, congregational, denominational, alliance letter, note, statement to your members of Congress expressing your support for a paradigm that recognizes one size does not fit all when it comes to addressing fulfillment of the basic need for Americans and more specifically America’s vulnerable populations. Share your hope for what is good and what is just.
· 3 of 5 = PEW – This is a “Discerning Moment”! SPEAK UP after tonight’s speech on jobs for a protecting love so that those who hear your voice (salt and light) and seek with you godly wisdom and strength will understand a responsibility to faithfully, actively advocate as those who “walk by faith and not by sight”.
· 4 of 5 = PEOPLE – This is a “No Excuse Moment”! SPEAK UP after tonight’s speech on jobs for a rejoicing love constantly and consistently for and on the issue to your membership, your congregation through your church/house of worship website, Facebook page, twitter, blog, text, monthly newsletters, Saturday-Sunday program/bulletin/remarks/preached word so that the right power of loving self and those who would do harm and the right power of the love of the Good News prevail.
· 5 of 5 = POWER – This is a “Courageous Moment”! SPEAK UP after tonight’s jobs speech for a love that will not fail in places and before faces where your position might not be received warmly or even understood. But you are a part of a movement guided by the “greater gift”. Take the risk, take a step of courage and write (using the sample resolution language below) an letter to the editor, a letter for your faith/denominational/alliance newsletter, a letter to “haters” and show the real faces of Black men – father’s, uncles, sons, brothers, grandfathers, godfathers, etc. - who know what it truly means to be “patient in affliction” , to “love thy neighbor as thyself”, and to stand in these challenging economic times with “faith, hope and love. But the greater of these is love.”
I believe in the power of prayer, the power of this body of progressive, prophetic voices and the power of your presence in conversations and debates about the respect of Black men! As a sister of nine brothers, I want to thank you for lifting your voice and becoming a part of a revived movement, ministry of love. The “mother of all wars” of words, perceptions, influence, elections will be won by the Father of all that is great and small. If I can be of further assistance, including helping to put your statement out, do not hesitate to call upon me. In the meantime, may the Lord continue to bless you and your ministries along with this ministry of civic engagement and social justice.
The information above along with media tracking tactics and topics by conservatives below is provided to: (1) inform progressive, courageous faith leaders; (2) strengthen the communication capacity of progressive, courageous faith leaders on critical issues impacting nation, state, city, pews; (3) encourage empathy; (4) affirm with progressive, courageous faith leaders that “greater is He who is in me then he who is in the world.”; and (5) inspire action by progressive, courageous faith leaders to share, write, preach, teach, speak truth with power. Trust. Believe.
Thank you Leslie Malachi
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