Category: Blog Posts

It’s Juneteenth. What’s the big deal? Well, if you aren’t aware, June 19, 1865 is the day that the enslaved persons in Texas learned they were free; some two and a half years after the declaration of the Emancipation Proclamation. Juneteenth, or Emancipation Day, has been celebrated in Texas since 1866 and over the years many states have adopted the celebration of this event. Most recently, President Biden signed into law that Juneteenth be celebrated as a Federal Holiday.

Certainly, this is an exciting time in America’s History to recognize the historicity of this event. However, I have conflicting feelings. Not because this day shouldn’t be celebrated, but my concern is similar to how I feel about MLK Day (see my post from January 2020) or really any other commemorative holiday we celebrate in the US. Is this just going to be another day off or of time and a half wages? Or are we really going to commemorate the meaning of this event? And what is the meaning of this event? The knowledge of freedom, actual freedom? I attended an event last night in which Dr. Marvin Dunn, educator, author, social activist, and elder cautioned us not to get to caught up in celebrating Juneteenth without understanding what it meant for blacks in 1865. He reminded us that though the enslaved we legally free, they still did not have equality and the same rights as their white counterparts. Many remained on the plantations of their slave masters because they had nowhere to go and/or no resources to leave on their own. Slavery was no longer legal, and on Juneteenth all the blacks knew about it, but they were still not totally free in this country. Dr. Dunn encouraged us to take what we know of our history and continue to do the work that is need to strive for equity (i.e. voting rights).

Today, we can certainly celebrate steps toward freedom, but as Christians, let us remember that our real freedom is in Christ! I am reminded of Galatians 5:1 – “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Because of Christ and our believe in him, we are free indeed! We are still fighting against chains and bondage in this world, but despite our worldly circumstance, we are free in Christ! Continue the good fight for justice, because it’s needed! But always remember no matter how long it takes or what the outcomes are along the way, you can stand firm because you are still free in Christ!

Today all over the country we are remembering the legacy of the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. But what is the point in remembering? Hear me out… Dr. King lived a life that ended up being highlighted in mainstream media. He was known for Civil Rights, Social Justice, and Non-violent protests. Many quote his sayings, speeches, and sermons. Many wear pins to honor him and his work. Many movies have been made about his life. Stevie Wonder even wrote a song to wish him happy birthday (which many of us sing today in lieu of the traditional version). Churches and organizations across the nation gather this weekend to celebrate the man and commemorate his life’s work. And as of recently, many choose to volunteer on MLK observance following the leading of the Obama’s push that today is not a day off but a day on. But why are we doing all this?

Anyone who knows me or has worked alongside me in ministry knows I cannot stand two things: 1) when we do things “because we’ve always done it that way” and 2) when we do things with no purpose. These two go hand-in-hand really, but the point is why are we doing community service, holding banquets, giving out scholarships, reading, writing, etc.? One may argue it’s because we need to remember his sacrifice and his work… fair. Another may argue so we can teach our youth from which we came… also fair. But in all this teaching and honoring, are we really living out his legacy? I’m sure if Dr. King were alive today, he’d tell us to take the same energy we are putting into planning the activities for this one weekend and use it to fight for the cause dearest to his heart: social justice.

Dr. King’s picture is often depicted as a meme next to a popular Bible verse, Amos 5:24, which reads: “But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!” Theologically speaking, this verse is a call for social justice; a call for God’s people to honor him by doing something for him. God is just and righteous and will judge those who oppose him. Justice and righteousness should be ever-flowing, not relegated to a moment in time. Dr. King believed in social justice for all. And I believe he would want those of us who believe in the same cause to continue fighting for it! The weekend events are wonderful, but what are we doing the other 362/3 days of the year?

Through The Ten Commandments, God called his people Israel to remember how he brought them out of Egypt, but He also called them to worship and obey Him. As Christians, when we come to the communion table, we are called to remember Christ’s atonement for our sins, but we are also called to repent, examine ourselves, and turn away from our sinful ways. Each Sunday we gather to remember the resurrection (yes, every Sunday, not just Easter… but that’s another blog post), but we are also called to share the gospel with others. Remembering goes beyond a recollection of thought. A call to remember is a call to action. If we are going to spend time and energy remembering Dr. King, I believe, then, we are called to the cause in which he lost his life: social justice. This MLK weekend, don’t just remember the man and what he did, take action in your community, in your state and beyond. Continue the fight because the war is not over! Otherwise, there’s no point in remembering at all!

Scripture Reference: Matthew 14:22-33

Exactly one year ago today, I made one of the most difficult decisions I have ever made in my life: I resigned from a 12 and a half year career in retail management. It was one of the hardest, but also one of the best decisions I have ever made. Though I worked for a great company, had excellent benefits and was paid well, I wasn’t fulfilled (goes to show money really isn’t everything). I had felt a tug on my heart for years to leave the hustle and bustle of retail behind and engage in work that was more impactful to humanity. I had a growing passion for serving others and engaging in ministry; and a quickly diminishing passion for retail profits and customer satisfaction. Not that the latter wasn’t important, it was just no longer my assignment. (I must give credit where it is due – I received a word about kingdom assignments watching a Bible Study on periscope with Pastor Duante Duckett, New Kingdom Faith Christian Church of Severn, MD. That word helped me to understand the feelings I had were intended to help move me in the direction in which God was calling me. Thank you, Pastor Duckett, for letting God use you to help me!)

I felt God telling me to move out of where I was positioned, but I was honestly afraid. There were too many unknowns, and quite frankly I didn’t have much of a plan. I just knew I wanted to focus more on ministry, and more on my calling. I undoubtedly had many fears, but I heard the voice of God loud and clear say, “I can’t position you where I want you until you move from where you think you’re supposed to be.” I remember asking God what will I do for work? How will I pay the mortgage on this house I JUST purchased? Again, God’s voice was loud and clear, “Trust me. I have already provided for you without your knowing. I will continue to provide for you.” I’m reminded of the story when the disciples were on the boat and saw Jesus walking on water. Like Peter in that narrative, I said, “Lord, if it’s you… tell me to come to you…” (Matt. 14:28); and He did.

So I did just that, I chose to walk with God. I put all fear aside and decided to take a leap of faith. On the journey, however, I found myself on the sea, seemingly by myself, with wind blowing all around me. I was officially out of work – and by “choice” might I add, yet I still had to pay for school, keep up with the non-stop bills, and maintain my home. I was in search of ministry-related positions, but I either wasn’t qualified, or they just didn’t exist. The financial resources were starting to slip away. I became nervous, and like Peter, I started to sink. It got to a point where I too cried out, “Lord, save me.” (Matt. 14:30). And just as Jesus told Peter, he also convicted me: “You of little faith… why did you doubt?” (Matt. 14:31).

In life we will come to a point where God is calling us to join Him in His work. We will reach a crossroad where we come to what Henry Blackaby coins a crisis of belief. This is a point where you must demonstrate faith and action. The assignment won’t be easy and the decision to follow Him will push you all the way out of your comfort zone. Blackaby says “what you do next says what you believe about God.” I had come to my crisis of belief. I was at a crossroad where I could continue to look for fulfilling work, or I could go back to what I was most comfortable with. But I knew my action would represent my faith. God told me to trust Him, and trusting often means we must walk where God is telling us to walk even when we can’t see what’s ahead.

So I made the decision to walk by faith. Once I did, I stopped sinking! God did what He does best: showed up and showed out! Not only did I get a job where I am working in the community advocating and helping those in need, but God has provided in more ways than I could have ever imagined! Just in case you’re wondering, the bills get paid each month, I’m still in school, and the LORD continues to provide!

I pray my testimony encourages you to trust God even more and to walk with Him even when the road is cloudy, curvy, or even dark! Storms will come, winds will blow, but Jesus is continually asking you to follow Him. When the winds blow, what will you do? Blow away? Sink? Or walk?

 

A former college professor of mine used to always say that we lived in a “laissez-faire” racist society. What she meant was racism was allowed to exist in a subtle, hidden manner. Laissez-faire racism existed in the form of affirmative action, on the job, at school, etc. I personally had not experienced said racism, or so I thought…

As I grew into adulthood, I saw this concept evidenced more and more in society. Though many of my white, male friends and acquaintances may disagree, there is a such thing as white privilege. I have been witness to instances where women and minorities have had to defend themselves simply because of what they look like. I have personally witnessed women and minorities having to work a little harder than their male counterparts to get a promotion at work. I’ve seen persons of color be judged before they open their mouths.

More recently (and by recent I mean since the election of a bi-racial man to the office of President of the United States), laissez-faire racism has seemed to materialize in the form of “freedom of speech.” I’m all about folk expressing themselves and stating what they choose to believe – but I find it quite concerning when people take what they claim as their right to physically display bigotry, hatred and injustice.

Like many, I was extremely disturbed by the events that took place in Charlottesville, VA this weekend. Not just because a white-supremacist, neo-Nazi group was allowed to assemble to display bigotry and hatred; not just because someone was killed and many others hurt; not just because this country’s own president initially refused to call the crime what it was; but because these “protestors” thought is was OK to bring weapons to what was supposed to be a peaceful event. Because these “protestors” wanted their opportunity to stand up for what they believe in, yet the people who opposed their hatred and bigotry were denied their right to stand. “Freedom of Speech” has allowed persons to show their true colors – to show their hate and disdain toward others who don’t think, look, or act like them. It’s allowed people to demonstrate their pure, unadulterated hatred toward other human beings who don’t believe in what they believe.

Quite frankly, I’m tired of it all! I’m tired of it being OK to for one group to promote hatred and another group to be condemned for thinking differently. I’m tired of the double-standards in American Society. I’m sick of feeling like because I am a black female I have to walk around on eggshells so I don’t get labeled. I’m tired of having to justify the actions of my people while others get to parade around foolishly under a bill of right. I’m probably most ticked-off at the people who do all of this foolishness in the name of Christ as if he would approve!

I know events like these (it’s sad we have seen so many in the last 8 years), are heartbreaking and sad. Any I know many of you are tired of speaking up and speaking out against the injustices, but we can’t stop. The reality is – the opposing voices won’t stop and will make sure they are heard – LOUD and CLEAR! So we’ve got to do the same!

My charge to you (and myself)? Ask God how he wants you to join him in his work! Maybe he will lead you to get involved and active in your community. Maybe he’s equipped you with a resource or talent you can use to better society. Whatever it may be, don’t be discouraged by the giants around you, remember, you are already a victor!

 

As many gather across this great nation to commemorate the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., I have had some time to reflect on what he and many others fought for during the Civil Rights Era. I’ve had some time to reflect on those who fought for the rights I have today. I’ve considered the protests made in the past 50 years: racial integration, desegregation, gender equality, and a push for all to be accepted regardless of race, religion, creed, sexual orientation, gender, and sexual identity. In addition to the progress we’ve made, I’ve also thought about the many steps we’ve taken back as a nation and as a people. I read the tabloids, watch the news and simply observe acquaintances, colleagues, and friends as they comment on the political, social and economic disparities in this great nation we call America. I can’t help but wonder, especially on today, if that dream Dr. King spoke about… you know, the one where he says that he has a dream that one day his four children will live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character… has been realized. I can’t help but to reflect on and think about the amount of hate crimes committed towards the LGBTQ community. I’m not talking about someone refusing to marry a gay couple, but I’m talking about the Orlando shooting and the countless number of transgender persons killed for no reason other than their sexual identity. I can’t help but to think about the number of videos I have seen in the past five years depicting cops mistreating persons of color. I can’t help but to further think how even though said cops were brought to trial, some walked away with a not guilty verdict… despite what they physical evidence showed. I can’t help but to think of the disrespect shown to our current president simply because of who he is – an African American man. And quiet as its kept, I can’t help but to think of the video I saw last week of several black men torturing a white man because Donald Trump is our incoming president.

Some say we live in a post-racial society. I’m not sure I even know what that term really means, but what I can say is this… today, January 16, 2017, we still live in a society that is full of bigotry, hate, greed and racial injustice. We would be ignorant to think that our differences don’t play a factor in how we treat each other. This great nation of ours was built on the very differences we have. Our differences have been embedded into our constitution. Though many laws have been put in place to help close the divide between white males and every other person in America, we continue the need to create laws and policies that give persons who look differently a fighting chance. When I think about Dr. King and his dream, I can’t help but to think we have come a long way, but we still have a long way to go. We don’t live in a “post-racial” society and I’m not sure we ever will. So long as we are different, there will always be someone uncomfortable enough to express their discomfort in a way that is hurtful, harmful, and disrespectful.

Differences have shaped not only American culture and society, but society all over the world. Differences and a person’s ignorance and intolerance toward them have existed as long as humans have walked the earth. Christ himself came in the form of someone different – someone who challenged the status quo. Had he not been different, he wouldn’t have had haters that nailed him to the cross. Jesus knew he would not be accepted by all, yet he continued to fight to save humanity. Despite the shortcomings of His creation, he fought to complete his assignment as savior of the world.

I don’t have all the answers on how to solve our divide problem in the US, but one thing I am certain of is that we cannot ignore it. We cannot ignore it and we cannot give up fighting for the just causes we believe in. There is a lot we can learn from the ministry of Christ, and from the life of Dr. King. Perhaps the biggest and most appropriate lesson for today is standing up for what we believe to be just and true. I believe Dr. King’s dream is the byproduct of a just cause he knew he was assigned to. Let’s not ignore the racial, social and economic divides in our country. Let’s not be so self-centered that we neglect our brothers and sisters who dwell among us. Let’s not be so full of hatred and animosity that we commit acts of hate toward persons with whom we don’t agree. Instead, let’s look for the ways we can truly work together to make society better than before!